Air-conditioning repair or delete on late model 240

lasercowboy

Has anyone done the air-con delete on a post-87 240? The internet seems very divided on the best way to accomplish this - specifically where to run the belt for the power steering pump once the compressor has been removed. Some use longer bolts and spacers on the PS pump mount to bring the pump forward in line with the forward-most crank pulley, but this can result in the bolts/mounts bending and all sorts of problems. Others run the PS pump directly from the middle crank pulley groove, but this means running the alternator/water pump with only one belt, which I'm really not keen to do.

I suppose an alternative and potentially more attractive solution would be to actually troubleshoot the air conditioning and get it working, but I'm kinda out of my depth there - where would I start, in terms of testing the functionality of components? I'm guessing there's no gas in the system, and I have no idea if the compressor/clutch are working.

As always, wisdom from you wonderful folk is very much appreciated!

Philia_Bear

Remove belt powered pump
Add vw or P1 electric pump

Remove a lot of unneeded weight

What's wrong with the ac?

lasercowboy

Philia_Bear;71867 wrote What's wrong with the ac?

That's the million dollar question! I have no idea - so the short and silly answer is "it doesn't work". I'm not familiar with Volvo air-con (as it didn't really exist on older models in the UK) so I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting, other than the fact it's obviously very likely to have no gas in.

Major Ledfoot

lasercowboy;71869 wroteI'm not familiar with Volvo air-con (as it didn't really exist on older models in the UK) so I'm not sure where to start troubleshooting [....]

Start with TP30461/1and you can choose where to finish.
http://www.240.se/litteratur/tp30461.pdf
EDIT: PS - this one may also be handy for diagnostics.
http://www.volvowiringdiagrams.com/volvo/240%20Wiring%20Diagrams/TP11584-1%20Volvo%20240%20Air%20Conditioning%20Repair%20and%20Maintenance.pdf

Ovlover

If there is no gas in the system or the gas pressure is very low, the low pressure switch won't permit the system to start. That way the compressor doesn't run continuously and seize.

If you want to keep and fix it, it's not hard. Quite easy actually....having the gear or someone what does is 90% of the job - pitty you're in VIC. If you're fixed on pulling it out, make sure the crank pulley and p/s pulley line up, measure it and go down to Bursons and see what they have.

jaykenneally

Rico, consider keeping the air con. I haven't investigated the one on my 240, but Im told the pressure switch leaked all the gas out so all I need to do is replace that and regas it. On mums old 85 240, the gas was removed (decommissioned) as it was the old style gas. We had it converted to R134a and regassed for not much money at all, its ice cold now. Air con problems rarely eventuate into a big repair bill, its usually minor stuff.

lasercowboy

Ok guys, you have strengthened my resolve to at least troubleshoot the existing system first, and figure out if it's economically repairable. Add it to the list next time it comes into Berry's @JeremyK ;)

Vee_Que

The later ones are pretty simple. Ac in general is easy. Just hoses add up fast.

perko

If you do want to remove the ac, there are two main options I would suggest.

First is just running a single alt belt and p/s from the centre pulley. Belts are pretty strong and I can't remember the last time I had one snap on me due to wear. They will fray severely to let you know they're about to break, just carry a spare and if the alternator light comes on then it's broken and time to swap (which takes all of 10 minutes anyway).

If you're moving the pump, I would be changing the bracket rather than using longer bolts and spacers because of the already mentioned danger of bending bolts. My car has the big combo u-shaped bracket which I just cut in half and drilled new holes in so that the pump sits lower and further forward. Clears up room above and means you can have the double alt belt (although autobarn only had 1 belt in stock anyway when I went in).

I personally don't like having a/c on and will drive with the windows down even in cars with it so it never made sense for me to spend any time repairing mine.

Ravanelli

There is very little to the air conditioning in the Volvo 240. If it is not working the likely suspect is the the compressor and these are a dime a dozen at a wreckers.