Where is the refill port on my xc 70 air con please?

[volvoski]

There is a valve left front of the car above the air con pipe work but the refill kit I have bought won't fix onto it. Is there another port with a smaller valve or have I got the wrong gauge and valve kit please?

[jeffmasson]

Originally Posted by volvoski

There is a valve left front of the car above the air con pipe work but the refill kit I have bought won't fix onto it. Is there another port with a smaller valve or have I got the wrong gauge and valve kit please?

There is 2 a high and low pressure sides but not sure where to look. Just try and trace back from the ac.

[Model flyer]

Just topping up can seriously damage the system ! It won't clean or replace lubricant . A good air con specialist shouldn't charge too much tondo a proper job and they won't wreck the system.

[Simon Jones]

+1 on that. The PAG oil used to lubricate the pump is as important as refrigerant, and you won't find that in an aerosol from Halfords.

I usually pay around £50 for a complete drain, pressure test and refill at a local garage with all the correct gear.

[tt82]

The second valve is next to the brake fluid reservoir underneath the bonnet trim.

[GrantA]

Originally Posted by Model flyer

Just topping up can seriously damage the system ! It won't clean or replace lubricant . A good air con specialist shouldn't charge too much tondo a proper job and they won't wreck the system.

I agree with Model flyer, to do the job properly the whole system needs to be evacuated (all the refrigerant sucked out) and then held in a vacuum for a period to check for leaks before charging the system again with refrigerant. The recharging refrigerant will have the correct amount of lubrication in suspension in the gas so the system will not be damaged by lack of lubrication. This is one of those jobs that unless you have done it before or are very confident that you know what you are doing I would leave to the experts.

[krzemien]

Any particular place in West London that somebody could recommend?

VOLVO West London offer (£99) is hardly palatable:

http://www.volvocarslondon.co.uk/ser.../summer-check/

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Simon Jones

+1 on that. The PAG oil used to lubricate the pump is as important as refrigerant, and you won't find that in an aerosol from Halfords.

I usually pay around £50 for a complete drain, pressure test and refill at a local garage with all the correct gear.

Also it is now illegal to tamper with Car AC systems .

[Clan]

Originally Posted by tt82

The second valve is next to the brake fluid reservoir underneath the bonnet trim.

The only ports you can use on a volvo are the ones you can see , the hidden ones are hidden for a reason , use those and you could have liquid being drawn into the compressor and blow it apart .

[RM955I]

My local all makes independent (In Town Automotive in Northampton) charges 40 quid for a proper 'service' with all the right kit - oil, refrigerant etc complete with printout showing volume removed and volume replaced.

The other week I removed the filter, vacuumed out the evaporator, vacuumed the filter (it was spur of the moment so didn't' have a new one to hand but I only changed it 8 months ago). Then I cleaned the evaporator with brake cleaner as I could feel the grease and dirt and finally stuck the steam cleaner in there and gave it a good steaming.

I know there are proprietary cleaners but brake cleaner did the job and before anyone says it'll bugger the seals, well if it's safe on calipers with their rubber boots and seals, then I can't see the harm. It definitely made a difference - just be sure to give it a good blast after with the windows open to remove any residue.