Help: 90' Volvo 240 DL Wagon Air Conditioning Problem

My brother has a 1990 240 Volvo Wagon. He's NOT handy with cars - at
all. He had his air conditioner charged w/ freeon two weeks ago.
Last night he heard a squealing noice from under the hood and saw a
little smoke, also. He called AAA and the mechanic said it was his AC
unit locking up and suggested he cut the air conditioning/power
steering belt until it was fixed.

Recently, I was told that Volvo air conditioning compressors require a
mixture of oil and freeon and that lack of oil might have caused the
AC unit to have friction/fail. Note - the AC compressor shaft still
turns fairly easily by hand.

1. Do you think it would be worthwhile putting the proper mixture of
oil into the AC compressor to see if it solves the squeaking
noise/smoke problem?

2. If repair is necessary, what do you recommend to keep the cost to
a minimum? (He was recently laid off by IBM after 20 years and is
driving around without any power steering. By the way, if you know of
anyone who needs a mainframe data back up professional around the West
Point, NY, area, please let me know.)

3. Finally, any other suggestions regarding the repair or related
advice is welcomed.

Thanks,

Matthew at or 703-527-5660

 

Help him out and get the new compressor. These things do wear out
from time to time. It may have just munged itself out of age.

 

Unfortunately there is no cheap way to fix A/C. Sounds like he needs a
new compressor to me as well. And all automotive A/C require oil mixed
with the freon, this is a function of repair quality. And there's no
reason to cut the A/C belt if there's a compressor problem, there is a
separate bearing on the front pulley that allows it to turn
independently from the compressor when the A/C is not running.