My Volvo 850 has an air con problem. There is a leak somewhere. Independant servicing garage says its a compressor leak. Main dealer says most likely evaporator leak. Neither could say for sure because the system has to be gassed up first which they say costs over £100. Either way its very expensive. Who is best to repair this type of thing? Main dealer, independant garage or air con specialist? If the compressor is fixed and I later find it's the evaporator after the gas has leaked it's a costly mistake.
I don't know if the independant garage has the gear to for this job but might just take the job to make the money and main dealer prices are scary for most jobs. I've no knowledge or experience of the air con specialists but wonder if they can be good at all makes and types of motor.
Can anyone help?
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I would suggest the air con specialist. If you do a search I believe a number of people have made reccommendations.
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Unfortunatley, 850's are renowned for leaking evaporators. Apart from one with a faulty relay, it's the only problem I've ever seen on them. However, that doesn't mean you haven't got a leak elsewhere. A leaking compressor should be easy to spot, as you can see it. An evaporator is more difficult, as you can't get to it to see it, or get close with a sniffer.
What makes your man think it's the compressor? The evaporator is usually diagnosed purely by the fact that you can't find a leak anywhere else!
If it's the evaporator, its a big job, as the whole dash has to be removed, together with airbags, centre console, basically everything you see in front of you as you sit in the seat. Therefore, it can be risky due to other problems that may develop, such as warning lights staying on, bulbs blown, creaks and rattles. Typical cost from a main dealer is about £950 inc VAT, whereas specialists may only charge about £600. As well as a new evaporator, a new accumulator should also be fitted. If you go to a specialist, make sure they have experience of the job, and wherever you go to, when you collect, may sure everything works, and I mean everything. Radio, fans, climate control, heated mirrors, and make sure no warning lights stay on, especially the airbag one.
It may well be that you have to pay for gassing in order for a diagnosis to be made, though it can be pressurised with oxygen free nitrogen and the compressor checked for leaks using bubble spray.
Come back if you need more info.
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Dave, thanks alot for your reply.I've since seen your very informative responses by searching in the history details. It sounds like a specialist might be the best for the job.
There's one thing I didn't mention, which is that the car was in a smash with alot of frontal and offside damage about two years ago. Don't know if there are any vunerable air con parts in this area that could've cracked and deteriorated showing fault later.
Thanks again.
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When i've worked with our air-con fitter leaks can somtimes be seen as a "light oil stain" he usually puts gas in to show the leaks ,and somtimes if the leaks on metal bits we can gas weld for a repair.
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>I've no knowledge or experience of the air con specialists but wonder if they can be good at all makes and types of motor.
Andrew if you look at the quality of Dave N's reply I think you have you answer.
David
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Andrew, most of the a/c parts are at the front and offside, so have a good look around. I would have thought it would have gone before now if that was the case, but you never know, something may have been left to rub or corrosion got in. As Jud said, a leak can quite often be seen by an oil stain, as oil comes out with the refrigerant (usually), so spend an hour or so looking very carefully at all the pipework, joints, hoses supported by 'P' clips etc for a slight stain and any dirt stuck to them. Also look for areas of corrosion on the ally pipes as it's amazing how soon they can get eaten into. You'll have to remove the undertray and get your head under to get a good look around the lower pipework and compressor. If it's a turbo, you'll have to disregard the oil around the bottom of the intercooler. There's a couple of places the compressor can leak, one is around the body seal, the other is the shaft seal. If it's the shaft seal you'll see an oily clutch, as well as muck around the compressor where the oil has been thrown out centrifugally (?). The reason I know 850's inside out is because evaporator leaks are so hard to diagnose on these that I have to be absolutely certain there isn't a leak anywhere else first. Unfortunately, some of the pipework and connectors are pretty impossible to see, so time spent removing and moving a few bits and pieces for a better view is time well spent.
I'll ask again though, what made your man think it's the compressor leaking?
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I don't know what made him say the compressor was leaking. It was quite a while ago and I've only just got the funds to be able to do anything about repairs. Removing undertrays is a bit beyond me. I started this discusssion to get a bit of background knowlege and advice about where to go as I'm worried about getting ripped off or taken for a ride. This is an expensive repair and I don't know who to trust! I'm in the Preston area in Lancashire and if you know any specialists that can be trusted I'd be grateful if you would met me know. I've tried one or two links via HJ's FAQs but none seem to be in this area.
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Try www.aircon-climate.com, I think he comes down your way, and is very reputable.
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I get a 'can't find the address' message when putting in the address you suggested. Is the address correct or do you know another method of contact?
Thanks again.
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