850 1995 air conditioner

arawana · Post by **arawana** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:16

FIll with freon and after 2 weeks it is back hot air again could this be a major leak or a easy fix? since it lasts 2 weeks thought maybe just something loose/? or a seal

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Apr 2009, 20:42

Probably the A/C Evaporator- a known weakness on our 850's. You should use the dye next time- it comes in the cans of gas...and buy the kit where you can see where it's leaking. If you can't find the leak with the tinted glasses and the black light, then it's the Evaporator- it's in a place under the dash (R&R is about a grand) that is almost impossible to see the leak in. Sorry for the bad news- we all eventually have to deal with this if we want to keep the A/C.

arawana · Post by **arawana** » 17 Apr 2009, 21:01

so filling it every 2 weeks would be cheaper as its only needed about 3 months here and its 20$ per fill i I didnt see any leaks but I didnt have glasses? can said it had dye in it

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Apr 2009, 21:22

Yeah, you have to use special tinted glasses and a black light (they sell a kit with both in them)...to see the dye where it leaks out. I agree...sometimes it's cheaper to just add the gas. I do mine about once a month in the summer months- have for the last 3 years (keeping my fingers crossed)... some day I'll put gas in and it will be gone in a day or two- that's when I'll tackle the Evaporator on mine.

peffley · Post by **peffley** » 19 Apr 2009, 06:26

Dear MIJ,

The A/C topic rises hiiigh above.. in my list of important items as we live in south Florida. May through Sept. is pure horror here - and it ain't just the heat - it's definately the humidity.

As "binglax09" had laughingly suggested in: ""Post subject: Re: Ridden hard, put away wetPosted: April 16th, 2009, 8:52 pm"" that I was lucky that my A/C is working has my worried.

Since the A/C is working, can you suggest the best preventitive maintenance that I could perform? Could you guide me to the best (posted) description for cleaning or replacing any filters associated with the system etc...
(Any sealers that can be run through the system that a shop could do?)

Thanks in advance. Sincerely,
-Peff

P.S. As soon as I get another job... I will donate here. (been laid-off for 7 mnths now - CAD Draftsman)

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Apr 2009, 06:57

Unfortunately there is no good "sealer" for these systems. Anything you add that could seal leaks up ends up "gunking up" the system and creates havoc for the evacuation devices. Many places won't even evacuate your A/C system if they know you've used these sealers. That said, there are newer evacuation devices with screens and filters to help deal with this. The best preventative measure especially for the evaporator is to make sure your 850 has a cabin air filter (originally these didn't come with them but can be added) so that debris is kept out. Any small leave particles or other debris will sit down in the Evaporator tray, get filled with moisture (not to mention mold) and aid in the unit in rusting out. Typically, the evaporator develops little rust holes where the gas leaks out of and becomes larger as time goes on until it doesn't hold gas at all, or it leaks out within a day or two. Another thing you can do, but is difficult to keep the flap up under the windshield cowl, it so take a long hose attached to as powerful of a vacuum cleaner as you can and see if you can suck any debris out of the Evaporator location... you'll hit the turbines of the A/C blower fan which is directly below this channel but still, you might be able to suck up any loose stuff that may be on its way to getting stuck down in there. I suppose you could also reach things better with a small flexible hose, going through, under the glove box from within the cabin by actually taking the blower motor out to help with access. I've personally never done this though have thought about it.

peffley · Post by **peffley** » 19 Apr 2009, 07:17

Thanks MIJ,

I am going to take a look at those areas today.

Also, I downloaded that file (from an old post) that was supposed to be the whole 850 digital manual. It has a PDF with: "P Codes
Conversion table standardized diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)/Volvo diagnostic trouble
codes (DTCs)" in it but the 2 other files in the zip file are pretty much empty...

Any newer links to free digital manuals that you know of? I'll let you know if I find anything... I'm also going to get the Haynes or Chiltons book. (I always like to get the mechanics books, preferably in printed form although that usually costs like $100.)

-Peff

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 19 Apr 2009, 07:37

Not sure of any newer pdf files. Don't buy the Chilton's for your car- it's worthless. Haynes all the way.

peffley · Post by **peffley** » 20 Apr 2009, 08:33

Thanks for the Hayne's tip. Will do.
Re. the big, blue, thick, expensive "mechanics books"... It's been a while since I got one. I had one for my Jeep Wrangler, one for my old Landcruiser and one for my last Volvo 960. I still forget how I had gotten them. How do you guys get 'em? Ebay sellers seem to sell only digital versions now. I think you can order through the dealers?
-Peff

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 Apr 2009, 15:22

You're talking about the Bentley book- it's not available for 850's or newer FWD/AWD Volvo's (unfortunately). I have one for the 240 we own and it is invaluable for it.