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V 70 AC -not working

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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rsp
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Year and Model: 2012 S60
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Re: V 70 AC -not working

Post by rsp »

I just completed my quest to fix ac in my 95 850 bought with 330,000 miles. As with many 850s on the road, the ac in place was "windows down". Basically the fix was EVERYTHING. I needed to replace the compressor bearing, evaporator, condensor, accumulator, orifice tube and every seal. The hoses were fine. Works great now.

Advice: ac repair is not as doing a brake job. To diagnose and repair an ac system requires knowledge about not only how the system works but why it's not working! If you do not want to invest the time and energy to learn the technical stuff, take to a shop, pay the price and avoid the hassle and frustration. Or choose the path of others, open all the windows.

This recommendation is not intended to slam anyone but just a general recommendation. Going into my efforts on this project I knew a bunch about ac. I now know a whole bunch more! It was frustrating at times but it's great to wear a sweater in July if you wish:)

Molibius
Posts: 24
Joined: 24 June 2013
Year and Model: V70 1998
Location: Toronto

Post by Molibius »

And you are perfectly right, I should learn the "staff" only I am kind of lazy. On the other hand I was looking for some help here on this forum. I just guess that my problem is not exactly straight forward, and needs somebody with knowledge and trouble shouting skills, and preferably - access to my car.
But anyway, what could make one pipe cold and the other one warm ?
From your experience, what would you say ?

P.S. long long time ago, I did work as mechanic in Germany, and the way things work there :
we did replace everything, to make sure. And guess what - no problemo all was working.
So maybe I should do same in my car ?

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

The orfice tube is in the high pressure side tube, just before the evap core. Right at the orfice tube high pressure refrigerant expands and cools. That cold refrigerant runs through the evap core an picks up heat from the cabin and returns as warm low pressure refrigerant in the other tube.

One cold tube, one warm tube.
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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Molibius
Posts: 24
Joined: 24 June 2013
Year and Model: V70 1998
Location: Toronto

Post by Molibius »

Ok, so why the AC is not producing cold enough air ? Because of the leak and low level of refrigerant ?

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abscate
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Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
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Post by abscate »

Any leak in an AC system will kill it.

1 air is compressible and will ruin the gas-to-liquid cycle essential for the cooling effect

2 water in the air getting into the system will corrode components quickly,
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
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