I have been taking care of my ac during the cold months running it to make sure all is well with the system. Last year put in a new compresser and condensor. Now the compreser is alternating on and off and very little cold air coming out.
Did a 600 mile juant this week and all was fine and this weekend it starts going haywire. Where do I look first?
Thanks to one and all
Poolman

Hey Poolman,
Your description of rapid cycling and poor performance is pretty much a text book description of low on refrigerant. My preffered way of finding leaks in R-134 cars is to charge them up and put in a little UV dye. Advise the customer that when the cooling performance falls off to come see me and we will finish diagnosing it. Unless you have a gross obvious leak it is kind of hit and miss to find the small ones with the electronic leak detectors and when you do find it with the dye you will have an obvious visual indicator. Unless you are set up to do this kind of work you are going to have to take it in to someone who is. Your other option is to feed it a can of 134 and see if it likes it and how long it takes for it to leak out again.

Mark

Unfortunately if the dye reveals nothing, then a likely culprit by process of elimination is the evaporator.
--
John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 115K

Is the receiver still getting real cool? If so probably the charge is OK.

Any sounds of sucking air either in the central part or right side? If so pehaps one of those infamous bellows has caused the vacuum system to be overwhelmed by developing a huge leak.

If there was a problem in the control unit it would probably blink the A/C light. You can retreive trouble codes from it if there is a sensor of electrical problem.

Good Luck.
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 204HP cams, 126K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

Mr Bowers, how did it go with the ellows push, pull. my ac still quits on acceleration, but after about two years i'm used to it because no one has the answer. seems a common thing for 960's

The first thing to try is the check valve as they are very easily changed. If the system changes quickly on acceleration you probably have a bellows or other leak. If it changes slowly on acceleration, my first guess is the check valve.

If the air just stops coming from the dash vents it is probably the dual acting bellows in the center. If the recirculated air function is involved, the problem will only happen when the system is in recirculate mode.

I haven't gone back into my car again. I'm waiting for some check valves and fasteners for the bellows. Dealer had to call Volvo to get part numbers.
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 204HP cams, 126K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

The problem is with the brand new condensor--The shop that put her back together after hitting the deer back over a year ago, didn't queit get the condensor reinstalled ,to the point, the blame thing was moving just enough to rub a small hole in it and out went my freon.
This is going to be expensive I belive. Anything I can do to fix the one I have now?
Thanks
Poolman

IF, the hole is in a part that has some thickness to it and its dimensions aren't critical you could possibly get someone skilled in aluminum fabrication to "heli-arc" weld it up.

My son needed an aluminum part on his boat fixed. He located a couple places that did that kind of work and just showed up at the door and managed to talk them into welding it up for him.

Just an idea. (I assume the location with the hole is aluminum.)
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 204HP cams, 126K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

Just got back from the shop, talked the same idea about heilearcing the condensor, the part is so thin that the heat would screw it up.
Would this alumi rod stuff with a tourch work?
Thanks all
Poolman

I've fixed a few of my own a/c systems with that alumi rod stuff. In it's application that stuff is great.

Mark

Poolman,

The pressures in the system can get as high as something like 538 psi on these R134a systems (ask me how I know). I suggest contacting a good, reputable radiator repair shop and asking them for a reference for someone who can repair a high pressure A/C condensor. It's got to be cheaper than replacing it with a new one and a used ine is very iffy.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

Thanks as always Dewfpo-I have a new condensor on the way now, it seems the only way out ,192.00, and the labor to put it in ,since I can't do this one myself ,and evacuate the system and all. Trapped like mice on the ship.
Well the rad and all needed to be flushed out as well ,so nows the time.
Thanks all.
Poolman

I would recommend a new receiver/dryer also as the system has gone to air. If there is moisture left in the system acids will develop and you be replacing other stuff sooner rather than later. Use a good shop that will put the right viscosity and amount of PAG oil in the system as well.
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 204HP cams, 126K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.