V50 General : Air Con A/C stopped working

[mybubba]

Hi all
starting of my first post with an not too uncommon problem.

Our V50 2.0D aircon stopped working altogether. On reflection I recall to notice a slight degrade in cool efficiency ove the last 2 years.
I searched the net and found that the problem my be either mechanical (i.e. potentially costly if say the compressor was to be renewed £300 upwards), electric (ie. fuses or relays blown) or down to a leak/lack of pressure on the circuit (read pipework).

I noted that the electronic clutch would not engage (which in turn menas the compressor would not function as it is powered through the auxillary belt.)
You fin dthat one school of thought is that the problem is fown to the gap between the plate and the compressor (see other good threads to that end) or that it is electric/pressure.

This brings me to the point that after quering a number of garages, Kwikfit etc. that knowledge with regards to the air conditioning system of modern cars is rather limited in my small sample.
I had read up on the issue and found that the V50 has a number of pressure switches which cut out the electronic clutch (possibly a measure to safeguard the compressor.) Not one outfit actually knew that such system was in place.

If indeed the lack of freon/pressure on the system is the case then a recharge is the cure as long as no significant leak has development and thus render the recharge useless. On the note of recharge I noted that the professional clearout of the system prior is imperative.

I would recommend to anyone with a similar problem to seek good advice, even better read up on the issue before. If you haven't come across the issue make sure you regularly use the air con to keep seals oiled.

If any1 has had the same problem i would be interested to hear about it.

[Lancee]

Had my aircon re-gassed last year, apparently it should then be checked every 2 years.
I suggest you find a good independent air con specialist and have it tested, probably just needs a re-gas, before you spend ages looking for the wrong problem.

[mybubba]

quite right. I intend to get an ind. volvo garage to have a look.

Bizarely enough manufacturers recommend a 2 year servicing but the volvo service schedule does not even include this as an option.
I understand that it is key to fully vacuum and burn off any moisture (as vapour will react with the oil and remove debris as this will otherwise damage/clogg the condenser et al) within the system and ideally not use recycled gas as it may contain pollutants.

[grass hopper]

ultraviolet dye is added to the system from new so if there's a slight leak it should be noticed on inspection.

as mentioned there is no servicing mentioned by Volvo every 2 years as its not required,its only a money spinner by some garages.

[mybubba]

as mentioned there is no servicing mentioned by Volvo every 2 years as its not required,its only a money spinner by some garages.

servicing really means regular use of the air con.

[grass hopper]

Originally Posted by mybubba

servicing really means regular use of the air con.

as you say the a/c should be used for approx 15 minutes every week to keep the compressor etc lubed with oil.

but going back to draining of the refrigerant every 2 years and topping up (many garages don't put the compressor oil back) is not listed and not required as per Volvo check-list,as mentioned only required if there is a leak.

[mybubba]

good job I sat down when I heard the prices from an official Volvo dealership in North London.
£150 + VAT for testing the a/c system and £205 + VAT for re-gasing it.

[gunka]

I have a 55 plate s40 which i purchased last year, my air con packed up so went to kwick fit and had it re-gassed. only for it to stop again which meant i had a leak. kwick fit are not equipped to sort out problems like this they just plug and go. i sent the car to my local garage who after much searching concluded the leak was behind the dashboard and that it would have to go to volvo for repair (costly). after a bit of arguing with the garage i got it from they agreed to pay for the repair in full. i think they said they changed the evaporator. all ok until now, no air con again. this time i have got a kit from halfords and gassed it my self, it was showing that it was only 5 psi low but wouldnt work at that pressure. it sounds like what i have been reading that there is alot of problems with the air con on these cars. volvo should sort it out

[mybubba]

Originally Posted by gunka

i think they said they changed the evaporator. all ok until now, no air con again. this time i have got a kit from halfords and gassed it my self, it was showing that it was only 5 psi low but wouldnt work at that pressure.

Hi gunka

I am a bit lost on your comment. Are you saying that after replacing the evaporator it worked and then after a while stopped working? Did you manage to get it going again after regassing yourself?

[gunka]

Originally Posted by mybubba

Hi gunka

I am a bit lost on your comment. Are you saying that after replacing the evaporator it worked and then after a while stopped working? Did you manage to get it going again after regassing yourself?

soz, yeah it worked great up until now. ive regassed it myself with kit from halfords, hopefully it wont leak again. its working at present. when i put gauges on it was only low by about 5 psi to recommended pressure. used about 1/4 of the tin that came with the kit. all ok