98 S70 AC Question

[dano009]

Hi Everybody:

Last week I started my GLT and smoke/vapor immediately escaped from underneath the front hood. I checked the engine compartment and couldn't find any liquid and realized it must have been Freon that escaped. That must have been it since I don't have cool air now.

My guess is that I blew a seal somewhere and I'm guessing it's probably the compressor. I'm I correct?

If so, what is the most economical method of repair?

Also, I need to replace my timing belt, front struts, ABS module and some other minor mechanical repairs. I've owned my GLT since I had 83k on it or about four years now and for the most part the car is mechanically sound.

Should I bother making the above needed repairs or should I start looking for another Volvo? I hate to put $1500-$2000 into my GLT if at my current mileage I can just expect one thing after another to go wrong with it.

Any advice is appreciated.

Dan

98 S70 GLT (155k miles)

[Sperry]

I asked a similar question 40,000 miles ago, with my '94 850.

While there was no definitive answer to my question, what I've learned will probably help you to answer that question yourself.

Are you reasonably confident the engine and transmission will last another 100,000 miles? The answer is probably "Yes".

Do you like your car? "Yes".

Do you believe that rich people fix their cars, rather than replace them? "Yes".

So, for $1000 a year, you can be driving a decent auto for the next four years, rather than buying an unknown.

I had the same question, and commented on my noisy cooling fan [which lasted 40,000 miles with questionable bearings].

I've given up on some aspects of my car. It creaks like an old man's knees, and groans like a bad porn movie, but it has proved reliable and durable. Even if someone offered me my Grail, a mid-model C70 Coupe, with under 100,000 miles, in the proper color scheme, for $6000, I'd be reluctant to sell the current auto for the newer one [ask me in two years].

Life is usually a realization of "What is"

The car operates normally, and requires normal maintenance.

You are dwelling on the "What if".

"What if I put $2,000 into my car [which will make it drive so much nicer], and something major goes?"

Even a newer replacement automobile can have an engine that goes, at any mileage. Or a transmission.

[Ozark Lee]

Dan,

Assuming there was no collision chances are it is a bad Accumulator/Receiver/Drier. You don't have a location associated with your name but if you are in a northern climate the road salt destroys the accumulators. A cheap and easy fix - much cheaper than changing the evaporator. you can try to add a can of R-134A and see where it is spewing out or a shop can find the problem for you. The compressors on these cars are very robust.

...Lee