S60 Air Con: Anyone know about aircon system?

[Thassos]

Noticed a bubbling noise when i started the car up today (being quite warm) then the aircon wasnt cooling as it normally does.. And now no cooling at all (despite the ECC controls all working as usual and no dash messages.. Any ideas ?, im initially wondering if something has got holed and the aircon gas has dissapeared, is there a radiator near the grille? Anything i can check out ? Car would have the original refrigerant (8 years ish old) but would it suddenly stop working like this with just the gas getting old?

[harveys]

Best to get it regased - serviced,have you ever changed the pollen filter ?.
Most aircon firms , quick fit or the likes charge £35 - £45 for a regas & if they can't fix it there's no charge !.

[Spike56]

The 'gas' is a lurid fluorescent green, so have you noticed a green puddle recently? There is a condenser beside the main radiator and the pump obviously. Check the panel below the radiator on the nearside, is there a puddle there? Otherwise, have you tried the reset procedures detailed in the threads? Involves windows and heater switches, keys and a pile of voodoo, but it does work, sometimes.

Close all of the doors and bonnet.
- Key in position II engine not running.
- Hold both the driver window and passenger window switches in the driver door panel in the closed or up position for 5 to 8 seconds after the windows are closed.
- Release buttons.
- Remove the ignition key.
- Operated the remote twice. lock/unlock lock/unlock.
-Then turn heater controls from off to high and back to off.

I got mine regassed by Volvo (included a full mechanical 'lookover' for £99.00)
They are checking the A/C for free at the moment, so worth a look.

Hopefully this should reset and calibrate your CC

[stephenevans99]

Low refrigerant. The refrigerant is perfectly clear in colour, Volvo do add a small amount of UV dye to the system to detect leaks BUT this will have dried up several years ago no doubt.

Get the system recharged, fresh PAG oil and new UV dye added....you'll be frosty again in no time.

[Georgeandkira]

Hello, How long ago was it cooling properly?
If the clutch slips, it feels like the A/C has given out.
See if it blows cold tomorrow morning. If again it quits, it's likely the clutch.
If the drain pan tubes are clogged and the condensate hits the evaporator, the cold "sinks" into the water and way less chilling capacity is left for the airflow.

A fellow here has a console style A/C service machine by Snap-On Tools.
He hooks lines to the high pressure and low pressure lines in the vehicle and switches it on. The machine sucks all the gas and fluid out and vacuum checks the system.
Then, after the machine filters the extracted material, it fills it with the precise amount of each element-gas, working fluid, lube and the UV dye.
You only start the engine toward the end of the process.
Works like a charm. The only time out of 6 visits with 6 different cars the total went above the $60 cash price (hush-hush, the taxman's reading this) was when $10 was added to cover the price of replacing all the 134a which had escaped.
I was told that liquid sealers can work if the system takes a month or more to leak down after a recharge. If it leaks down faster, there are repairs which should be made.
Good luck with your A/C Kira

[stephenevans99]

I use a Texa Konfort, it's 4 years old now but still performs flawlessly. Recovery machines are superb tools BUT don't believe them when they tell you a system is Leak Free lol

[Thassos]

Hi George n Kira, very useful info thanks, it has been working fine the day before and never struggled to get down to temperature, ill try to investigate the clutch theory (can you visibly see if its engaged?) or should you feel some temp change on the pipework from it perhaps? Is the aircon pump on the bottom of the aux belt run?

Is there anything special in the refrigerant volvo use? R134 seems to be the gas mentioned mostly in posts ive seen. Steven pity your not in kent ! thanks for the help guys, appreciated

[ASt85]

You could try FiAutocentres they operate in Kent and have a "no charge" offer if it doesn't work, can't say I've used them for aircon but when it comes to tyres etc. they are always the people to go to on price, & always found the mechanics/fitters friendly and happy to explain/show you what's broken/damaged/bent or what needs to be replaced soon and why etc. NO HARD SELL
http://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/air-conditioning.php

UK aircon pricing is roughly £1 to the $

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Thassos

Hi George n Kira, very useful info thanks, it has been working fine the day before and never struggled to get down to temperature, ill try to investigate the clutch theory (can you visibly see if its engaged?) or should you feel some temp change on the pipework from it perhaps? Is the aircon pump on the bottom of the aux belt run?

Is there anything special in the refrigerant volvo use? R134 seems to be the gas mentioned mostly in posts ive seen. Steven pity your not in kent ! thanks for the help guys, appreciated

The in/out clutch operation is barely perceptible because it moves so little, so you're talking millimetres (or fractions of mm) in shim removal to close the gap.
I'm having similar problems in very warm weather and am going to try the regas option.
My reason is that when the aircon does work (20 Celsius or below) it isn't as cold as it should be and I believe low gas can also trigger this operational fault of the clutch not kicking in.
It's a bit chicken and egg and it's sod's law I'll choose the wrong option first and end up doing both.

[Thassos]

Hi Cheshired,

Try looking at the centre of the aircon pulley (a bright torch needed) you should see it stationary when aircon is switched off and spinning when its ON, unless the design is different on earlier cars, but i doubt it somehow, on mine the pump clutch is working fine, its a split hose that is the culprit ! (happy that it wasnt the condenser as this is £450 part at volvo prices !)