940 air con

[jasons]

Hi All,

I have a 940 auto 2.3 I want to save from scrap, the a/c condenser has rotted away bad.

If I fit a new condenser and dryer & regass, what are the chances of the A/C working again?
Is the system reliable or do they suffer compressor failures or issues elsewhere?
Just trying to gauge if its worth fixing the A/C or just use the windows lol.

[griston64]

Originally Posted by jasons

Hi All,

I have a 940 auto 2.3 I want to save from scrap, the a/c condenser has rotted away bad.

If I fit a new condenser and dryer & regass, what are the chances of the A/C working again?
Is the system reliable or do they suffer compressor failures or issues elsewhere?
Just trying to gauge if its worth fixing the A/C or just use the windows lol.

Windows will be a lot less hassle

[360beast]

The main issue I have found are the condensors rot and the o-rings on the end of the two pipes that go in to the cindenaor fail causing a leak at the clamp. Renew the o-rings in the system, new condensor and regas should see it sorted.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by jasons

Hi All,

I have a 940 auto 2.3 I want to save from scrap, the a/c condenser has rotted away bad.

If I fit a new condenser and dryer & regass, what are the chances of the A/C working again?
Is the system reliable or do they suffer compressor failures or issues elsewhere?
Just trying to gauge if its worth fixing the A/C or just use the windows lol.

Windows will use a lot more fuel! Find a new condenser, reciever-dryer, renew the "O" rings as Luke suggested then have it vacuumed down and leak tested before the new gas is put in. It will cost a little extra but i'd suggest adding a leak sealer and leak detector dye as well. Also find an AC specialist to do the gas work for you, the "high st chains" such as Fik-Wit, Hellfrauds etc only know how to add a bit of gas and not much else.

https://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/re...-sep-1997.html

Reciever-dryer ^^^^^

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...iator&_sacat=0

Many condensers on fleabay ^^^^^, different shapes and sizes or have a word with Luke to see if he might have a secondhand condenser in good condition.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Windows will use a lot more fuel! Find a new condenser, reciever-dryer, renew the "O" rings as Luke suggested then have it vacuumed down and leak tested before the new gas is put in. It will cost a little extra but i'd suggest adding a leak sealer and leak detector dye as well. Also find an AC specialist to do the gas work for you, the "high st chains" such as Fik-Wit, Hellfrauds etc only know how to add a bit of gas and not much else.

https://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/re...-sep-1997.html

Reciever-dryer ^^^^^

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...iator&_sacat=0

Many condensers on fleabay ^^^^^, different shapes and sizes or have a word with Luke to see if he might have a secondhand condenser in good condition.

A used condensor in good condition! You must be laaaaarrrrrrfing Dave, they crumble to dust when you touch them haha.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 360beast

A used condensor in good condition! You must be laaaaarrrrrrfing Dave, they crumble to dust when you touch them haha.

I was kind of hoping you'd say something like that Luke!

They're definitely one of the things that aren't worth buying used!

[volvo always]

Around 4 years ago I had my AC system on my 1996 940 re-gassed. Didn't last long as leaked out! Condenser and compressor leaking.

Fitted new Nissens condenser and a used compressor for £30 off ebay.

Had garage fit compressor and re-gassed and had working AC for 4 months, then leaking at clamp.

Ordered new Volvo O rings but still leaked even though said passed pressure test.

I need to try a slightly larger size O ring as suspect AC pipes and aftermarket AC Condenser is slightly too large.

Next year I have some better condition AC pipes and may try again! Problem is most places as soon as you mention 940, it takes a lot of gas, so want to charge you £80-100 for it. Don't mind so long as it doesn't leak out.

If I try again I'll get a mobile AC specialist out to really test it. Hopefully the evaparator is ok! So far probably spent £300 on AC!

Removing my old AC clamp was a pig of a job. Took me around 2 days of cutting, hammer/bolster chisel.

James.

[jasons]

thanks guys, will fit new condensor and dryer, and o-rings seals, I guess the green (nitrile?) ones?

Will likely get from autodoc as in EU prices are similar to UK.

I will likely keep this in france a few years assuming the Douanes (customs) only charge me duty on what I paid for the car - 32% of 75euro lol.

In France we pay a lot to get the registration in our name, for this its a one off fee of 265euro just to do the equiv of a V5!!!
but on the upside there's no road tax and no tolls in this region and insurance should be 100euro a year, so I don't mind smoking around in this old barge for the cost of fuel, we love the blackberry colour, tbh if it was any other colour I'd probably just move it on.
And who knows, maybe in 10 years time it may be worth a few quid?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by jasons

thanks guys, will fit new condensor and dryer, and o-rings seals, I guess the green (nitrile?) ones?

Will likely get from autodoc as in EU prices are similar to UK.

I will likely keep this in france a few years assuming the Douanes (customs) only charge me duty on what I paid for the car - 32% of 75euro lol.

In France we pay a lot to get the registration in our name, for this its a one off fee of 265euro just to do the equiv of a V5!!!
but on the upside there's no road tax and no tolls in this region and insurance should be 100euro a year, so I don't mind smoking around in this old barge for the cost of fuel, we love the blackberry colour, tbh if it was any other colour I'd probably just move it on.
And who knows, maybe in 10 years time it may be worth a few quid?

The "O" rings to ues if you can get them are Viton "O" rings, they have a more stable rubber than the standard nitrile rings so they cope with extremes of temperature better than the normal ones. Usually the Viton ones are green and the normal ones black but double check in case it's different in France.

Your location says Derbyshire so i posted links to UK sellers, autodoc should be able to get the bits to you fairly easily though with less aggro from customs than if they were sending to the UK at the moment.

Not sure on the climate in wherever you may be but if you get mists and condensation in the winter, AC is great for clearing the screen quicker than standard heating as it puts heated, dried air onto the screen, not heated, damp air like the normal basic heating system does.

Good luck getting it sorted and enjoy your time driving it before the CT says "non!"