A/C Repair Advice 2008 XC70

[CVOLVO]

Naturally I only discovered that my A/C was not working when the temperature exceeded 30C with higher humidity. The repair shop tried to recharge the system today and found a bad leak in the bottom of the condenser. They said the part is beyond repair and their estimate is at least 4 hours of labour to replace it and recharge the A/C. Oh yeah, I'm Canadian and I suspect the road salt sped up the corrosion. Is this another case of less expensive FoMoCo parts failing earlier than previous true Volvo OEM parts? Has anyone else had similar problems? Is 4 hours of labour realistic to replace the condenser? Thanks

Condenser was replaced and it appears the slow leak was around the nylon plug at the bottom of the condenser. I noticed a residual coolant leak and initially thought is was just due to a spill. After the repair, the "Coolant Low" message appeared on the instrument display. I refilled the reservoir but today the message reappeared and the smell/sight of fresh coolant appeared around the bottom driver's side radiator hose. The OBD-II was unable to reset the code, but after letting it stand and refill the reservoir, the code disappeared. I've booked a further inspection for tomorrow and will monitor later today.

[ssicarman]

Saying at least four hours of labour is not an estimate it is a guess. They should be giving a written in stone labour time. X number of hours to R&R the condenser and X number of hours to evacuate and recharge the system. Plus parts.

That said I actually don't know the labour times but four hours all in for R&R condenser and recharge is likely accurate. The condenser being mounted in front of the rad there is likely a fair bit of stuff to come out.

[XCovlov70]

Our 'old' V70 (Pre FoMoCo parts days) had the same problem at the bottom of the condenser, it just corroded away as it was very open to the elements.

I got a Volvo garage to replace it, but took it to an AC specialist to get it re-charged at 1/3 the price the Volvo Garage wanted for re-charging.

In all the 4 hours is about right but hunt around for someone who can recharge the unit and ask Volvo for 2 separate prices, one for a new unit and fitting and then a separate price for re-charging.

You might be nicely surprised by the what I found were substantial savings that can get you a few ice creams on the HOT days!

[CVOLVO]

Update: Final cost $1319 including the 13% HST - condenser was $584 + tax and rest was labour, refrigerant, oil, leak detector, etc





Thank you for both confirming the amount of time required to do the repair job and that this is a fault encountered outside of Canada.

Besides living over 80 km from the closest Volvo dealer, I avoid any dealership unless absolutely necessary. When I can't do the job myself, I trust a much closer garage in a nearby city. They know I'm interested in what the true problem is and what options are available, even if it involves me taking away business from them.

I was present when they tested the A/C yesterday by first confirming the compressor was still operational, then used their special machine to evacuate, then re-charge the A/C system. This device performs many tests with the dye enhanced refrigerant, placing the circuit under pressure and vacuum. According to the shop's manager, they essentially connect the testing unit, walk away for an hour and let it do its tests. Even if the leak is not visibly evident it will diagnose and pinpoint any faults.

They have ordered in an OEM condenser and I know they only quoted 4 hours as an estimate from their shop software book price. They will bill me for the actual time taken from previous repair work - that's why I trust this garage. I'm booked in tomorrow for the job and will report the final cost.

I'll post photos of the old part for others who will obviously be faced with the decision to repair or go without A/C (as we did many years ago with our first Volvos).

[CVOLVO]

As promised, the A/C repair was done to my satisfaction. It appears the bottom of the condenser, facing the grill has what appears to be a nylon plug and that's where the leak formed. Now that I think about it, the refrigerant leaked out slowly and you'll notice gradually reduced cooling as I did last summer. The frame of the condenser seems to be an alloy material and with the expansion and contraction of the metal, the nylon plug seems to loosen and with Canadian winters, allows road salt brine to ruin the threads. The replacement condenser is sealed at this point and has no nylon plug, so hopefully this repair will not be required (unless a rock punctures the condenser radiator fins). The total cost, with 3.9 hours labour, refrigerant, oil, leak detector (in case there's another leak), refilling the refrigerant, 13% HST (harmonized sales tax a.k.a. Government claw back) and those nebulous shop supplies was $1319. The replacement condenser was $584.40 + HST. I don't know if the nylon plug can be tightened as preventative maintenance, but with the very strange inner pattern, most likely not.

[img src="http://cvolvo.com/Golf/XC70 Condensor.jpg"]

[CVOLVO]

As promised, the A/C repair was done to my satisfaction. It appears the bottom of the condenser, facing the grill has what appears to be a nylon plug and that's where the leak formed. Now that I think about it, the refrigerant leaked out slowly and you'll notice gradually reduced cooling as I did last summer. The frame of the condenser seems to be an alloy material and with the expansion and contraction of the metal, the nylon plug seems to loosen and with Canadian winters, allows road salt brine to ruin the threads. The replacement condenser is sealed at this point and has no nylon plug, so hopefully this repair will not be required (unless a rock punctures the condenser radiator fins). The total cost, with 3.9 hours labour, refrigerant, oil, leak detector (in case there's another leak), refilling the refrigerant, 13% HST (harmonized sales tax a.k.a. Government claw back) and those nebulous shop supplies was $1319. The replacement condenser was $584.40 + HST. I don't know if the nylon plug can be tightened as preventative maintenance, but with the very strange inner pattern, most likely not.

[CVOLVO]

As promised, the A/C repair was done to my satisfaction. It appears the bottom of the condenser, facing the grill has what appears to be a nylon plug and that's where the leak formed. Now that I think about it, the refrigerant leaked out slowly and you'll notice gradually reduced cooling as I did last summer. The frame of the condenser seems to be an alloy material and with the expansion and contraction of the metal, the nylon plug seems to loosen and with Canadian winters, allows road salt brine to ruin the threads. The replacement condenser is sealed at this point and has no nylon plug, so hopefully this repair will not be required (unless a rock punctures the condenser radiator fins). The total cost, with 3.9 hours labour, refrigerant, oil, leak detector (in case there's another leak), refilling the refrigerant, 13% HST (harmonized sales tax a.k.a. Government claw back) and those nebulous shop supplies was $1319. The replacement condenser was $584.40 + HST. I don't know if the nylon plug can be tightened as preventative maintenance, but with the very strange inner pattern, most likely not.