air conditioning system

[papsico2002]

I drive a 2001 S80 Volvo 2.4i non turbo and since I got 5 years ago my air conditioning system has been acting up, I use it 80% of the time as I stay in a hot country but it only works in the first hour and thereafter. I have to switch it off for about 30 min before it works again, as it works it reduces the power it blows in the cabin to very little cold air even when i have put the temperature at its lowest and at full throttle hence it starts to heat up in the cabin, so i have to switch it off and open my windows for about 30 min before I switch it back n for it to work properly. I did notice that when I open the bonnett I always see a very thick white layer of ice on the air con pipe running from the compressor to the cabin and only when this dissolves does the air con work. I tried cleaning the condenser, and even removing the filter but to no avail, please can some assist me so that I get a perfectly working climate control system for such a nice car as this

[MNM]

I think you need a new thermostat as the AC system is not cutting out resulting in the pipes freezing up. If your car is over 100k miles then it's advisable you replace the compressor.

[cornsev]

Check the refrigerant charge in the AC system. When the refrigerant pressure is too low, ice can appear on the pressure lines - typically on intake side of compressor. If too low, you can refill system yourself w/ refrigerant from auto parts store.