.Actually, I think there's a high probability that you've got barrier >hoses on that A/C system you pulled from the '85. Volvo has always looked >to the American supply chain for A/C equipment. Was Detroit using barrier >hoses in the US market in 1985? You bet. Do you think that Volvo would >have spec'd an American expansion valve, heater control and condenser, >but a different style refrigerant hose? Probably not. Chances are, your >hoses are fine.

Makes me wonder if there are some American cars which have these same components, which shoudl be readily available, possibly cheaper?

> My A/C tech buddies at work tell me that they see refrigerant losses

> at leaky O rings, leaky connection fittings and leaks in the aluminum

> lines where they enter the condenser (the lines rub on the frame and

> perforate). Oh yeah, leaky evaporators

Is there any way to "leak test" the evap. before installing it?

> The only reason I'm replacing the accumulator/drier in my 240 is because

> it's 9 years old. Average useful life of a drier is about 5 years.

I understand the drier needs to be 134a compliant. For 1980-1989 200 series it is P/N 48604MD from Parker (Psrker-Hanefin?) available through www.ackits.com, $23 (incase anyone else is reading along...)

I already bought one from gapa.com, but it probably is R-12. If ever learn and get equuipped to recover R-12 myself, I'll swap it into my '86, which has its original R/D.

> The Volvo kit, which includes oil, o-rings (although no compressor

> rings) and a new drier goes for about $80. Not a bad deal. If you go

> to the 740 FAQ's, you'll find a link to a website where they've

> posted a copy of the R134a conversion manual. It's a good read.

I'll go find it. Thanks. Maybe I can slip throughthis process without becoming cert.

> Good luck, man...

Thanks. I begin career in some new technical area with these cars every summer....Pretty soon I'll walk over to The Yankee Trading Company and take a job restoring them!