850 AC recharge failed

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Jul 2008, 17:24

My compressor runs every 10 seconds or so, cycling over and over. This is bad, and will burn out the compressor clutch. Also, the air doesn't get super cold like it used to. Time for a recharge.

I bought a R134-a recharge hose with gauge, and a can of R134-a. I think the total on that was around $35 US. It was a year ago, so my memory's vague.

Click on the photos for larger versions.

The products:

The AC port on my 850 with the cap off:

Gauge when the compressor was NOT running:

Closeup of the gauge.

Guage when the compressor WAS running:

I left it on for about 4 minutes. The can got very frosty on the outside, and still held refrigerant when I was done. But I didn't get to try to force the refrigerant into the system... the gauge broke at the neck at the end of the 4 minutes. See photo:

Cheap consumer-grade automobile tool quality = frustration:

And the result: no difference. The AC system still runs the compressor every 8-10 seconds. My opinion is that I didn't get nearly enough R134-a into the system. The can was at least half-full when it broke.

Post by **Sperry** » 02 Jul 2008, 17:54

The can was at least half-full when it broke.

At least the can wasn't half-empty. Your unconscious optimism is an encouraging sign of impending successful resolution.

Post by **JRL** » 02 Jul 2008, 17:57

Your car takes 1.63 lbs of 134 but it still should not freeze up if low. I would suggest that you let a pro add the freon but you also know it's a stop gap as it shouldn't be leaking at all!
It's also probable you have a gross leak in either the evaporator or somewhere else so why are you doing this.
You of all people know these evaporators need to be replaced at least once or even twice in a GEN 1 Volvos lifetime

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Jul 2008, 18:09

Sperry, thanks

. I know I'll solve this problem.

JRL, I've heard from several who have gotten by -- if the leak isn't a big one -- on a recharge per summer. At $35 a year, it would take decades to have an evap replacement pay for itself.

I live in Denver so I only need AC for 3 months.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Jul 2008, 20:03

Matt, I actually agree with you because I'm "limping along" too with my A/C. Anyway, a good trick is (after buying a better hose and gauge) to take a bowl of hot water out to your car and immersing the can in the water as you discharge it into your system. It will go in much faster and also not freeze up. Good luck with this!
MIJ

Post by **HareBall** » 02 Jul 2008, 20:14

Be real careful that you don't get the can too hot. Probably won't be a problem with these small cans, but the large commercial tanks have been known to explode when heated. There is a lot of pressure in a can of refrigerant anyway. But if it is heated the pressure will climb.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Jul 2008, 20:42

True enough Larry....I start the discharge process and then submerge it so there's some place for the pressure to go.

Post by **JRL** » 02 Jul 2008, 21:00

matthew1 wrote:Sperry, thanks . I know I'll solve this problem.

JRL, I've heard from several who have gotten by -- if the leak isn't a big one -- on a recharge per summer. At $35 a year, it would take decades to have an evap replacement pay for itself.

I live in Denver so I only need AC for 3 months.

If the leak is very slow, I don't disagree.
What I'm trying to say, there comes that one time when the evap has had it and won't hold a charge anymore, the leak is too large.
(They do NOT get better ove time, just worse until that fateful day when it just cracks open)
I've had it happen to me

Post by **Sperry** » 02 Jul 2008, 21:09

All this talk reminds me me of the best way to maintain my car's AC.
Don't touch it. If the hood is open to reset the service light,
I shan't even think of looking at the AC system.

As with women, looking can lead to touching.
In the beginning, I might know what I am doing.
But before you know it, I've disturbed the equilibrium of grime and dirt.
It is working perfectly. We're talking frostbite on my face in 92˚ weather.

[I wonder if it is original - how do I tell?]

BTW, after replacing my cooling fan, intermittent compressor function ceased.

cam_dirt · Post by **cam_dirt** » 02 Jul 2008, 21:14

Grab another recharge kit and try again. Most of the kits come with a plastic valve/can puncture and they break easy if opened too far. The hot water works well too but watch your gauge. I have charged my 97 850 twice in four years and it always blows colder than my 02 s60. You will probably need a couple of cans for a complete fill. I also had to do the shim trick on my compressor recently and it worked great as my 850 has 200k miles with no other a/c work.
http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=80181

good luck, dont give up this can be an enjoyable cheap fix.