Hello all,

I recently attempted a closed system conversion to R134a on my Volvo 240 1989. I know that 'ideally' a retrofit for this car should include the dryer and the evaporator, but it has worked for others to simply evacuate and refill with R134a. Here is my story. Please respond with ideas on what could be wrong with my system, and why the high pressure...

I located the low connector, behind the compressor, to the left as seated in drivers seat. Actually, it is also under the large hose that appears to go to the evaporator. OK. My adaptor fit nicely and I screwed it on, it looked like it sealed well. The 'high' adaptor would not fit, it seems like it needs a wider one. For now, who cares, either way I do not need it to fill up the system.

I proceeded by checking existing pressure to empty out the system. I connected the hose, valve, and my pressure guage. after opening the valve, it seemd to be zero. I closed the valve, unscrewed the pressure guage, and then re-opend the valve. Indeed, nothing came out but a very minor 'pss'. So much for that. I went to the high connector that I also have on my dryer. I used my key and pushed in the center pin (remember the adaptor did not work). 'Pss', and that was it. The system seemd empty. OK.

I then reconnected the hose back to the low end at the compressor. I started the car, left it in idle, turned on the fan, and the AC knob to 6 o'clock. I started with one of the cans containing 11oz R134a and 2 oz oil. Opened the valve. A faint 'hissing' sound as the contents of the can started entering my system. After a couple of seconds, the compressor clicked ON. YES! I was happy to see that worked. After 10 seconds I felt the air comping out of my vents and it was getting cool. I was happy. At least I knew the system was alive, to start. I decided to wait about 1 minute for the can to empty out. I was not sure how long I should wait, but remember hearing that somewhere. The can then felt light. I closed the valve, and unscrewed the can. There was still some pressure left in the can, 'PSSS' for a good 3 seconds. Wow, I figured I would wait longer on the next can.

I preceeded again with the can containing 11 oz R134a and 2 oz oil. Same as before, the air seemed cool, nice, the triguring of the compressor seemd very erratic. It was on for 1 second, then off for a while then on again spuratically, in a few short bursts, weird... I figured the system probably just needed to work and all mix together with whatever residual was there... I waited about three minutes, the air was not as cool as before, in fact getting back to regular temp... hmmm. I figured the system needed the last can, since I lost some from the first can and from fighting to connect the hose. I unscrewed the can, and to my amazement 'Pssss' for a good 3-4 seconds. Hmm, weird I figured, why is it taking so long to empty out. At this point the air was no longer cold, the compressor wasn't turning on much, very spuratic.

I connected the last can. Same steps as in the previous can. Same outcomes, same air, slightly cool, but not sure. very little compressor triguring... Again, pressure left over in the can. I figured I would let the system be for a while, go get a drink and come back out in 20 minutes. I did that, and again the air was not cold, and the compressor would not go on. Hmmm.

I then decided to connect my pressure guage and see what the pressure was, thinking maybe I had not had the hose on well and it was leaking out or something, or that there was a major leak. 155 PSI! Yes, 155 PSI! What? What is this? Why so much pressure? Isn't it supposed to be between 30 and 38 PSI? Though not exact, I put roughly the correct amounts of coolant (in oz). I went through the instructions, and it said if the guage is in the RED (100-200 PSI)then you are probably on the high port or something else is wrong. I don't think I am on the high port.

I decided to let out the pressure. After a few minutes of 'Psss', I got it down to 30 PSI. The compressor was very spuratically turning on during the pressure release... At the end, it still was not really going on at all, and the air was not cool.

I am now stuck. What went wrong? Could I have been on the wrong port? Is the system clogged? Is there a fuse to run the compressor? Where is it, I could not find one on the fuse panel. Do you think I damaged anything?

Frankly, I am somewhat upset. It seemed at the start like it was going to work. If the system was really able to sustain so much pressure, then I probably do not have a leak either. What do you think? How should I proceed?