89 240 with strange AC problem

[Volvo_240_Atari_2600]

1989 245 non turbo
US Model located in Florida
Automatic Transmission
244k on the odometer

AC problem

Compressor known to have a leak since 2004
Still run the original R12
2004 compressor was very low… Recharged with I believe 3-4 lbs
Nov. 2009 I had compressor topped off with less than 1 lb of R12

I have been having an intermittent problem with my AC in my 240 since the last week of February.

Since the last week of February, my car seemed to have no Freon as it was blowing air that was NOT cold but cool.

There have been days in between where the AC seemed to blow a little colder.

Yesterday at 5PM on a 77-degree afternoon, the AC was ice cold and I was surprised. Drove the car for about 30 minutes and the temperature was great.

Today, we are back to cool to warm air.

Before I take it somewhere what should I look for? I was already preparing myself for the expense of a rebuilt compressor on line but not sure what else may need to be checked for repair or replacement. Could it not necessarily be Freon and maybe electrical?

When I turn on the AC, you can feel the load from the engine compartment as it normally does in any car and when I turn it off, you can feel and hear the load come off from the engine as it would run normally w/o the AC engaged.

One guy quoted me over the phone about $700/$800 for a compressor, oil, o-rings and dryer.

I will have someone do the work but if I can diagnose or give the tech an educated comment on what the problem may be, I can save the trouble of being robbed and pick up the parts myself.

Thanks

[Volvo_240_Atari_2600]

Update and any input is greatly appreciated.

Remember we had a harsh winter this year and here in Florida, we had some unusually cold weeks with no end in sight.
During this winter I did run the heater more so than the AC or no AC.

That said... I called a local AC shop today and explained my situation that I recently had the R12 topped of at about a lb or less in November-December and now, the end of February-beginning of March I have NO air-conditioning, however for (an empty system) how am I able to get cold air (rare occurrence) and I do not mean at 6AM when the outside air temperature is cool.

The guy said I should take the car to a Volvo specialized shop. Both our local Independent Volvo mechanics are closed on Saturdays.

Make a long story short, he said that my problem is probably not a drained system due to leak but a stuck door of some sort between switching from AC to heat.

One other thing I must mention is this:
Late last year after making a 2 hr drive to Clearwater from Orlando back in October I noticed that the COLD air would become COOL air and barely ice cold after about an hour into the drive.
Why is that?

Apparently when I took the car for service, thinking it was almost empty, the guys said that the compressor was still pretty well equipped with Freon and only added just under a lb.


Could this be a problem with the (heat-Cold air) switch? or a vacuum problem? Is this something relatively easy to fix on your own as I really do not want to face the expense of major AC overhaul if the system has a slow leak that has only lost under a lb. in about 5 years since I had it almost completely filled?

Thanks
Eric

[Volvo_240_Atari_2600]

Sorry to bump my own thread but just wanted to know if anyone knows what this may be.
This so called "door" between heat and ac mode.

Thanks
Eric

[cattledog]

Sounds to me like you may have a bad expansion valve.
There is a temperature tube/sensor mounted to it (capillary tube) and perhaps that's causing faulty regulation of freon.
I've done a fair amount of those in the past....just can't remember the exact symptoms, sorry.

[Volvofix1]

First of all ,I would tell you to convert the system to 134a. You can get a compressor with high and low side fittings or buy a low side splice with a fitting. Untill you are able to connect A/C guages to both fittings it is impossible to determine if the expansion valve is bad. Don't waste $ on r12 unless you have access to a recycle machine for that gas.There is no blend door in that system, once it converted to 134a it is easy to leak test and evaluate problems. WE are in Florida and do LOTS of A/C service and it will work well if properly done. Go to Advance Auto parts and look in the A/C paper book for 4 Seasons #14950 part Autozone may also be able to help. Our parts come from Cold Air Distributors who won,t sell to individuals.Dick K.