I am the second owner of this vehicle and there is no record indicating the a/c has been serviced. My wife is complaining constantly about its inability to work well. Where is a typically good place to take it for servicing and is there anything one can do to ungrade or improve the stock unit. thanks

If the AC has never been serviced since 1989, it might be about time. If it is still cooling some after all these years, I would guess that there is nothing drastically wrong with the system (assuming that nothing has change recently). You might be able to get by with just a "charge" of R12 and your wife will be shivering. That shouldn't cost too much -- an AC service charge and the charge for the R12. A small amunt of R12 as it is outrageously expensive.

Now, if there is the chance that the sytem has a significant leak, you definately want to investigate the R134a conversion as R134a is dirt cheap and R12 is very pricey. Of course, if you have a significant leak, you want to get it repaired either way.

My experience: the R12 air conditioning in our old 1988 245 was nothing to get excited over, but when it was in good repair, it was adequate for Houston, Texas. If yours is not up to snuff, it can be fixed. Just make sure that you either do your homework or search out an AC guy that knows what he's doing.

Good luck with it.

HH

Before '91 Volvo 240s had crappy air conditioning. There is an upgrade/retrofit kit that Volvo sells, I bought mine from FCP groton for $210.

It includes an upgraded evaporator core (from the looks of it the new design is much better), a new expansion valve (which I believe is configured for R134a), a new receiver drier, a new high pressure hose, o-rings, oil and maybe a few other goodies.

Very fair price in my estimation.

Some say that after the conversion their car is like a rolling icebox, I can't say mine is anything special, though. I struggle to get vent temps below 55 degrees.

I also added a 14" electric fan in front of the condenser. Definitely helps in slow or stopped traffic.

Start by making sure your condenser is clean and clear of road debris, gunk, etc. When the car is running with the AC on, take a look at the sight glass that is part of the receiver drier. (Look for the AC hose coming form the firewall on the pass. side of the car, follow it up to the black round thing near the radiator. This is the receiver drier)

Anyway, check out the sight glass for "air bubbles". It should be a solid "clear" liquid, with no real change in appearance. If you see bubbles or white foamy flow, then your system is probably undercharged. This applies to R12, and not so much if you have been convertd to R134a.

Good luck

-Steve