BrickBoard Archives
The files contained in this listing have been automatically archived from the active forums. Because the vast majority of posts are now in one place, this archive is considered legacy. You should use the SEARCH feature OR choose your topic and select date tabs within the forum you choose.
A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by Pete on
Wednesday, 18 June 1997, at 6:09 a.m.
Hi on my 83 244 GL the ac gets to about 70 degrees on a warm day on REC. I had someone look at it and he said it's normal I believe he does alot of ac work. My compressor's making dry bearing sounds and he said as well as my Volvo mechanic said it's the belt. I tend to believe them. But I haven't had the chance to replace it yet. As far as ac temp goes I heard it's suposed to be between 40 and 50 deg F. I saw streaks in the glass bubble but both guys said that's normal and no recharge is neccesary. For them to say this sounds pretty honest, but I guess I just want to be sure I have the normal temp for my car. BTW My volvo is really crammped for my size 13 feet I adjusted the up and down of the seat F/R and the arm rest still cuts 3 " off my leg space and my foot gets caught on the panel by the pedals. I hope I get in an accident with a semi soon so I can say the inconvenience is worth it. Thanks
Re: A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by Chita on
Wednesday, 18 June 1997, at 10:53 a.m.
If 65 degrees is normal, then "normal" is inadequate. Plain nuts, in fact. I live in a desert area. Even the tiniest Datsun I ever had output A/C at 42-47 degrees. I wouldn't put gas in a car that gave me 65* air in return. <G>
Bluntly: somebody, somewhere, has got to be shining you on about this. Find yourself an A/C shop that does AutoFrost (406a) conversions. That's the only approved refigerant I've heard of that puts out colder air than R-12. (Assuming your A/C actually is operating normally, which I find hard to accept.)
Re: A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by Shatz on
Wednesday, 18 June 1997, at 4:22 p.m.
I've owned three 240s and none of them put out real , knock your socks off, cold air. My '86 is best, however. One of the differences is the four speed fan, instead of three. It at least blows in out with more forace and volume. When you put in a new heater fan (which you will, if you haven't already), you can upgrade to a four spead fan and switch.
The other thing to pay attention to is the evaporator. Humid air has the feel of warmer air, but it sounds like your system has actually been measured.
Re: A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by Herschel Redd on
Friday, 20 June 1997, at 7:00 p.m.
Basically early 240 A/C systems were inadequate for warmer climates. About the best I have been able to do is 55*F on my 87 245 DL. It takes a little work. BTW later 240's had a different evaporator, and an electric fan for the condensor. Here's what I did: Bought one of those aftermarket electric cooling fan. Installed it on the evaporator and wired it to kick in with A/C compressor. Bought some adhesive backed foam strips, the kind that are used to seal around doors. Get them at most auto parts stores, they're called weather stripping or something like that. Use strip to seal the gap between condensor and radiator and around the top of the fan shroud.
A/C works better than when new.
Basically, the engine driven fan doesn't move enough air through the condensor for stop and go traffic.
Hope it helps.
Herschel
Re: A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by abe crombie on
Wednesday, 18 June 1997, at 6:22 p.m.
That is not within reason for a 240 unless there is a problem. The problems that could be causing your A/C problems are: 1) hot water valve not sealing completely 2) faulty expansion valve (has to be checked by a competent person with gauges 3) condenser air flow problems [bad fan clutch, debris in condenser, etc.] 4) expansion valve sensing tube is not in contact with evaporator outlet pipe and is admitting too much freon into evaporator--yes, that's right I said TOO MUCH freon into evaporator. This is a common problem with 240's. Some models have this sensing tube stuck into evaporator case--bad place for it--some have the clamp rusted out that holds the tube against evap. outlet pipe. Evidence of too much freon is a profusely sweating rubber suction line leading back to compressor after you've driven a distance and car has had adequate opportunity to cool down w/o success. There are other possibilities but that is enough homework for you for one day.
Re: A/C Not cold enough![ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Wednesday, 18 June 1997, at 9:38 p.m.
A side note to Abe's post. You can pop the dash "center speaker" grille up and feel the heater core to check if the heater valve is shutting all the way. If the heater core is hot at all, the valve isn't shutting completely and must be fixed before you can expect maximum cooling.
Your "belt" noise. The early style (square York) compressor bracket mounting nuts would loosen (sometimes break the studs if left loose too long) and give the sound you describe. You can even look at the belt and see it moving excessively. This can be the entire compressor vibrating/rattling. Crawl under and check ALL the mounting nuts. 9/16" wrench size, I believe.