AC major overhaul

falconbrother · Post by **falconbrother** » 11 Mar 2011, 21:34

Last year I shimmed the compressor clutch in my 2000 V70. That only worked so so. Plus, I had a slow leak in the evaporator. I have decided that I'm just going to replace the compressor, the evaporator and the orifice tube. Plus, while I have the dash out I'm gonna replace the heater core. I didn't want a job this big but, I have no choice. A mechanic told me that it would cost well over two grand to fix this thing. I just refuse to pay that, especially since the reason I haven't fixed it yet is just pure laziness. I've got to get over to Harbor Freight and get a vacuum pump and the AC hoses to service the system when I get it all put together.

NJ95-850GLT · Post by **NJ95-850GLT** » 11 Mar 2011, 22:17

Don't forget about the Condenser as well as all of the compression joints... I'm an HVAC Tech for residential and commercial systems, Auto works on the same principals. Before investing the "Big Bucks" on a Vac-Pumps and tools, see if you can obtain an injectible dye for 134A and an Ultraviolet light, recharge the system and actually detect the point of the leak. Granted you have to have access to all of the components, coils, lines, and fittings to scan for a leak with ultraviolet detection, but you can save yourself some major $$$ if you just have a vibration rub hole in a hose.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 11 Mar 2011, 23:13

There are a couple of different Harbor Freight vacuum systems. One is an electric pump and the other works of of a venturi effect using an air compressor. I bought the latter and it didn't work worth a crap.

What does work for me is to hook up lines to intake ports on my air compressor with an in-line gauge and a shutoff valve between the gauge and the air compressor inlet. Price wise in parts it was about the same as the cheap Harbor Freight system but it actually works and I can monitor the system for leaks before I recharge it.

I'm sure you have seen it but member chuckcintron has the gold standard writeup for an evap change:

http://www.woodjoiner.com/volvo/

Anytime you open the system for more than a few hours you need to deal with (as in replace) the accumulator/receiver/filter/drier (all the same part but it is called different things) and it is often a source of leaks anyway. It is its own special nightmare to get off. I have not yet needed to deal with my condenser but if you continue to lose vacuum after changing everything else that is a logical place to look along with the lines as NJ95-850GLT suggested.

You will need to add PAG oil but the amount will vary based on what components you replace. The PAG oil weight will also vary based on what compressor you have.

...Lee

gilhuly · Post by **gilhuly** » 12 Mar 2011, 06:42

I think you're going to want to replace the reciever/drier bottle as well.

Post by **Fish stick88** » 12 Mar 2011, 08:04

I had the same issue. Just make sure that when you put the heater box back in it is in right. if any flap hits another one. you'll likely get a jam in it. Then when you are changing the flaps they will break against one another. I had a mechanic repair mine for a little over $ 400 in Iowa. When I took it back to him he thought it was my fault, so i took the entire dash out and showed him what the problem was. He then paid for parts, and fix/fix repairs. Best of Luck!!!

falconbrother · Post by **falconbrother** » 13 Mar 2011, 17:51

I had my car at a mechanic and he said the evap was leaking. I think he is right. He wanted well over 2 grand to do the job. I have priced all the parts, (evap, compressor, heater core and o rings, R134A, etc..). For the parts it's about 900 bucks. I need to get AC in this car soon. If mamma aint happy aint nobody happy. I started to just do the clutch shim version where the clutch plate comes off and the washers get ground, removed, whatever. But, with the work involved in that I can just replace the compressor and not worry with it. Plus, I still have the leaking evaporator. Last summer I was adding a can of freon every six weeks or so. Not too bad. But, this year it would probably be far worse. I have lots of work to do.

falconbrother · Post by **falconbrother** » 13 Mar 2011, 17:54

OH, by the way Ozark Lee, thanks for the pdf. That is awesome!

Post by **Fish stick88** » 14 Mar 2011, 16:46

[quote="falconbrother"]If mamma aint happy aint nobody happy.

Thats for sure, best of luck!