My 850 is 10 years old. The air conditioner has ceased functioning. I shut it off after 5-6 minutes of barely (if any) cooled air while driving (first attempt at using it this season). I could feel the compressor clutch disengage when I did so.

Local dealer wants nearly $200 to evacuate + recharge the system (with a dye so that when the recharged refrigerant disappears they'll know from where it escaped and then can repair "the leak"(?) plus another nearly $200 to evacuate + recharge the system again). (If that makes so much sense, then how come the factory refrigerant charge didn't come with a dye already in it...?)

I'd been thinking of replacing the car for years already, but the engine's just getting broken in (29 mpg on latest extended excursion), and newer cars tend to be slower and/or much more fuelish... OTOH, I could pour a lot of money into this middle-aged car if I wanted to cure it's every ill.

Evaporator failures are rare in my area, and mine's had a pollen filter installed since day 2, so I'm hopeful it's not that.

Decisions, decisions...

Advice? DIY recharge kit alternative? Sources?

TIA,

- Dave; '95 854T, 160K mi


(BTW, the car also needs summer tires. The Goodyear Eagle GS-D3s didn't work out... If anyone can suggest a smooth-riding good-performing 205/50-16, please do.)