I trashed my A/C -- what next?

[abscate]

Help from Alldata on replacing PAG - Note comment on always adding at least 70 Ml on replacing compressor

[Ozark Lee]

It been a long time since I have posted but I gotta ask Lee, where are you getting the schrader valve for a $1. Today I have tried 3 local parts places including a NAPA and they dont have the valve as it different from anything else they have and I had to go dealer for it and the o ring that fits in the back of the compressor for the accumulator line. I hate ordering for something that seems simple but no one has it and after 15 minutes on hold with e-europarts this morning I just called my local Volvo dealer and ordered what I needed. O-ring $5 and Valve $8. As cheap or less that our fave on-line places once shipping is factored in.

I bought mine a NAPA but they didn't try to look it up based on the car. I removed the old one and took it into the store and the guy at the counter pulled out a plastic divider tray that had all varieties of them and we matched it up with one from the bin. Unfortunately that was several years ago so I doubt that I can find the receipt that would have the part number on it. I didn't replace the O ring since it seemed fine and it just seals the cap as I recall. Pressure never should get to the cap if the schrader valve is working properly. That was for the '99 V70 but I think they are all the same.

...Lee

[sleddriver]

Steve -- No pump and gauges.

This video describes the basic steps. Since there's no HIGH side port, you don't really need that section, just a low side gauge. You may be able to rent the vacuum pump as well.

[E Showell]

OK. So the forecast of lots of hot weather, feeling guilty about spewing freon into the atmosphere and the lingering suspicion that maybe things weren't so wrong after all and the lack of time to work on the car motivated me to ask my local independent to take a look see. He's got all the fancy equipment, so I supplied him with a new Schrader valve and o-ring. He replaced the valve, drew it down to 29.9 on the vacuum (it held), refilled PAG 46 and freon with dye. Looks like I've got no other leaks in the system and a functioning A/C system. The lack of a functioning A/C system (according to the seller) allowed me to negotiate $700 off the purchase price at the time. Total repair cost, about $150 including materials. I don't usually have this kind of luck so, yes, I bought a lottery ticket.

[scot850]

I hope I get that lucky when I get to that point with the latest project. Just hope you didn't steal all the positive luck!

Glad it went well and long may it continue!

Neil.

[JimBee]

I think the trickiest (and most critical) part is getting the oil right.

I'm going to post separately, but I have a seized compressor that should have had the right amount of oil delivered by the machine that "just knows how much it needs."
The machine is not mine. I couldn't get the old dryer disconnected so had the local shop do it, then (they said) they pumped down the system and the machine added the right amount of oil. That was last summer. I had cold air for about 7 weeks, then near the end of the season it went to cool and warm.

I let it be until last week, when I put a gauge on it and discovered it was a little low. So I added about half a can. wondering about the oil. At that point, I had no way of knowing how much oil was in the system and didn't want to start over. I should have taken it to a reputable dedicated A/C shop and had them do the pump down and refill. The clutch gap was wide though the clutch was cycling on-off. I shimmed it down to .012. As I proceeded to add some R134, it started to smoke and froze up.

Is there a moral here? I don't know. That car has more than 160K miles, maybe the compressor was naturally shot and just gave it up. I suspect the local shop's machine didn't get the oil right after the system was fully open and closed back up. I was suspicious of it then, but the techs assured me the machine knows how much oil is needed. I asked the shop manager how much his guys put it, he said, "what it calls for". He wouldn't give me an amount. I suspect they didn't add any to the new dryer, just set the machine....
When I went to pick up the car (last summer) after they'd replaced the dryer, I started the engine, drove about 3 feet and the union at the dryer blew apart with refrigerant and dye all over. They put it back together and it stayed together. Did they properly pump it down? Add oil for a new component?

There isn't any way to prove they did things wrong. This time around, I should have stage zeroed it with a dedicated shop. I eat this one.
They also worked on my other 850 A/C which blew cold for a few weeks then went to warm. All the 0-rings leaked, system pressure went to zero. I'm going to replace the 0-rings but then take it to a dedicated shop for the remainder of the service.

[abscate]

You can't really over oil these systems. I guess you can to the extreme. Excess oil will end up in the dryer and just sit there.

[E Showell]

So the wife reports that a whistling sound emanates from the A/C system after it is turned off. Starts loud, gradually decreases in volume. Any thoughts?

[abscate]

Pressure winding down in the hot weather. Will stop in cooler weather and/or fall. Not to worry.