Volvo S40 Air Con, high quote?

buachailldana

Hello all,

I got the air con gas recharged in my 2010 S40 1.6D about 4 weeks ago, as I noticed that it wasn't getting cold anymore. 92k miles on the clock, serviced regularly at Volvo dealer (was a company car).

All was good for about a week, blowing nice and cold. After this, I discovered that it would take 5-10 mins after switching on the a/c before it cooled down. Now, it doesn't get cold at all.

If I leave the car idling, I can hear the compressor clicking on and off repeatedly.

Got a quote of €900 (!!) from a Volvo main dealer to replace the air con rad (I think he said?). This was just from a description of the issue, no diagnostics run.

Anyone diagnostically minded individual able to guess what the problem might be? And it €900 the norm? If so, it will be windows down for me for the rest of the summer! Thanks.

Clearlier

The compressor went on my Mazda 5 and I've been quoted £600 (I live in the UK) to replace it. Torn as the car isn't worth more than about £2,500 and I had intended to keep it for another few years. Interestingly the independent garage I normally use quoted more than the main dealer.

bear1

buachailldana wrote: »

Hello all,

I got the air con gas recharged in my 2010 S40 1.6D about 4 weeks ago, as I noticed that it wasn't getting cold anymore. 92k miles on the clock, serviced regularly at Volvo dealer (was a company car).

All was good for about a week, blowing nice and cold. After this, I discovered that it would take 5-10 mins after switching on the a/c before it cooled down. Now, it doesn't get cold at all.

If I leave the car idling, I can hear the compressor clicking on and off repeatedly.

Got a quote of €900 (!!) from a Volvo main dealer to replace the air con rad (I think he said?). This was just from a description of the issue, no diagnostics run.

Anyone diagnostically minded individual able to guess what the problem might be? And it €900 the norm? If so, it will be windows down for me for the rest of the summer! Thanks.

900e to replace the air con radiator? Fleeced is the thought that comes to mind.
The compressor will click as it goes on and off and it's always a good sign when it clicks as that mean the compressor is working.
You may have a leak which doesn't necessarily mean it's the rad, it could simply be the pipes.
Have it pressure checked by someone who tops up AC gas.
If the rad has a hole it's very easy to find out.

mullingar

buachailldana wrote: »

Hello all,

I got the air con gas recharged in my 2010 S40 1.6D about 4 weeks ago, as I noticed that it wasn't getting cold anymore. 92k miles on the clock, serviced regularly at Volvo dealer (was a company car).

All was good for about a week, blowing nice and cold. After this, I discovered that it would take 5-10 mins after switching on the a/c before it cooled down. Now, it doesn't get cold at all.

If I leave the car idling, I can hear the compressor clicking on and off repeatedly.

Got a quote of €900 (!!) from a Volvo main dealer to replace the air con rad (I think he said?). This was just from a description of the issue, no diagnostics run.

Anyone diagnostically minded individual able to guess what the problem might be? And it €900 the norm? If so, it will be windows down for me for the rest of the summer! Thanks.

Bring it to an car a/c repair company.

Second option is go to Fast Fit and they will do a leak check/refill

stimpson

Try this guy if you're in Dublin

http://www.carairconditioning.ie/

He quoted me €150 to replace the compressor on my S60 (not including parts). eurocarparts have a compressor for £150 so I'm planning on getting it done soon. I didn't even ask Volvo!

keithclancy

buachailldana wrote: »

Hello all,

I got the air con gas recharged in my 2010 S40 1.6D about 4 weeks ago, as I noticed that it wasn't getting cold anymore. 92k miles on the clock, serviced regularly at Volvo dealer (was a company car).

All was good for about a week, blowing nice and cold. After this, I discovered that it would take 5-10 mins after switching on the a/c before it cooled down. Now, it doesn't get cold at all.

If I leave the car idling, I can hear the compressor clicking on and off repeatedly.

Got a quote of €900 (!!) from a Volvo main dealer to replace the air con rad (I think he said?). This was just from a description of the issue, no diagnostics run.

Anyone diagnostically minded individual able to guess what the problem might be? And it €900 the norm? If so, it will be windows down for me for the rest of the summer! Thanks.

Mine went on the V50, cost 440 euros for parts and labour.

buachailldana

Thanks for all the info.

I originally went to FastFit (in Cork) to get the air con gas recharged a few weeks ago; seems that they just filled it without checking for leaks/damage, would make be somewhat hesitant to go back to them again? I took the car to them with faulty a/c, asked them to look at it, and they said "Oh, that just needs a recharge!". So wasted my money there in getting the gas recharged if there is a hole present.

I am thinking that the compressor is OK, as I said, I can hear it coming on and off.

Mine went on the V50, cost 440 euros for parts and labour.

Was this for a compressor Keith, or an A/C rad?

I'm in Cork, a Google search does not throw up any promising Air Con specialists in Cork so any recommendations welcome.

keithclancy

buachailldana wrote: »

Thanks for all the info.

I originally went to FastFit (in Cork) to get the air con gas recharged a few weeks ago; seems that they just filled it without checking for leaks/damage, would make be somewhat hesitant to go back to them again? I took the car to them with faulty a/c, asked them to look at it, and they said "Oh, that just needs a recharge!". So wasted my money there in getting the gas recharged if there is a hole present.

I am thinking that the compressor is OK, as I said, I can hear it coming on and off.

Was this for a compressor Keith, or an A/C rad?

I'm in Cork, a Google search does not throw up any promising Air Con specialists in Cork so any recommendations welcome.

It was for the condenser, apparently its a well known problem on the Volvos. You can spot the whole with a UV Lamp.

This is in Holland though, although I would expect Ireland to be cheaper.

gibbon75

keithclancy wrote: »

This is in Holland though, although I would expect Ireland to be cheaper.

Unfortunately it isn't: the condenser alone is around 400 (I've ordered two of these this week...)

keithclancy

gibbon75 wrote: »

Unfortunately it isn't: the condenser alone is around 400 (I've ordered two of these this week...)

He ordered the part from Poland for me.
Small indy garage around the corner, spotting the problem when he was re-gassing it

gibbon75

keithclancy wrote: »

He ordered the part from Poland for me.
Small indy garage around the corner, spotting the problem when he was re-gassing it

Btw how are the dutch garages?

keithclancy

gibbon75 wrote: »

Btw how are the dutch garages?

Pretty much the same IMO, main stealers, crappy chain places and some decent indies with a few cowboys around the place

buachailldana

So anyway, my car was written off by an uninsured driver that fled the scene before I could get this fixed...............:mad:

Bright side, at least no expensive a/c to fix :rolleyes: