AC died

patrickjcrum · Post by **patrickjcrum** » 24 Jul 2010, 20:44

Hi,
1995 850 turbo wagon 140,000 miles.
I was sitting at a light the other day and heard a loud pop and a puff of steam came out front the front of the car.
After I got home ( I was less than a mile away) I popped the hood and there was Bright green stuff all over the front of the engine where the serpentine belt is. I initially thought it was antifreeze, but could not find a leak, and the level is fine and consistent.
I then discovered that my AC no longer works. On removing the cap on the low side port, I found that the valve in there and the inside of the cap is covered with the green smelly stuff. What I can't figure out is where the leak came from. I have visually searched, but had no luck. It appears to have leaked from the valve at the port, but with the cap still in place it seems unlikely. Any experience would be appreciated! I did try simply recharging the system, but it appeared to leak right back out. Maybe it's simply a worn out schrader valve?
Thanks!
Pat

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 24 Jul 2010, 23:42

As you recharge the system you should be able to see the leak if it is under the hood. The receiver / drier / accumulator (all the same part with sometimes different names) is a likely candidate. It is the cylindrical black thing just below the low pressure port. I have had to replace two of them due to corrosion from winter salting.

...Lee

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 25 Jul 2010, 09:59

+1

The two items I always see going bad are the dryer and the evaporator. I would take a close look at both of them and go from there.

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 25 Jul 2010, 18:05

That green gook is dye marker intended for finding leaks in the A/C...The accumulator might be the source of your trouble, (the 850 does not have a receiver/drier) but from your description of the location of the green gook, I feel that the cap on the A/C low side service port was not on tight and the schraeder valve blew...The cap (marked 9NM) has to be tightened firmly...I don't know the US torque equivalent to 9 Newton-Meters...

...There is a yellow "O" ring on the outside of the quick-disconnect port at the bottom and it has to seal against the cap, so the cap has to be tight...The schaeder valves are prone to leaks...

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 25 Jul 2010, 21:01

Volvo puts a UV sensitive dye marker in the A/C system in it's late model cars, and most R-134 refill cans have it...Black light, or ultra-violet light will show where refrigeration leaks are...I have a very small pocket black light that has 9 UV LED's...I got it from www.Blacklightshop.com and it was 25 bucks...I found a leaking shraeder valve in my daughter's C-70 with it...Handy for a lot of other things, to...