1995 Volvo A/C Accumulator (me thinks)

Post by **wheelsup** » 28 Jun 2005, 20:41

Hello all:

I've just found this forum, while looking for some info for my air conditioning system. I have a 1995 Volvo 850, about 125,000 miles.

Two summers ago, the a/c system started to go foul. It never cooled. I ended up doing some quick research and found the evaporators in these models are typically bad, and it's like a $1000 repair - so I went for a quick fix and just threw some refrigerant in it. Fixed the problem over the summer.

Did the same thing the following summer, worked well.

This summer, I did the same thing, but I recently came back off a 5 day vacation and noticed green sludge on the bottom of my garage. Looking underneath the car, there is green sludge (the refrigerant I presume, as it wasn't there before re-filling) on the bottom plastic protective covering. I took that off, and noticed a pin sized whole in a cylinder-looking thing on the bottom of the car, below the compressor, with the same green sludge slowly coming out of it, under pressure.

I don't have a DIY volvo book, but looked at a 1994 ford ranger book and it appears the thing that is leaking is the accumulator, from the bottom of the unit (appears to be rusted out). What I think happened is water collected in the plastic covering and eventually rotted out the bottom of the thing.

Is this an easy (ie inexpensive) fix? It's not something I would attempt myself, unless I could use some of that "hole sealer" that I see at wal-mart to fill the rusted holes in, but then I think that would be a temp. fix. I'd like to get it corrected if the price was say, under $300 or so.

Any thoughts? Am I on the right track? I haven't called around to any repair shops just yet, I took the car apart tonight.

thanks
~wheelsup

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 29 Jun 2005, 07:35

That is interesting, the cylinder in mine is also badly rusted on the bottom and I am also not able to keep a charge in my AC system. I have no green sludge however. The refrigerant is a gas, so I think the green stuff you are seeing is either oil from the compressor or at one point or another a refrigerant with leak sealer was added to your system and it is leaking out.

adrian22 · Post by **adrian22** » 29 Jun 2005, 09:32

I have the EXACT same problem.My drier was rusting side ways from inside.Looks like the water is geting in the system or the chimicals supose to remove water are saturated and the drier sould be changed every 3-4 yers...acording to manuals.I got a good Volvo original replacement part new on ebay for 30$.You can get there a nonbrand driers for $20 also, do not buy expensive from on line stores is the same stuf ---I am trying to instal a new drier/receiver on my 850 GLT 96 to replace my old one rusty(from inside??)Please give me any instruction if you know how to disconect/connect the new drier refrigeration lines .The drier has 2 lines -one has nut and is easy to use the wrench but second one has no treds is a snap-on connection?How do you do that? Do I nedd any special tools?AC system is empty now because the large holes in the dryer..I know how to recharge it an check pressure etc.. if the new drier is in place.Please advise
Thanks
Adrian

Jot · Post by **Jot** » 29 Jun 2005, 14:56

Yes that is the receiver/dryer you will need a special tool (FORD) to take the coupling apart . You will need to have the system evacuated as there is now moisture in the system.PS if you do it yourself do NOT remove the caps on the new one till you are ready to install.