Spring is just a few days away and I was just wondering if the A/C has to be "charged" and what exactly does that mean? What is involved and what does it cost and is it required etc.

Thanks

the guy with the 1993 and 1997 is on the right track but you just dont charge 3x a year unless you need it.apparently on his volvos,he needs it because he has major leaks.

you dont charge unless you need it and you only need it if it is not cooling properly.get a cheap accurate thermometer and check the outlet air temps when the a/c is pumping out the max.the air temps should be between 40-50F.if outside this range,then you have problems and probably needs charging or if too cold it may need discharging.

auto a/c are prone to leaks because of the heavy vibrations and shocks they get by just driving the car in and around some of these potholes.these systems are not like your home a/c that just sits there and does its job without any abuse.

i agree with the other guy that it is not rocket science and if your volvo needs recharging then a kit is easy to use.just be sure you find the "low" side and not the "high" side.but i think by now they have different size connectors that make it foolproof.

if you want to be a pro then invest in some gages so you dont overcharge or undercharge the system.i wish i would have bought mine 30yrs ago.

good luck.
a bsme w/hvac experience

Go to a autoparts store and look for a a/ recharge kit, should
be about 25 bucks, It comes with a can of r134a, a pressure gauge
and the hardware to recharge your a/c, as far as knowing if it needs
to be recharged is based on the temp that comes out of the vents
and if it cycles a lot.

My 93 850 leaks r134a, I charge 3 times a year and it keeps me nice and
cool, the cans cost about 6 bucks I usally get two cans,

Pop the hood, the charge location should have a yellow cap with
r134a on it back left area of the engine compartment (READ THE DIRECTIONS)
on the kit,

a shop usally charges 100 bucks, not sure what they do for that
other than what the $25 kit can do, perhaps than drain the system
first.

My a/c has failed due to the horrible volvo design but the kit gets
me through the really hot months

> the charge location should have a yellow cap with
> r134a on it back left area of the engine

NO. The 850 low-side charge point is just aft of the passenger side headlight. The cap is black and marked with a torque rating (7 NM).


> a shop usally charges 100 bucks, not sure what they do for that
> other than what the $25 kit can do, perhaps than drain the system
> first.

A shop will do the job most correctly by evacuating the old freon and replacing it with a *measured* amount of new freon. Your recharge approach will work, but it's impossible to get it perfect with only a low pressure guage.

Gerald C

Gerald,

thanks for the low side tip,
I am no a/c pro, as stated read the directions

there is no way I am going to invest in 1500 a/c repair
for a 93 850 that is only worth 4000 at the most,

recharge 3x a year is working great for me