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A/C Evaporator brand suggestions?

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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JimBee
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A/C Evaporator brand suggestions?

Post by JimBee »

Prices for this part range all over. Has anybody installed the Omega brand? Any recommendations for others?

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

I would not want to guinea pig this part, with 10 hours of install time.
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Post by scot850 »

I'm with abscate on this. It is a long and tedious job, and being the guy that bought an aftermarket one and then had a bear of a job getting it to fit before I had to file down the connectors as they were too large, I wasted a lot of language and sweat over 5 hours doing an 'it's easy to fit' connection of 2 pipes!

If you are planning to keep the car then the extra cost of an OE is the way to go. You know there are many on-line dealers like Tasca who have good prices on OE parts and some have free shipping.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I've used both the OEM and some aftermarkets like 4 Seasons and Spectra. They were all the same, even the OEM took a certain amount of pipe tweaking to make the connections. The important thing is that you get a cabin air filter in front of it.

All of them have lasted over 5 years with no issues but the aftermarkets may prove to be inferior in another 20 years. Other than the '94, I can't begin to imagine still having these cars in another 20 years.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

Ozark Lee wrote:I've used both the OEM and some aftermarkets like 4 Seasons and Spectra. They were all the same, even the OEM took a certain amount of pipe tweaking to make the connections. The important thing is that you get a cabin air filter in front of it.

All of them have lasted over 5 years with no issues but the aftermarkets may prove to be inferior in another 20 years. Other than the '94, I can't begin to imagine still having these cars in another 20 years.

...Lee
You can pry my 1999 from my cold, lifeless, dead, turbo, and manual shift fingers - one for each gear.
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Post by Ozark Lee »

abscate wrote:You can pry my 1999 from my cold, lifeless, dead, turbo, and manual shift fingers - one for each gear.
My exact reason for my '94. Even as a N/A car it is fun with a stick.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
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1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

JimBee
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Post by JimBee »

Hmmmm. Interesting comments.

I looked into the source for the Omega, it's made in China, comes with a1 year warranty. Zoom in opposite direction.
From FCP, Volvo OEM $225 (obviously not made by Volvo) and FCP doesn't indicate a source, maybe a vendor secret?

FCP also sells a Rein brand for $87, made in Taiwan. Does Rein also make the Volvo brand? I'll call tomorrow to find out.

I have similar feelings about my '96 5 speed manual and did have about my 5 speed '93 which is still fun to drive, so I know about getting attached to them! Of all 3, though, the '96 auto trans turbo is the sweetest ride, cleanest and really the best all-around (though one issue I'll post about). I'm keeping them all for as long as practical.

One of the first treatments given both of my 5 speed trans' was a drain-flush with Amsoil AT fluid, drain and refill with amsoil AT fluid. They are quiet and smooth shifting in all weather.

I agree with Lee about the cowl filter which all mine have.

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Post by polskamafia mjl »

Ozark Lee wrote:Even as a N/A car it is fun with a stick.

...Lee
M56 swap on the turbos. It's a cake walk, trust me. O:-)
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Post by erikv11 »

'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

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abscate
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Post by abscate »

Call FCP and ask for OEM source. Ask them to price match too.
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