I bought this '94 850 wagon last fall from a non-volvo dealer. At the time, the A/C was relatively cold. Now, just before summer, the A/C is not cold at all. I'm thinking these guys gave it a freon charge just before the sale.

So, I'm having trouble figuring out the best and most cost-efficient process for getting this A/C fixed. Before this car, I had a 740 and wasted alot of money with new charges and new evaporator and still had little success. I'd like to avoid that here.

I went to bay 13 and see that if it's another evaporator problem, I'm in for alot of work because the dash needs to be ripped out. I have a local cooling system guy, but I don't want to have him pulling apart my volvo.

Any thoughts on the best way to get this job done without breaking the bank?

I too had this problem with my wife's 96 850T (with black leather interior--get's pretty hot in there). I am not an expert, or a mechanic, but after reading all threads on this subject (Search for A/C) you'll get a pretty good list of what to do. I just did mine with helpful posts from MrSha & Chris who posted to your question--the keys to my success was was following simple directions, and I had an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer that let me measure the air temp coming out of the vents. Radio Shack or Target has them for about $10

1. I had done the recharge thing over last 2 summers. Each time lasted between 4-6 months. Each time the dealer ($100), then the local oil change shop ($59) told me they put in 1.6lbs (25.6 oz). Over winter, I assume all freon leaked out because it blew hot air only when I used this spring. My assumption only.

2. Bot the recharge kit with the pressure guage. Had a 14oz can that had 12oz R134 and 2oz of oil. I also bot a 2nd can of 134 freon.

3. To find the low side pressure guage, open hood, standing at front of car, it's on the left front--about 4" behind the passenger head light and below where you add windshield fluid. It's a cap that says 6n or something on it. Unscrew it. Mine has some plastic thing that makes sure it doesn't fall off when it's unscrewed.

4. It's like a tire valve. With engine on you can get your starting pressure with the quick-clamp on over the valve and the pressure guage on the other side of the hose. BE CAREFUL HOWEVER--THE BELTS ARE TURNING RIGHT NEAR WHERE YOUR HAND IS.

5. With car on and A/C on, my pressure registered around just over 0. SO I assumed the freon had leaked out. Chris' post in April explains more how the system works and what the pressure means--it's important but not totally accurate. The guage says "20-40" is charged. Below isn't , above is too high. You want to be in the low range of the charged area.

6. Next, take off the pressure guage and screw on the piercing valve thing to the hose. Making sure the piercing valve is in UP position. When you screw on the can of FREON to the valve, you don't want the nail thing to pierce the can---yet.

7. Now hook/connect the hose to the low pressure valve, the freon can is screwed on tight to the valve, the engine is running, with the A/C on. At this time, turn the handle on the valve to pierce into the freon can...and then unscrew. This pierces the 134 can, then withdraws the pin so the freon will flow OUT of the can, through the hose, and into the A/C System. Keep the can upright so 134a gas comes out. Someone posted that if you turn it upside down, it will turn to liquid.

8. After doing that, I could hear the A/C Compressor run longer instead of just cycling on/off, and the air started getting cooler. When I started, the temp from the vents was in the 80s...it didn't come down much at first.

9. After 1 can, I checked the pressure and it was around 20 on the low side when the compressor was working, up to low 40s when it wasn't. The air was cooler, but not much improvement. Drove it for a week, and was not satisfied.

10. I figured that I only had in 12oz, when it really is supposed to hold 25.6 oz. so I took the risk and added another can. Other posts will tell you you don't really know how much is in there unless you take it out and weigh it, I figured if I was completely out, I could put in under 25.6 and probably be OK. With 12 in, I decided to add the other 12 so I'd have put in 24...hoping I didn't overcharge it.

11. On a not day, I did whole thing again with 2nd can, this time however, the vent temp started coming down much better. Went from the 80's to 70s, to 60's then 50's and even got to the low 40's. I stopped the freon can, and shook it and felt like some still in there. Now the compressor was running the whole time since it was hot outside. I took the pressure with the guage and it was still in the low 20's. I stopped at that point because I have heard from others it's better to have an undercharged system than overcharged system.

12. It worked. On the one hand my wife thinks I'm a dork because I left the thermometer in the car to secretly gloat how cold the air is coming out of the vents--on the other hand, she loves the cold air and and that I fixed it. So far so good.

If your cooling guy is reasonable, you can find out exactly where it is leaking out (evaporator is obviously likely).

They might've given it a squirt before they sold it to you, or maybe it finally just started leaking. It has to start somewhere. If it isn't a gusher, you could recharge the system yourself like Mrsha said. Just be careful that you don't overdo it.
--
1992 940 wagon, 72k
make people envious; smile frequently.

dclinard,
If you are new to 850, they were/are famous for evaporator failures. The system back then used the new R134a refrigerent not R12. Your choice is to have the expensive evaporator replacement or re-charge only. Re-charging only works providing you have a very slow leak. I have re-charged my 850 every early summer for the last three years. I have a very slow leak that holds a charge for approx 6 months. I'm too cheap to spend the big bucks on an evaporator replacement. BTW, some jurisdictions do not allow re-charging by law. For example here in Ontario, it is illegal to re-charge a system (auto,home,refrigerator) with a known leak. Yes, I break the law every time I re-charge.

Go to Costco or Walmart and get a rechager kit for $25.00 and charge it up it will last for a year or 2 than do it again .. don't spend the money to fix the evaportor problem it will come back again we all know. this....


that what we all do here fast quick cheap.. no headed... unless you are on off those who want everything to be perfect than paid the price... cost around $1500... I fix mine 2 time at dealer and up with same problem... why do it again...



if you do recharge do not over charge it 2 can max no more....