Just bought an '08 C70. Air con issue.

[anonymous-user]

Just driven home in my new (to me) 2008 C70 D5 SE Lux manual. Brilliant car, and it really shows up what nails the other two I've test driven are despite their very low mileages. Astonished by how good the Dynaudio system is!

Air con isn't working, although the seller says it was working but weak a while ago and I believe him. I gather there have been issues with condensers on these, I was wondering if anyone knows if Volvo are helping out with the cost on 6+ year old cars or if I'm on my own...

[anonymous-user]

Yeah looks that way. Going in Monday to get it replaced, £320 odd so not that bad really. Not good for 6 years old though, they usually seem to make it to 10 before dying!

[anonymous-user]

Condenser. I've found the part online for £100 ish, they are quoting £130 and the rest is labour and the £50 charge to regass etc. Seems about right from phoning a couple of places, they are all £350 - £400. Yes I could do it myself but to be frank 4-6 hours of my limited free time spent working out how to get the sodding thing out is worth more than the £200 labour charge. Working on cars is a greatly overrated activity, I foolishly decided to service it myself today and am still aching from the ridiculous contortions I had to pull to get the cabin multifilter changed

[anonymous-user]

FivePotTurbo said:

Well I've got away with just a re-gas, and no leaks detected by the garage. Fingers crossed it holds and there isn't a slow leak.

Yeah that's what they said with mine. Lasted 2 days, despite spending 20 minutes on their vacuum machine to test for leaks. I usually find condensers go at around 10 years old, but their appears to be a manufacturing or design issue with the one used in the Volvo V50/S40/C30/C70. My 11 year old V70 still freezes your eyeballs though!

[anonymous-user]

It was the condenser in the end. I took it to a proper garage who did as you said and located the leak. Only 2 hours labour so it can't be tricky to change.