I think the evaporator has packed it in!!

Post by **JRL** » 12 Dec 2008, 14:24

Heater core!

Post by **findude** » 12 Dec 2008, 14:58

Thanks for the reply. The heat works fine, if that's another indicator.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 12 Dec 2008, 15:07

The heat continues to work but you get coolant on the floorboards and it fogs up badly - you have both symptoms.

Here is a link to a writeup, I thought we had one but I couldn't find it:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... opic=35445

...Lee

Post by **findude** » 12 Dec 2008, 15:58

Thanks. I'm attaching a more detailed, annotated picture for reference. I'm not looking forward to this repair . . . . The heater core looks doable for me, I'm not sure I'm up to the whole evaporator procedure given that it requires removing the whole dash, but it might be a decent winter break project with my son. We have a garage, but it's not heated.

: IMG_2388s.jpg (53.25 KiB) Viewed 3032 times

Just for information, here are two annotated photos that also demonstrate why you should not park your 850 under trees.

: IMG_2398s.jpg (36.51 KiB) Viewed 3032 times

: IMG_2400s.jpg (42.03 KiB) Viewed 3034 times

This problem has been building a while, but the car only sees a couple thousand miles a year at this point in its life.

Should my coolant be low? Wouldn't that be another indicator?

Post by **tailor** » 12 Dec 2008, 16:30

In light of your new pictures: If you have not peeled back the carpet and looked for either a blockage at the evaporator drain pipe or a damaged pipe I would do that first. It is conceivable that the pipe is split/ disconnected and you may have a blockage too boot causing the water to drain on either side of the occupants feet.

I certainly am not trying to over rule the superior knowledge of JRL and Ozark but it is well worth the look if you have not done that. There is also the possibility of water leaking out of the fan housing/passage, I had a soft black "gum" plugging a hole.I do not know if this is a default fitting or some prior work was done and they drilled through the passage from the blower motor to the evaporator. You might also get water running more quickly down the right side of the passenger interior when you make a left turn.....the passenger would be your best bet to view it.

trevlac98 · Post by **trevlac98** » 21 Jul 2009, 20:41

I just solved a similar problem...dealer just replaced my evaporator and compressor and all was good, except after a couple of days it smelled damp and musty and the floor was soaked....no clog, but wouldn't you know, they didn't hook the drain hose back up through the floor - instead they left it loose to drain all over the inside of my car! we'll see if we can get a carpet cleaning out of them for the trouble of fixing it for them.

thanks for the solution and the pix! took all of 5 minutes for something that the dealer would have charged an arm and a leg for.

christhekiwi · Post by **christhekiwi** » 07 Feb 2011, 01:59

Just found this thread and it was the answer to my water-filled fan housing, when i pulled the hose off the nipple it was bone dry. I found some old HP fuel line which fitted perfectly into the rubber "up" hose and blew into it. That dislodged some crusty black residue and about 1.5L of water. Fantastic, off to find some mouth wash now......

oldcrow · Post by **oldcrow** » 25 Jul 2011, 19:21

V70r 2007 86K bought oct 2010
Jez, you guys know how to scare a guy. We are talking no ac going on. For starters where is this cabin filter. Told by macanic condenser has pin hole. Wants $700 to replace. Was going to recharge my self but saw this post and thought I would check out the evap first. Got to start somewhere. Thanks for the post. Oldcrow

Post by **vjaneczko** » 26 Jul 2011, 08:04

The cabin filter is accessed from under the hood - it's on the passenger side under the large black plastic cover which surrounds the wiper blades. You can undo 3 of the 5 Torx screws that hold it in place and it pops up enough to install the filter and the bracket. It may be a good idea to remove the wiper arms and remove the cover completely so you can cleanout the entire area. It fills up with gunk over the years which can only lead to rust or a funky smell in the cabin!

oldcrow · Post by **oldcrow** » 26 Jul 2011, 13:55

Thanks for getting back vjaneczko,
Yea, Got to the wiper arms. Hmmmm. I see you are from IL. North East myself (Mass).So you know about salt? The shaft is soaking up some PT Blaster penetrating oil as I type this. The nuts came off ok but the arm is frozen onto the shaft. A’m tempted to use a little heat but too much plastic around. The ac has been diagnosed with a pin hole in the condenser. So I have been thinking about charging it with some stop leak. What do ya think -- good or bad idea? My mechanic does not like the idea. If I did decide to do that I would look for the best stuff I can fine. Maybe the type that is not moisture cured. Anyway. Got get the wiper arms off first and check thing out.
Thanks again, Oldcrow
Other volvo--1994 850 wagon

I think the evaporator has packed it in!!

Re: I think the evaporator has packed it in!!