A/c condensor

subdewd · Post by **subdewd** » 15 Jul 2008, 03:22

Can anybody tel me how to change the condensor on 2000 s80 USA.
Do you go from grill side or engine side? Care to give a quick write up?
I see the part is $200. Dealer wants $1000 to do the job.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 19 Jul 2008, 11:26

According to Haynes, you drop it down out of the bottom of the car after loosening the radiator and intercooler. Why do you need a new one?

subdewd · Post by **subdewd** » 21 Jul 2008, 08:04

been on vacation sorry not to reply sooner,
Over the last 3 years each spring it needs recharge,
last year, I brought it in and after a month it stopped
working again I didn't look any further
just took it to the dealer, they said it just needed to be filled,
unusual since it leaked out so fast.
If I recall they added dye the first time.
I saw alot of oil above the fan shroud so I figured
the condensor was bad so I took it in again
they filled it and it worked the rest of the year.
I assume maybe a leaking O ring, hard to imagine since they didn,t
bill me.
This year took it back said the condensor was bad though I didn't
see any oil, they fille dit again and it's still working. They also said they
wouldn't
submit the claim to the warranty company it was up to us, we never had a problem with warranty repairs before.
Anyway just seeing if I could do it myself, Sick of Brentwood Weiss Volvo in St. Louis, never fix things right and they don't seem like they tell the truth. All they say they do is "reprogram the computer"
I've worked in electronics for 20 years and know this is Bull.
The ECU has an EEROM chip which might require upgrades but not for every freaking problem the car has.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 21 Jul 2008, 08:38

You shouldn't need a new condenser unless it is cracked - not likely with a slow leak. It's probably an 0-ring. For that you would need to evacuate the system (using a special recovery unit, as mandated by the EPA), open it up, change the leaky o-ring, put it back together, pump it down with a special vacuum pump, then recharge it. It's probably a lot simpler and cheaper to recharge it periodically, unless it leaks down more frequently. You might try adding a can of stop leak. It comes in a can about 4 or 6 ounces, if I remember correctly. It should be available at any auto parts store, along with a cheap valve and gauge you can use to add it to your system.

subdewd · Post by **subdewd** » 23 Jul 2008, 04:32

Good deal, thanks