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98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

posted by  Kef on  Mon Sep 27 16:19 CST 2010
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last visit: Wed Sep 24 12:20 CST 2014
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Hi All,

I have an odd problem on my 98 S70...

With AC running in auto and both driver and passenger temperatures set to 72 degrees, the vents spew what appears to be 'visible' humidified air through the passenger side only. I'm a bit puzzled and worried about what is really coming out into the cabin!

One bit of information... The car has developed a leak on the driver side of the floor. I believe it is coolant leaking from the pipe fitting at the core. I know I will have fix the leak soon, but would this leak be the source of the unwanted humidified air coming out of the vents? If so, am I inhaling something I'm not supposed to?

I've always used Volvo coolants. Is the chemistry too different from the regular ethylene glycol ones?

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
-Kef








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    98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

    posted by  brickboard123 on  Wed Sep 29 10:33 CST 2010
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    last visit: Tue Feb 15 08:16 CST 2011
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    You should check your A/C refrigerant charge; one sign of being low on freon is for the A/C to put out unusually cold air, which can generate the fog/mist you are seeing. You could get one of the re-charge bottles they sell in parts stores that caome with a built in gauge, see if your are running low.








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    98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

    posted by  tmannian on  Mon Sep 27 22:18 CST 2010
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    When is the last time the cabin air filter was changed? It probably needs replacing.

    How does the air smell? Coolant doesn't really evaporate with cold air into a mist-like phenomena but if you're leaking refrigerant...

    Also have you checked the drain hose for any leaks? If water's backing up its possible its misting out.








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      98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

      posted by  Kef on  Tue Sep 28 04:47 CST 2010
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      The cabin air filter was replaced a couple of months ago. I'll check if the AC drain line is partially blocked, but I see drips of water underneath the car when the AC is on especially during humid days.

      I'm just wandering how moisture could be entering the AC duct and then make it through the vents. Now, I'm thinking that the core is the problem, and not necessarily the o-ring(s) that attached to it...

      Thanks,
      -Kef








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      98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

      posted by  Kef on  Tue Sep 28 04:47 CST 2010
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      last visit: Wed Sep 24 12:20 CST 2014
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      The cabin air filter was replaced a couple of months ago. I'll check if the AC drain line is partially blocked, but I see drips of water underneath the car when the AC is on especially during humid days.

      I'm just wandering how moisture could be entering the AC duct and then make it through the vents. Now, I'm thinking that the core is the problem, and not necessarily the o-ring(s) that attached to it...

      Thanks,
      -Kef








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        98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

        posted by  KlausC on  Tue Sep 28 07:12 CST 2010
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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        Just replace the heater core and tthe O rings at the core. Easy enough to do, so long as you take precautions to catch any spilled antifreeze - plastic bag, etc.

        Klaus
        --
        Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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          98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

          posted by  Kef on  Tue Sep 28 14:55 CST 2010
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          last visit: Wed Sep 24 12:20 CST 2014
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          Will do. Thank you, Herr Klaus!

          One quick question...

          I have seen the procedure to replace the core here:

          http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php/topic/35445-heater-hoses-and-o-ring-kits/

          My question is how do you remove the bottom panels. I can probably tinker with it and get to core slowly, but I was hoping there might be a procedure somewhere. Why re-invent the wheel...

          Thanks again,
          -Kef








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            98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

            posted by  tmannian on  Wed Sep 29 03:55 CST 2010
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            last visit: Sat Sep 20 10:31 CST 2014
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            Torx bolt holding each soundproofing panel in (driver and passenger). remove these. Remove carpet mountings on both sides. There's 5 screws on the heat exchanger cover.


            How I wish the evap was this easy to replace...








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            98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

            posted by  KlausC on  Tue Sep 28 16:46 CST 2010
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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            I assume you mean the center stack kick panels. It's been 3 years since I removed mine, or was that on an 850? They just slid forward??

            Klaus
            --
            Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.








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              98 S70 Visible Humidified Air from vents when AC is ON S70 1998

              posted by  Kef on  Tue Oct 12 15:06 CST 2010
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              last visit: Wed Sep 24 12:20 CST 2014
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              Just an update...

              It was indeed the core that was leaking, and the fittings/O-rings were fine. I went ahead and replaced the core o-rings with new ones anyway along with the heater core. No more humidified air is coming out the vents now.

              However, in the process of disconnecting the aluminum tubings from the core, I managed to crack the plastic coupling that is mounted on the firewall. Needless to say, a process that should have taken about an hour took much longer. I realized that I'd needed new parts (black plastic coupling), lots more o-rings, and plenty of time which I did not have.

              I managed to work around (rather through) the black plastic coupling with a little bit of creativity.

              Let me know if need the info as it is not necessarily a very safe thing to do.

              Thanks,
              -Kefle






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