2003 V70 24T How to stop leak in AC Receiver/Drier?

Post by **abscate** » 14 Jun 2015, 17:47

If it is a car you need 2-3 more years out of it, then skip the pump down. Save your AC for when truly needed. If it's a 5 year plus car or if AC is used daily, have Volvo do it

One hour labor plus materials or 100 bucks about right.

bbeels · Post by **bbeels** » 18 Jun 2015, 02:12

The first few days that I was driving I noticed that the air cooled for a while and then didn’t seem to hold. The days were in the mid and high nineties and when the car was first driven, or driven after a few hours parked, the air worked, but going somewhere, dining or shopping and then returning, the return trip wasn’t blowing cool.

I decided to give the system a rest and just used the other car for the daily use.

This evening, I checked the low side pressure with the AC Pro gauge and while the compressor was cycling, the needle showed to fluctuate between 25 and 55 psi. This was consistently in the green on the dial, so that looked good.

I left the car running for twenty minutes with a temperature gauge in the vent. Eventually it got down to 53’ so I figured I should drive a bit to see if it waned or not.

I went a couple of miles and sure enough, the temp went up to about 65’.

It would seem that something isn’t yet quite right.

I had thought that the fluid that originally dripped out had been the 134a but I wasn’t aware of the oil that is in that system. Now I’m wondering if it was the oil and the best option would be to go ahead to the dealer and have them do the evacuation and recharge. Their “service coupon” mentions that they will check for leaks, so if the bolt needs better seating, that should hopefully be included. They do add a charge for the freon and dye, so we’ll see if the added cost is reasonable. I need to be sure they include the oil.

We do typically have the A/C running all the time, so as you, abscate, mention I shouldn’t try to let that slide. I don’t have what I would need to do an evacuation myself, and am not sure that I would feel confident doing it.

I think by taking it in I can be sure that I’m establishing a clean baseline to how the system should be.

I’m glad to know that the DIY recharge kits are available and will certainly expect to use them in the future. This has been an adventure.

bbeels · Post by **bbeels** » 19 Jun 2015, 12:12

I did go to Volvo to get the evacuation and recharge and when they gave the car back the air wasn’t any better.

I returned it to them and they kept it overnight and gave me a loaner.

I just called and they say that the pipe going to the receiver drier needs to be replaced , but will call me back once they know what that will entail.

What he did say was that the bumper would have to come off to change the pipe.

As I just did the radiator replacement, I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t need to remove that bumper to get to the area.

Has anyone done this type of work? I really don’t want to pull the radiator again, but certainly can.

Just got the call. They are quoting 600.00 to get this done.

It’s looking like doing it myself may be the way to go, but would like any opinions on it.

I would go in through the radiator direction as a first thought.

Has anyone pulled a bumper off a 2003 V70?

If Volvo can do it for that price, it wouldn’t seem to be massively difficult.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Post by **vtl** » 19 Jun 2015, 12:50

Bumper removal is supereasy on V70: http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthrea ... post183151

This is XC70. Our 2002 V70 does not have two M10 bolts in front part of bumper, you need to remove only 7 or so plastic rivets at top, two rivets at bottom in wheel arch area, then unscrew two screws and push the back to release plastic retainer plates.

Did it so many times, can remove/install now just under 10 minutes.

Post by **abscate** » 19 Jun 2015, 14:01

Get me the part number and I'll look up the procedure on alldata.

600 Is probably a fair price all in.

For the 2005 V70 all data doesn't call for bumper removal for either the drier or condensor hose R/R

bbeels · Post by **bbeels** » 19 Jun 2015, 16:42

Hi abscate, The number of the part is 6848898 0 for the pipe. It what the bolt goes into. They also ordered an o ring for the upper connection. I figure that the o ring that I just got is still going to be fine for the bottom. Volvo does say they would need to remove the bumper, and I know that the lower bolt is accessible, maybe they want to take it off to make the upper one easier to get to.
If you can send me the procedure from alldata that would be a great help.

bbeels · Post by **bbeels** » 19 Jun 2015, 16:50

VTL, are those rivets the type that has the little button in the middle that lets them release?

That does look like a snap! I might take it off just to clean any debris that might be there.

Post by **vtl** » 19 Jun 2015, 19:04

Yes, this type: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-plastic-rivet

bbeels · Post by **bbeels** » 19 Jun 2015, 23:43

Yes, I looked under the hood and those are the rivets! It does look like it is pretty simple to remove the bumper. Oddly, when the dealer was giving me the quote, the phrase "we have to remove the bumper" was said like it would be time consuming and arduous task, kind of like unbolting part of the frame. Rather than returning to the dealer, I do have a local mechanic that I've used before who can evacuate the A/C and install the part, so I may remove the bumper before I take the car to him just to make the area easier to access. The parts won't be in till Wednesday, so I have some time to get the procedure and see what's entailed.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jun 2015, 07:05

I'll check alldata this am

2003 V70 24T How to stop leak in AC Receiver/Drier?

Re: 2003 V70 24T How to stop leak in AC Receiver/Drier?