I tried charging the AC with one of those $30 kits from Autozone. (the kit worked great on my 91 Aerostar beater van by the way) I had 2 cans left after topping off the van, and thought i'd try charging the AC in the 89 740GL. After most of the first can was in, the AC clicked on a couple times, but the whole time I was putting refrigerant in, there was a hissing sound from the drivers side, near the headlight. Pretty fast hiss too. lots of refrigerant escaping.

Is there a common problem area back there? I'm assuming it's the evaporator, or a hose leading to it. Maybe it was a bit lower than the headlight, but it was in that area.

There's an AC-Radiator shop in the city that patched the radiator in my old Mercedes for $40. I could take it there for evaluation I suppose.

Any advise, similar stories, etc.. appreciated.

-Rob

The leak sounds like it's coming from your compressor which is drivers side front. You can buy refrigerant with a fluorescent coloured dye in it. The bright yellow color makes it pretty easy to spot the leak. If you're lucky it's just the o ring seal - they are apparently the cause of most leaks.
Some good AC info here
http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/VolvoR134Conversion/R134ConversionPage1.htm

It didn't sound like it was from the compressor.

It's a VERY large leak. It was coming out as fast as I could put it in. If it's an O-ring, the O-ring would have to be missing to leak like that. I'll see if I can get at the condenser. any leads on a source for a new one? (other than $tealership)

Thanks

-Sealover

Hey Rob,

There's lots of aftermarket places for Volvos. I don't know if IPD has condensers, but try www.fcpgroton.com or other Volvo parts links on this forum. There's one called "Volvoworld" as well as others. Also, you could try a local rad/A/C place....
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 289K km and '91 745 NA, 374K km.

Hey CW. get back to your Acura board, boy!

Fancy seeing you here!

(this is THEEE CW from halifax right?)

-Sealover
PS. IPD doesn't have them. I'm thinking I should pull it out first and look. maybe it's just a connection or something. or like someone said, the tube leading to it. if that can be repaired... good :)

Hey Rob,

Yes, this is I :) Acura Vigors rule!!!! LOL =D

Ok, good luck with the condenser, hopefully it's something simple! Go Volvo!
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '91 745Ti, 289K km and '91 745 NA, 374K km.

That area is the condenser and my money is on the junction where the steel bracket is located.

Dont patch it just get another from a yard, its not worth the hassle factor. You will however need to replace the receiver/dryer and evacuate the entire system and if the system was R12 and never converted it will also need the oil changed over to PAG or ester to be compatable with R134


Brandon

oops. condenser not evaporator. thank you for catching my mistake.

Is this common? I'd hate to pull one from a yard and have it have the same problem.

yards around here are "supposed" to evacuate the systems before putting the car in the yard, so finding one with a charge (and thus no leaks) will be difficult. I'll see what I can find.

thanks

-Rob

The steel bracket cause corrosion at the aluminum condenser interface. Frankly, I think it is better (given the cost of a receiver dryer and the refrigerant) to buy a new aftermarket condenser then obtain a yard used model.