I have been noticing that my AC wasn't putting out cold air consistently. It would start out cold then go to warm. So I would shut it down and open the windows. I would recharge it but it didn't seam to help for very long. I was under the car washing off the road grime and oil etc and I noticed that the paint was lifting from the accumulator bottle. I scraped the paint off and found a lot of rust and green oil oozing from the side of the bottle. I removed the bottle and the bracket from the car. I had to disconnect the inlet line to the compressor because I couldn't get a wrench on the hose fitting. The whole thing fell out the bottom after freeing the hose from other hoses. I found out that the rust originated from the bracket touching the side of the bottle, getting salt, water and other contaminants between the two steel surfaces.
I'm posting this as to inform others of a potential reason for AC failure.
I also found that the accumulator was over full with oil and there wasn't much room for 134A refrigerant. I think that the accumulator needs replacing around this age anyway. The car has over 200000 miles . My next project, odometer gear replacement. With the Brickboard here and my Haynes book I can fix anything on these cars.
What goes around, comes around ! Happy motoring every one !!!
rkmacman 96 850 turbo, 98 V70XC