Newbie here, I'm mostly a BMW/MB guy.
Bought a really clean one owner v 70 wagon for a commuter. Well cared for base 4 cyl with about 125k. Runs and drives well, excellent fuel economy, but...
I just cannot get happy with the AC. When the car was traded at our local Volvo store, the work order from the shop indicated that it needed a new AC compressor. It was working, but was leaking. In the interest of time and getting their warranty, I let them replace it. I do NOT see anything on the ticket about a dryer or expansion valve. It simply will not get that cold.Yes, the car is black and I'm in the south. However, I've had the windows nicely tinted, and as a comparison, will get nowhere as cold as my mother's s80 that's 2 years older and on the original compressor. Both temp controls must be run at max, even in only lightly warm conditions (for us, that's 80 degress or so). On the s80, you absolutely canot stay in the car with the temp controls at max. It's already been backfor one visit to the Volvo store, and guess what, it's working properly. Sure it is.
I just don't know anything about these cars, and wondered if you guys had experinece, or suggestions--are driers and expansion valves common failure itmes on these cars, or other items (hoses, etc). Any suggestion is appreciated. Did I mention it was hot here?

 

I have noticed one srrange thing--the left side vent is now blowing warm air. Do these systems mix warm and cold air in the HVAC system? Maybe I have a vaccum leak, or something similar? Thanks for any help you may give...

 

Allenman,

I can relate to the heat (I'm in your neighboring state to the west)... Anyway, I don't know a lot about this, but here's what little I can say.

I wouldn't think the problem would have to do with the drier since that takes moisture out of the system which (as far as I know) is to protect the compressor (water is incompressible). I'm not sure what would happen if the drier was filled to its capacity. I assume the moisture would continue through the system and damage the compressor. Regardless, it would be wise to replace the drier if the system is opened up.
The expansion valve definitely should have been replaced if the compressor had a failure that could have resulted in shards of metal or other debris moving through the system. That would clog up the valve.

The first thing I would check is make sure there is a full charge of refrigerant. If it's not fully charged it might be cool but not cold. Also, the evaporator is on the passenger side of the car, so the air that travels the farthest (i.e. to the driver's side) might warm up the most before leaving the vent, so if it was already cool it might be warm(?).
If there is a leak and they added a die to the system, you would be able to see a green glow under a UV light (I got a little pen light when I bought a re-charge kit).

Anyway, hopefully, tech will have some better solutions to check.
Good luck.

 

Try moving the control now to hot then back to cold and see if the air changes again.
What year is it?
BTW it is a 5 cylinder. All the V70's are 5 cylinder.

Where exactly are you located?

 

makes sense to me also. I can't imagine not replacing it with a new compressor. Now that I know the evap is on the right side, that makes me wonder about the left. It's going back once more tomorrow, then to our local independent. Aggravating, and it's supposed to be 101 here today.
Yeah, I knew it was a 5 cyl, sorry.

 

Yes it was pretty hot today!!!

Where in FLA. are you?