SOLVED Volvo 850 a/c system only takes 17 oz. refrigerant? Topic is solved

[Tobster]

Yes that is correct, if you never had problems befor it should not be blocked. Freezing up is only caused by air period I know that, rest pressure on a gauge means nothing, a dual manifold gauge set tells all, what low side is doing and high side, that would be helpful right now, 30 to 40 on low side, 200 to 300 on high nd you would have say 39 degrees. hopefully you don't have blend door problem, you start it up its cool but ounce heater core heats up it gets warm again, I have seen that.

[JRL]

Two 12 oz. cans essentially fills an empty system, close enough so that it's plenty cold.

[JimBee]

I can hear the hisses coming.

Okay, today when I stuck the thermometer back in the dash vent I noticed one of the ECC heat control dials was not all the way to the CCW stop, so it would be still selecting for heat. Encouraged by that discovery, and making the adjustment, I put the hose back on and got another oz. from the 18 oz. can and a couple of oz's from another can, totaling about 22 oz. That brought my dash temp to 57F which is plenty cold for me, so I'm happy.

Apparently the pressostat is doing its job, after all.

[abscate]

Yeah, we've all been there, that DOH! Moment.......

[sleddriver]

Congrats Jim. Sometimes it IS the overlooked little stuff. Like a small sidewalk change of elevation at a crack can send you on your knees wondering WTH just happened?

Glad you found it and are back to blowing COLD!

[JimBee]

Glad it was one of those little things! While frustrating, they are nice discoveries. Thanks for understanding