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Grifter144
March 9th, 2006, 22:08
edit, please move to "other tech" "non xj tech" forum...sorry

so if this needs to be moved to oem tech or something please go ahead and do it..

I think I told you all that my girlfriend got in an accident with her 97 zj (5.2 liter) back in january...i am in the process of slowly putting it back together..so heres my question...I had a shop do the frame straightening on it, and it would appear that in the process of stripping wrecked shit off it they snipped(cut) the air conditioning hard lines that go from the air conditioning motor/condensor to a radiator type thing and then back to the dash. they cut em right behind the actual radiator..I dont currently have enough money to replace these lines and the air conditioning wasnt working when we bought the jeep in october so, would it be an issue if I DIDNT replace these lines right away and just clamped them off or something until I can afford to get new lines and a whole new system? and will the vehicle be run worthy without them connected for the time being?

appreciatte the help info guys...

i had initailly enlisted the nacga board for info(not exactly on this subject), but it didnt end up proving itself up to par, but maybe thats cuz i am comfortable here...so if you all have any suggestions please shoot em..

Grifter
CanMan
March 9th, 2006, 22:12
You should be fine with open lines, but crimp them off as you suggested. Since there is no freon in the system, the AC comp. will act as an air compressor. Just make sure it doesn't run out of oil, because it will seize up and cause belt breakage.

You could also run a rubber hose from one cut off end to the other, so any excess freon/oil won't go everywhere and the system can still circulate, and not be closed, causing pressure buildup.
Grifter144
March 9th, 2006, 22:16
for some odd reason i kinda doubt there was any freon in there at all, but i like your idea of the rubber hose, does the freon act as the oil in the air motor? or is there a special oil i should look into getting to fill it with?..
thanks...

grifter
5-90
March 9th, 2006, 22:18
No problem there. However, do disconnect the electrical connector for the compressor clutch, or for the low-pressure cut-off (LPCO) switch on the accumulator, so that the clutch doesn't engage and the compressor can't run.

It would be more useful to crimp the lines to/from the compressor. The condenser lines can be left open without incident - the system will have to be "pulled to a vacuum" and flushed out when you repair it anyhow. The compressor will be the big expense, and should be protected.

If it's an option, I'd actually pull the compressor and let it sit on the shelf until you get the scratch together to repair the system. Failing that, check boneyards around you - if it's a Sanden SD505, the XJ idler pully should replace it fairly well, and allow you to reuse the belt.

5-90
casm
March 9th, 2006, 22:20
for some odd reason i kinda doubt there was any freon in there at all, but i like your idea of the rubber hose, does the freon act as the oil in the air motor? or is there a special oil i should look into getting to fill it with?..
thanks...

Sort of both. If you look at the R-134a refill kits Pep Boys, etc. sell, you'll notice they also contain the oil. More or less (and I'm pretty sure I'm off on this, so if someone would correct me it'd be appreciated) the oil remains suspended in the freon; as it circulates through the system it lubricates it.

Best bet would be to bypass the compressor if at all possible since new ones can easily run over the $500 mark, but that may not be workable.
CanMan
March 9th, 2006, 22:22
Yea what 5-90 said....

Forgot about unplugging it so it wouldn't run. Make sure you unplug it before you use the defrost setting, which will cycle the AC comp. Also, you may want to wire in a switch for the electric fan since the AC comp. will be unplugged, or is the electric fan not wired in through that circuit?
CanMan
March 9th, 2006, 22:23
More or less (and I'm pretty sure I'm off on this, so if someone would correct me it'd be appreciated) the oil remains suspended in the freon; as it circulates through the system it lubricates it.



You are correct. Adding too much oil can cause the freon not to do its job. (ask me how I know) It lubes the inside of the AC comp too.
Grifter144
March 9th, 2006, 22:37
sweet gents...with the proper information my plan of action is slowly taking form...thanks..

Grifter

really should have conducted a midnight parts raid on that abandoned/broken down zj i saw on the side of the highway the other night.