850 Ac Evaporator Swap - Sources For Special Tools To Help It Go Well?

[mbsl98]

I finally got a formal diagnosis of my AC leak on '95 855T as the evaporator, with a $1400. quote to fix.... Not going that route, so I am working myself up to the idea of doing it at home, with just the recharge by a shop. There won't be any freon in the system to recapture when I take it apart due to the size of the leak. Many of the numerous posts I have read have a common complaint: The "hardest" part of the job said to be disconnecting the so-called "quick disconnect" fittings on AC lines to the evaporator. My request now is for hints on the best set of tools to buy to take care of this one job. I'd rather buy good ones than struggle for hours on two fittings, although I won't need them to last very long (maybe two other evap jobs over time).

Other than these fittings, the rest of the job seems to be a test of stamina rather than technical skill. Seems to be a matter of carefully unbolting part after part, keeping track, lots of pictures, and access to another car for a few days. Anyone have a view of that aspect? Right now, a full charge lasts about one week, but when charged, all works fine.

If I did the heater core at teh same time, are there other tools for those lines?

Finally, the accumulator/drier also has a special fitting, but not sure if that is a quick disconnect like the evaporator, or something else again. Does this connection need special tool of techniques too?

Thanks,

[Ronny]

Just above where you posted this question, there is a pinned thread called "Volvospeed useful threads for repairs". In that thread you will find all the information you need to do it yourself or not because $1400.00 may be worthwhile considering the amount of time you will need to do the job. But, that's your choice, it could be a good challenging and possibly satisfying project.

[mbsl98]

Thanks Ronny. That is where I first read all of the comments about the AC lines being the bigggest pain in the whole job. On rereading everything, I did find one reference to a Snap-On part number for teh Ford tool, which I messed before.

Remaining question: is there a tool for the Accumulator connector too? Or what is needed there (for the flanged connection). I saw one comment recently that this must be braised, but I have never seen any other comment on doing it. If it needs to be braised, I would expect to see comments from a number of folks on how to do that. (I don't know how to braise either, just solder). My AC shop did one for our '98 XC last year, and wound up replacing one of the connecting lines as well (don't know which one, but it was about a $150 part). They said that it is often impossible to break one of the connections on the accumulator, and generally more cost effedtive to just go ahead and replace teh related line. I don't think he was referring to the flanged joint but not sure.