Another AC post

[June]

Besides the joking... You shouldn't turn of the AC permanently during the winter. The AC needs to run frequently not to start leaking.

I've always been told this. On Volvo below a certain temperature the automatic climate control wont run the compressor but in occasional short periods then below a lower temperature not at all. So you are saving no fuel saving by manually shutting the compressor off. At cool temperatures the compressor has no load anyway. So no real fuel benefit. It does however help keep the fog off the windows even when heat is being used. I understand Volvo recommends using the automatic climate control year round with the compressor kept active. June

[RickHaleParker]

You shouldn't turn of the AC permanently during the winter. The AC needs to run frequently not to start leaking.

Ever notice the A/C clutch engages for a few seconds every time you start the car?

That is done to keep the oil in the refrigerant from settling. The oil is what hermetically seals the refrigerant in. When the oil drains to the lowest point, from the car not being started for a long time, is when you get the leaks.

As long as you start the car periodically you don't need to worry about this issue. If you have a car that is not being used, start it up periodically to prevent this issue.

[callahanoffroad]

Well since we're on the subject I actually don't have ECC my current 850 is a '95 base, it has the complete manual suite with minimal amenities (so everything actually works on this one hahahaha). That being said I do not have ECC on this car and the AC compressor must be activated manually. So as a result the lights in my car just mean "on" or "off"

[LOB]

You shouldn't turn of the AC permanently during the winter. The AC needs to run frequently not to start leaking.

Ever notice the A/C clutch engages for a few seconds every time you start the car?

That is done to keep the oil in the refrigerant from settling. The oil is what hermetically seals the refrigerant in. When the oil drains to the lowest point, from the car not being started for a long time, is when you get the leaks.

As long as you start the car periodically you don't need to worry about this issue. If you have a car that is not being used, start it up periodically to prevent this issue.

Thanks, I didn't know that.
What really improves the longevity of the AC, at least in the "rust belt" of the northern hemisphere, is to rinse the AC condenser with water every time you've been driving on salted roads (it will also prevent the cooler and it's clamp hoses to corrode, preventing dire consequences). My AC is untouched since it came out in Gent in June 1996 except for a refill a couple of years ago and that's quite extraordinary driving on the salted roads of Sweden and Norway (actually my car was driving around Illinois the first couple of years, imported to Sweden by a swede expat, one advantage of having a speedometer in miles/h is that my wife never accuses me of speeding .

[RickHaleParker]

one advantage of having a speedometer in miles/h is that my wife never accuses me of speeding .

I came up with a weight diet that users are happy with. I change their scales to metric. They see lower numbers, they happy,, problem solved .

[abscate]

Treat the MCC control unit like gold.

They cost $470 with core and you won't find them in PnP

[callahanoffroad]

Treat the MCC control unit like gold.

They cost $470 with core and you won't find them in PnP

The guy I bought this car from basically said the same thing. I'm paraphrasing here but he said "I bought the most basic version of the 850 possible so that I'd have a vehicle that would never fail." Of course that doesn't dissuade me from wanting a fully loaded turbo with rear heat seaters...