S40 T5 Aircon issues

domhart10 · May 19th, 2020, 07:50

Hi guys,

When having my aircon on it is initially nice and cold to start of with for a few mins then it starts to disappear while I am driving. When I switch the aircon off for a bit and then turn it back on, the cold air comes back but for only a couple of mins again.

Im thinking that maybe its the compressor thats the problem?

Welton · May 19th, 2020, 08:20

Sounds a bit like the evaporator is freezing up so it would be worth reading for any faulty sensors on VIDA etc.

PNM · May 19th, 2020, 09:23

I would check that it doesn't need regassing first, could just be low refrigerant pressure. Failing that it could be the compressor clutch gap https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...Compressor+gap

lockstock · May 19th, 2020, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by domhart10

Hi guys,

When having my aircon on it is initially nice and cold to start of with for a few mins then it starts to disappear while I am driving. When I switch the aircon off for a bit and then turn it back on, the cold air comes back but for only a couple of mins again.

Im thinking that maybe its the compressor thats the problem?

I'm fairly sure blowing cold then hot, then cold is a known failure of the compressor clutch. You can read up on it. If the condensor has failed, or it has lost gas it will not run cold at all.

domhart10 · May 19th, 2020, 12:58

yeh thats whats leads me to think the compressor and that gap issue as the air con when it works is still nice and cold.

I have a regas can but it doesnt work cause of the fault with the system

domhart10 · Dec 2nd, 2020, 08:41

Just closing this thread as issue was resolved pretty quickly.

Issue was with the clutch gap.

The Fix:

I removed the driver side wheel and wheel arch to gain access to the ac clutch. With the car turned on and the ac switch off I could see the clutch wasnt engaged which is correct, after turning on the ac switch, I could see the clutch then engage and spin but shortly after, stop spinning.

After getting a feeler guage, I saw the gap was far from the required gap 0.3 and was around 0.8.

I then took some zip ties around the clutch to reduce the gap back to 0.3. I then turned the car back on and made sure the clutch engaged and disengaged correctly.

About 6 - 7 months now and the ac is still running well.

LizardOfBodom · Dec 2nd, 2020, 11:17

Cr*p, missed your original post in May, would have directed you to compressor gap straight away (gone torugh this last year) sorry :/
Alternative to cable ties are also metal shims or bread-bag clips (yea!

.
glad ur sorted.

domhart10 · Dec 2nd, 2020, 14:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

Cr*p, missed your original post in May, would have directed you to compressor gap straight away (gone torugh this last year) sorry :/
Alternative to cable ties are also metal shims or bread-bag clips (yea!

.
glad ur sorted.

No probs at all! yes I saw those alternatives but after measuring the gap I then measured the ziptie thickness and it was perfect! So put that around all the rings.

Welton · Dec 2nd, 2020, 14:51

Any pics of this re-gapping process?

LizardOfBodom · Dec 2nd, 2020, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welton

Any pics of this re-gapping process?

There is detailed info on US forum (not sure I can link it here) or have a look at YT video, think its on V70 but principals remain the same.

May 19th, 2020, 07:50	#1
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Yesterday 23:31 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	S40 T5 Aircon issues Hi guys, When having my aircon on it is initially nice and cold to start of with for a few mins then it starts to disappear while I am driving. When I switch the aircon off for a bit and then turn it back on, the cold air comes back but for only a couple of mins again. Im thinking that maybe its the compressor thats the problem? __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

May 19th, 2020, 08:20	#2
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	Sounds a bit like the evaporator is freezing up so it would be worth reading for any faulty sensors on VIDA etc. __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

May 19th, 2020, 12:58	#5
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Yesterday 23:31 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	yeh thats whats leads me to think the compressor and that gap issue as the air con when it works is still nice and cold. I have a regas can but it doesnt work cause of the fault with the system __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

Dec 2nd, 2020, 08:41	#6
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Yesterday 23:31 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	Just closing this thread as issue was resolved pretty quickly. Issue was with the clutch gap. The Fix: I removed the driver side wheel and wheel arch to gain access to the ac clutch. With the car turned on and the ac switch off I could see the clutch wasnt engaged which is correct, after turning on the ac switch, I could see the clutch then engage and spin but shortly after, stop spinning. After getting a feeler guage, I saw the gap was far from the required gap 0.3 and was around 0.8. I then took some zip ties around the clutch to reduce the gap back to 0.3. I then turned the car back on and made sure the clutch engaged and disengaged correctly. About 6 - 7 months now and the ac is still running well. __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

Dec 2nd, 2020, 11:17	#7
LizardOfBodom WowIcanwriteAnythingHere! Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Dublin/Meath	Crp, missed your original post in May, would have directed you to compressor gap straight away (gone torugh this last year) sorry :/ Alternative to cable ties are also metal shims or bread-bag clips (yea! . glad ur sorted. __________________ 2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune* E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads

May 19th, 2020, 09:23	#3
PNM Member Last Online: Today 15:10 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midlands	I would check that it doesn't need regassing first, could just be low refrigerant pressure. Failing that it could be the compressor clutch gap https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...Compressor+gap

Dec 2nd, 2020, 14:51	#9
Welton Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Market Harborough	Any pics of this re-gapping process? __________________ 2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?)

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