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buying used 850 How to tell if condenser has been replaced? 850

posted by  josh on  Wed Apr 13 15:45 CST 2005
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last visit: Mon Apr 9 10:20 CST 2001
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I plan on buying a used 850 from a shop that will replace CV boots, upper engine mount, rotors, pads and ABS module and timing belt. I've been a 240 guy for a long time. What are the other wear items that should be done?

Second part of this message is this:

How long typically after being purchased new have the AC condensors failed? Do they all tend to last a certain number of years?

I know this job is a major PITA and it bills at 10 hours of labor plus the part so it cost a lot. Is there any way to visually confirm a replaced condenser?

What am I missing seals, other bushings? Is the CV boot different from the CV joint?


Thanks for any help; they look like great cars I'm really trying to avoid a $1500 repair.

Josh








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    buying used 850 How to tell if condenser has been replaced? 850

    posted by  tina on  Thu Apr 14 10:44 CST 2005
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    last visit: Thu Nov 24 09:34 CST 2011
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    Other wear items

    You didn't mention the miles on this car... but;

    Since they are doing the timing belt, have the tensioner replaced too and consider replacing the water pump - mine sprang a leak at 235,000 miles and it is cheaper to replace while already in there for the timing belt.

    Also the fuel pump failed last year on my 850, with no warning - and that seems to be a common problem. Consider replacing it too while you're at it! Of course you coudl do that later, no savings by combining this replacement with the other work.








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      buying used 850 How to tell if condenser has been replaced? 850

      posted by  angel89 on  Thu Apr 14 16:56 CST 2005
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      Open the hood and look where the a/c hoses enter the firewall, if the white ring is still attached, then the a/c or evap has not been replaced. Just a heads up. hope it helps








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    buying used 850 How to tell if condenser has been replaced? 850

    posted by  fixit2003 on  Thu Apr 14 05:42 CST 2005
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    I believe you mean the dreaded 850 evaporator. That's the unit buried inside the dash. Hard to tell if it's been replaced. If the car has a cabin air intake filter installed it would greatly reduce the likelihood of this problem but then again if it is there you don't really know when it was retrofitted. Maybe you can leverage the dealer to install one of these if it's not present. I have a '95 and have had to replace both compressor hoses and the evap is still OK. Have the whole system charged and check for leaks. Or just replace these hoses first and cross your fingers. R134 coolant is not as cheap as it was last month!! Price has doubled. You mentioned the upper engine mount but the lower one in the "front" under the crank pulley on the passenger side needs to be checked also. It typically lasts 80-100k miles. The rear spring bumpers come loose. Be sure the transmision fluid is changed and the timing belt replacement interval has been kept. Good luck. There's lots of very good help here........








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    buying used 850 How to tell if condenser has been replaced? 850

    posted by  richink on  Thu Apr 14 01:10 CST 2005
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    last visit: Wed Dec 22 04:40 CST 2010
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    Hi Josh,

    850's have none of the nasty bushing/exhaust/wiring/fuel pump/hyper sensitive A/C and other various quirky issues including RUST or lack there of that 240's had. I take it then that the A/C is not working and the condensor is to blame. Wouldn't know on that one, all I've done is a compressor and one of the lines on mine.

    Just wanted to point out that an 850 is a very different/improved animal compared with a 240.

    --
    Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '95 855T 308k, '87 245 DL 405k, '82 242 GLT 121k - Volvo's are alive and well in Brampton!!!







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