aircon recharge

**monkey_boy** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 09:13

Anyone know where the aircon recharge connection is? I have located one connector (the cap has "max 6Nm" on it. but i cant see another. The "aircon" expert from Halfords didnt have a clue admitting never having seen under the bonnet of a T5 before.

I know a recharge place but i want to make sure that the guy doing the work knows where he is pumping coolant!

Any ideas?

**T5ER** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 09:54

mine has only got one aswell ???? dont know mate

**dreadly** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 11:54

I have got the same problem..... - But the theory goes something like this...

The cap at the top is apparantly for evac (evacuation of the system) - the port you need is the low pressure port just before the compressor.
I havn't found it on my S60, but I havn't been able to have a good look yet, theory says it should be as close to the pump as possible, I suspect access to it will be somewhere under the front offside wheel arch near the compressor.

I was however told by a guy who is a qualified air-con engineer that not all cars support low-pressure gassing, some cars have to be pressure filled or have a port fitted to the low pressure side!

**NugentS** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 13:49

The modern cars have two points, 1 high pressure and 1 low pressure. The recharge cycle doesn't take terribly long.

The older cars only have 1 point and you need to hold a vacuum for about 40 minutes before charging.

Sean

**dreadly** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 13:56

Originally Posted by NugentS

The modern cars have two points, 1 high pressure and 1 low pressure. The recharge cycle doesn't take terribly long.

The older cars only have 1 point and you need to hold a vacuum for about 40 minutes before charging.

Sean

Out of interest....

What do you class as modern, mines an '03' reg - reg-July 03

Mine only appears to have one port, it's blady confusing.

**monkey_boy** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 14:31

Hmmm. I have a workshop manual on CD. I think i may take a look at that. However it is an eBay one so i wont hold my breath. If anyone does find out/know. Please continue the thread

I have a 2000 C70 T5. I would class that as modern (ME7 lump). I had a bloody good nose under the bonnet. I can only see this one cap. It is pretty close to the reservoir.

How do you hold a vacuum for 40 minutes?

**Rbphot** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 17:11

Hi Just had my AC serviced yesterday at SWauto's and my 98 V70R only has one connector, but stu did say all newer volvos come with two, so it must be there somewhere.

As for the vac and fill you need the proper specialist kit, mine was on the system for about 45-60mins, then leak sealer and a booster added before oil and gas refill.

The vent temps went down to 9.8 0cwhen measured at vent, it felt soo good driving back to london!

01c70t5 · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 19:09

Your local dealership might be offering a service on your air con at £40. Doesn't sound that bad to me, although Stratstone Stockport have a 3 week wait!

**waynebaggies** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 19:10

expert from Halfords

you having a laugh
if it's not a push bike or a tin of wax they aint got a clue

**t5tart** · Wednesday 5th July 2006, 22:22

mine has 2
but i think its a retro fit
on ontop of the dryer already shown and this one under the top engune mount

**monkey_boy** · Thursday 6th July 2006, 09:23

Yeah. My Halfords "expert" was meant in a sarcastic way

The kid didnt have a clue. He couldnt even open the damn bonnet!

**t5tart** · Thursday 6th July 2006, 09:32

haha well they are tricky with those catches..i mean his one braincell was probably admiring a piece of skirt

**NugentS** · Thursday 6th July 2006, 10:38

Originally Posted by dreadly

Out of interest....

What do you class as modern, mines an '03' reg - reg-July 03

Mine only appears to have one port, it's blady confusing.

Hmmm - dunno. I though much past 98/99 had two points. But it seems that I am wrong.

Maybe its S60's etc have two points.

Sean

**dreadly** · Thursday 6th July 2006, 20:30

WOW, I have just found the low pressure input port on the S60, it now becomes so clear!!! - Of course... It's underneath the power steering fluid reservour! - Where bloody else would it be for easy access.

Not being sarcastic or anything, but come on vovlo, whats that about?

**audimadmike** · Thursday 6th July 2006, 22:48

Its on the pipe coming from the evaporator (with the heater matrix) to the compressor, its always on the side of the compressor with the largest pipe diameter. the smaller pipe goes to the condenser (radiator) the high pressure side. From memory I believe it is the connection in the first photo posted.

A vacuum is held with a vacuum pump and is THE ONLY way to remove air and moisture before adding gas. This is why the Halfords kits are not much use. You can't top up a leaking system..its illegal (£20,000 fine and 5 years inside!!) if caught. And if there is no gas in the system you can't just add gas because there will be air in the pipework.

Mike