"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
07/08/2020 at 14:43 • Filed to: None
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"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
07/08/2020 at 14:43 • Filed to: None | 0
| 10 |
w ant to screw with the AC system on the 850?
I’d like to get it sold soon, and I think the fact that the AC doesn’t work is dissuading a lot of people considering it’s been in the 90's here since last week. I’m a windows down, sunroof open kind of guy, but I can sympathize.
What I know is - the controls seem to work fine. I tried shimming the compressor clutch (weak clutches are apparently common on these cars ) but it didn’t help. I got a can of refrigerant with a pressure gauge on it and supposed “leak sealing additives” . The system was empty. I filled it up and it pretty quickly leaked back down again.
At this point I know I have leak and am fairly certain a hosed compressor. First I need to find the leak. I’ve seen sniffers, UV kits, etc. Any advice?
I’ve read that if you replace the compressor you should also replace the condenser. It’s about $300 for a compressor kit (with seals, accumulator, etc.) and a condenser on RockAuto.
H ow likely is it that I will go through with all this, only to fire it up and destroy the brand new compressor, blow refrigerant out other orifices, etc?
Sovande
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2020 at 14:57 |
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Ho w much of the dash ha s to come apart? I would bet it’s most of it, no? After you get everything installed I would have a pro charge it up. What are you trying to get for the car because all of that sounds expensive to me.
GoodIdeaAtTheTime
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2020 at 15:13 |
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Bring it to me. I’ll have it sorted in a few days . This is what I do for a living. Won’t be cheap, but it will work.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Sovande
07/08/2020 at 15:14 |
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I think it entirely depends on where the leak is coming from. If I can get away with replacing just the condenser and compressor, no dash removal. The dash only comes out if it’s the evaporator or one of the lines under there.
Parts c ost isn’t awful - the compressor and condenser will run about $300. A new evaporator is $50, and lines are about $30. So all in about $400 once you add in refrigerant .
I’m about $1400 into the car, I’d like to at least break even or maybe make a few hundred, but I’m not trying to get rich off it. I listed it at $2250, had a guy offer me $1800 for it, which I jumped on, but then he flaked.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> GoodIdeaAtTheTime
07/08/2020 at 15:23 |
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Where are you located?
And when you say “won’t be cheap”, can you at least give me a ballpark ?
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GoodIdeaAtTheTime
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2020 at 17:04 |
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Louisville KY.
Price depends on what the failure is. Component replacement is easy enough. I have no issues pulling dashes, dropping engines etc, I am set up for it. Parts prices are subjective, I can usually get a decent deal with employee discount from various sources. Again depends on what needs to be replaced. With the system being empty, a receiver dryer will be needed , at a minimum. I usually charge $40 for labor, at the moment I’ve only been doing $25 per book hour so...
compressor - $50 labor
evaporator - $200 labor
condenser - $25 labor
dryer - $30 labor
expansion valve $10
this is going off of a 95 850. I assumed Volvo, BMW is pretty much the same labor times . Just rebuilt the system on a friend’ s 840, she is ecstatic to have A/C again after 11 years.
Thisismydisplayname
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/08/2020 at 17:47 |
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AC systems aren’t all that bad if you can get access to the parts. If you want to try another can of refrigerant with UV dye, that may help you find the leak, which you should attempt before going any further, unless you’re all set to replace all the parts. When you have the system apart you can replace all the o-rings so unless your evaporator is leaking, you should be able to have a leak free system. If the compressor is wonky, or may be the source of your leak too, and that would simply things, but you will need to replace the dryer (desiccant) for sure. Because if refrigerant is leaking out, moisture is likely getting in.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> GoodIdeaAtTheTime
07/08/2020 at 21:27 |
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If I were closee I would, but I'm up in Washington, DC. But damn, those rates are very reasonable. I think my first step will be to test it and try to find the source of the leak.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Thisismydisplayname
07/08/2020 at 21:30 |
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I was looking at a kit which came with the compressor, oil, seals, and a dryer. So I would do all that for sure, and while at it I would swap out the condensor. But I think you're right, the first thing I need to do is find the source of the leak.
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Thisismydisplayname
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
07/09/2020 at 07:15 |
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Mainly just to make sure it’s not the evaporator core in the dash, because that’s the hardest part to replace. But try to find some refrigerant with dye in it, but no leak seal. That stuff is no good for the system.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Thisismydisplayname
07/09/2020 at 08:48 |
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Thanks for the advice. I think I’m going to tackle this. I was talking to a neighbor last night who has a set of hoses and gauges and stuff, so I’ll get the dye and charge it up and see what I can see. I’m hoping it’s just a simple seal, so I can just replace that and the compressor/condenser /dehydrator and call it good.