For those who have made strides with A/C, can you get me started?

I have a beautifully maintained 82 240D, that when I bought, the 22yr 2nd owner said that all the system needed was a charge. Of course, I did not believe that, but the way this car is, it may very well be the truth. I am open to the possibility, but also know it might be a project.

So where do I start? I have been searching the DIYs but am not really sure what I need, a test, a recharge, are there simple things to tell if the electrical and compression systems are working before testing the pressure etc?

Thanks for any links you can provide.

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1982 240D (4-speed)
1988 Volvo 240DL (5-speed wagon)
1999 Volvo V70
2002 Volvo XC70 (the grocery getter)

I am with Sulawesi, in that I would be interested in "what to check first when your system status is unknown".


Ok I guess the R/D is Reciever/Drier, but what is a TXV? Is that the Expansion Valve that lives in the dash?

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85 300D 3 pedal. Current project.
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

Yes, the R/D is the receiver/drier & the TXV is the expansion valve. On the '87 300Ds (124), the expansion valve is under the hood, sorta behind the windshield wiper motor. You can readily see it from the drivers side if you look under the base of the windshield near the wiper. Took my indy about an hour to swap it out. He did use some special tools to do it, though.
On 123s, the TXV is under the dash, so I am told...

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed

Yeah, you might be right. But the chart says 170-210 hi side for that ambient, so I figured I was close enough. Will keep an eye on it now that I have gauges. I'm pretty stoked about it working, though. We'll see what happens this week when the temps reach into the lower 90s.

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed

You might have better luck if you start another thread with your particular issues described in detail. This one's pretty much played out...

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed