850 AC Condensor replace, PAG oil, other questions

[pherzmd]

I have not yet re-filled the refrigerant and tested it. I am going to take it to a shop to have them vacuum and then charge it. But first I have a few questions I am hoping someone could help with.

- I did not put any oil or anything in the condenser. None came out when I disconnected the lines from the old one. Do I need to add some? If so, what kind and how much?

-Coincidentally, we are having a relative cool spell and then in a couple days I will be on vacation for about 3 weeks and away from the car. Can anyone see any problem with waiting until after that time to get the system vacuumed and charged? Should I avoid driving it? Can't see how that would be an issue. I want to be around to continually monitor the AC performance after it gets charged to see what happens. I will keep the AC turned off.

Also, in that above earlier post I forgot to add that I had read up a lot on the common issue of compressor clutch failure caused by excessive gap. I don't think that is my car's issue, because a) the AC does not work intermittently or when I first turn it on - after I had it recharged it worked fine for a couple weeks then slowly the air coming out started to get warmer and warmer over many days; and b) with the motor running and the AC button on, I could see the clutch was not engaged, but even when I tapped it/pushed on it/leaned on it with a stick, it would not start turning. I suspect the low pressure in the refrigerant was preventing the compressor from being turned on.

[abscate]

Once you open the system up you should close it up and then evacuate to keep moisture out. Volvo says 24 hours is the timeframe for not-replacing the accumulator, so I would not wait three weeks. This was one of the reasons (running three old cars) I bought a vacuum pump and gauges from Harbor Freight so I can service this stuff quickly and save parts money.

Alldata says you should charge the condenser with 20 cubic cm, this is not very much - like a shampoo bottle capful. This is not rocket surgery, and doesn't have to be exact. I would err on the little bit too much than too little.

[pherzmd]

abscate - thanks so much. 20 cc's of what though? Can you point me to the site? Appreciated!

[abscate]

Sorry about that, I was addressing this..

- I did not put any oil or anything in the condenser. None came out when I disconnected the lines from the old one. Do I need to add some? If so, what kind and how much?

20 cubic centimeter of PAG oil. You have to order the right type based on your compressor brand/model- compatibility chart is at this link. I think Volvo uses Zexel compressors almost exclusively but you need to confirm this of course.

https://www.rtitech.com/downloads/News/ ... ressor.pdf

Alldata is a paid subscription service only - working on that, though.

[pherzmd]

Thanks abscate. I took it to a shop just now and they assured me that their machine adds the necessary oil. They vacuumed it, charged it, and it's blowing cold air now.

Real test will be if it is continuing to blow cold air a month from now!

[abscate]

Welcome and happy snow cones. Im proud of myself for getting seriously into AC for the first time last year, but jimmy57 is your guy if you get into it deep. We only use our AC for 4 weeks a year compared to TX of course!