Hope you find this story amusing, i dont know whether to laugh or cry.

Been driving up the motorway tonite and started to smell burning,pulled into a layby and popped the bonnet(still with engine running) smoke everywhere and loads of spark coming out of the compressor.

Phoned the aircon man told about £350 to fix, phoned the dealer i bought it from at home, he,d love to help me with the cost but his wife has run off with her lover and her 2 kids(one of which is a newborn) which it turns out are not the dealers but her lovers, and left him with his 5 kids and a huge mortgage and no money.

Now i am out of pocket and no dealer garuntee.

The dealer should have been laying-by with his wife when he was probably off in back of the shop popping his bonnet. Or did I miscontrue the anglicisms? Rich, take my advice, sell this machine for something more reliable and less expensive, such as a used Volga or a Dacia which at least have value as garden planters or fish sanctuaries when exhausted. The Volvo costs just enough to suck you into keeping it on the road. This is the curse of the sunk cost theory of life: "but I've already put so much into it!"

But Steve i really have sunk to much into it. more in the last 6wks than i did in 2yrs on my 760 turbo.

Ringlee, how COULD you?

Don't listen to the General. He doesn't know what a layby is. Last time he got to a roundabout, he went right. He's never been right since, and usually gets left out.

Sounds like a frozen AC compressor and the clutch is trying to engage. I had the same thing once on an old Volvo, had sparks flyin' outta the hood seam......

"...his wife has run off with her lover and her 2 kids..."

Geez, he doesn't know how lucky he is!

"...turns out are not the dealers but her lovers..."

Really, really lucky. He should quick move and change his name. Maybe get plastic surgery (to the face, the face) and become a cross dresser. Or maybe he already is.

"...left him with his 5 kids and a huge mortgage and no money. Now i am out of pocket and no dealer garuntee..."

I bet your dealer would love to swap places with you. Maybe YOU should change your name.

And to think.... last night you were worried about the engine block! HA!

I told you there would be other things that come up!

Let's get a few things straight.

#1. What is a "layby" and why were you driving on one?!

#2. Quit "Popping your Bonnet". I hear it is bad for your health, something about hair growth on the palms of you hands and blindness. I don't know, check with your doctor and/or clergy.

#3. There are several online dictionary's, specifically for translating Brit automotive terms, into American. I'll send you the links if you'd like. It may be helpful.

Ok, to the matter at hand... 350 pounds huh? What is that? About 8 or 900 USD? Sounds about right for a new Volvo pump. But I hear you can change only the clutch portion if you are so inclined. If you'd rather toss the old pump, try a used one. They are all crap. New or Used. Might as well save some poundage, you know?

There are plenty of resources on this board to find one used. Check around.

As always, the "how to" is plentiful and free of charge. Do IT Richard! Think how good you'll feel. It's not that difficult.

Rich, Don't cry mate! Summer is here and you still need the heater in the UK. So as long as you have heat you are good. I do feel sorry for the dealer though. :-)) Seriously! You don’t need AC in England I lived there for 24 years and can only remember it getting hot twice for a day or two and of course you have that cold breeze Year round, come rain or shine.