I have an S90 that has been losing refrigerant and is down to the point of nothing. I had a buddy tell me that it might be the input shaft seal on the compressor, but I didn't want to make that jump so readily. I was wondering if that is a common problem on these vehicles and if not what are the common issues with these A/C systems.

I bought a new receiver/drier and I have a set of gauges, I want to get his fixed b/c Tx is hell in the summer w/o A/C

 

Does it have dye in it? Have a UV light?

 

I don't have a UV light (does a household blacklight count lol), don't know if it has dye in it or not b/c it may be the original a/c charge. Car only has 74k on it. I was told that the shaft seals are likely to go if the car sits for long periods of time and that has definitely happened.

Any idea how much the system holds? I may just recharge it with some cheapo stuff and see if I can't find the leak.

 

That light probably will work. The charge should be there on a sticker, it holds I believe 2.1 lbs.

 

So I definitely started up the car and did not hear the compressor kick on at all. Put it on max A/C and tried to get a can of refrigerant in the service port near the receiver/drier and it wouldn't take, the receiver drier and the hoses coming from it were warm (I believe they are supposed to be cool being on the low pressure side).

Sounds like the compressor may be the problem. Anyone know how much one of those runs?

I also checked everywhere I could with my blacklight and I couldn't spot any UV dye (I have a sticker on the car that indicates the system already had dye in it) so I am at a loss as to where it's leaking from.

 

Well, I do not know about those cans very much to be honest with you, I would think the system should be in a vacuum.

You probably should go to a shop and get an evac & recharge, so they can put it in a vacuum and do it correctly. Maybe add some more dye.

 

I just got a look at the underside of the compressor and it has UV dye crust all over. Looks like it leaked out the front and the belt slung it all over the place. New compressor time!

Also the system should be in a vacuum if the compressor kicks on, but with some a lack of refrigerant I likely tripped the pressure safety switch and everything just stopped working b/c it turns the compressor off for safety reasons. That's why I couldn't even get the refrigerant to take, even tho the can is pressurized there was nothing to pull the refrigerant in.

 

yay!!!

 

I have little bit knowledge about car but not good knowledge. You take advice from any good mechanism, and do the service in every year at once. I am also doing same way to repair car but never take a dare to repair any parts of car by myself.