Dear Brick Owners,

Got lots of advice-thanks. Here is what I've learned.

My A/C shop will fix the car, but he wants to put in ONLY Volvo original parts- says after-market stuff isn't as good as original parts.

He has been in car A/C forty years- and has worked on all models- many Volvos. Says 134a doesn't cool as well as R-12. He advises not to convert- due to several problems- higher pressure system, smaller molecules, less efficient coolant- and he is aware of huge air volume in a 245.

My vehicle is currently R-12 and I've been told 91-93 years has same A/C parts.

Fellow brick owners have stated After-market products OK. I've found out Frigidare makes evaporator for Volvo- according to parts store- new original equipment is $491.25 cents. Local Volvo store will order and wants $790.65 cents.

Just bought Volvo repair book from Amazon.com- big one- 500+ pages- here in about a week. At least I'll know more on next project.

Here is what I've decided-

I won't do job myself, the after-market prices are LOTS lower than "original" manufacturer- is original that much better and should I go to another A/C shop.

This shop and guy seem to be fair, trustworthy- he stated he expected to find lots of dye when he opens her up- behind firewall for evaporator.

Questions- does anyone have suggestions on cheapest original equipment- in my case an evaporator?

Opinions on original vs after-market? And is new A/C shop advisable?

PS this shop is busy as hell.

Regards,

Rick 92, DL, 245 Wagon with 134,000