Alexei -

First of all I am a 240 R-12freon guy, so my answers are generic and not meant to describe your 850.

Second - did you also post on the AWD/FWD Forum? That's where the 850 folks hang out. You might get better info there.

Now, here's my generic thought about your car. The symptom is that which I have found to be very low refrigerant charge. Here's why: When the a/c is not being used for a certain period, the pressures in the high side and the low side equalize. The refrigerant distribution becomes even throughout the system.

The you kick on the compressor. The refrigerant in the system gets pumped up and does its work, but then it's all pumped up, and only air is left. That's when you get warm air out the vents. Shut it off, let the system equalize again, re-start, and you get the same thing.


Get a shop, - or if your car has a sight glass, DIY, - to check the charge level. Next thing is WHY a low charge? Gotta be a leak somewhere, and a good shop can find it. The shop that said the compressor is bad is not the one to return to, unless they sign a statement that if they do the replacement and the problem remains, they will give you a 100% refund. You Betcha!

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)