1996 850 NA Air Conditioner Not Working

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 18 Jun 2017, 10:02

I searched on here and did not find any step by step how to, please point me to it
it I missed it. This car's A/C was charged about 5 years ago and it is not working
at all again. I see that the canister is the first thing to check for a leak, and if it
has been leaking uncharged for so long probably needs to be replaced anyway - is
that correct?
In this blog, he just charges it without evacuating:
https://volvo850wagon.wordpress.com/201 ... /#comments

I'm planning to buy the Harbor Freight gauge set since it is on sale 20% off and my
other son's car needs to be checked also - Unless it is not suggested - anyone?
https://www.harborfreight.com/ac-r134a- ... 60806.html

I'll get a vac pump, if needed, eventually also.

Post by **abscate** » 18 Jun 2017, 12:07

If you want to borrow manifold and pump I can find you on my next cruise through CT.

Filling without evacuating...groan. You want to get air and moisture out.

The evaporator in the dash is the weak link on the P80 cars including the " bastards"

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 18 Jun 2017, 12:48

Thanks very much for the offer.
I don't mind buying that one, I take care of 5 cars so I'll be using it I'm sure.
Unless the gauge on the filler cans is good enough?

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 21 Jul 2017, 07:31

I need to learn the basics of A/C repair and found this video by Eric the Car Guy to
be quite good:

Also this young guy, Chrisfix, seems to do a good job:

How to top it off:

Post by **abscate** » 21 Jul 2017, 09:45

Good stuff

Volvos (P80s) don't have a high pressure port, of course, so don't go looking for it.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 21 Jul 2017, 16:23

Right, got it on not having a high pressure port.
Is the Amazon vac pump the best cheap one, anyone know?

By eye the compressor gap looks tight, will check soon - it doesn't run at all
probably due to no pressure.

There is no pressure, it had dye added in 2010.

The A/C worked some in 2014 when we bought it but not strong.

Think I'm going to pull a vac and if it holds anything overnight might just try charging it.

Anyone had any luck with a sealing agent - obviously one that doesn't trash the system
if such a thing exists.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Jul 2017, 19:30

The Harbor Freight one is made by Pittsburg and is decent. I think that's the same one.

Hold off the sealing gunk. Pull the vacuum for a couple of hours and let's see how it holds.

Have you had a peek at the evaporator for dye?p

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 21 Jul 2017, 20:09

I've hardly even started on this, have to get the rear brake line hoses done
then will take a shot at the A/C.
Would the dye still be there from 2010? I've not looked.

Post by **abscate** » 21 Jul 2017, 21:08

It's worth looking for it. It's insidious stuff and I bet you can detect some on the input port

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 22 Jul 2017, 13:37

I need a UV light and glasses? Is that right?