Hey,
Let's face it. 97-01 Jeep ac systems really suck a fat one. The purpose of this thread is to simply gather together all the info needed to restore a factory system to good working condition. Problems mine had:
My E-fan was shot, and when it turned on my whole XJ would vibrate like a coin-operated bed in a sleazy hotel. I replaced it for $20 with a fan from ebay, and cut the stock shroud to fit. The thread can be found HERE:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=920264
However, I will probably swap in a bigger fan at some point, but it does work excellently.
My motor and tranny mounts were shot, and my mechanical fan was tossed into the "combination manifold" hoses. I replaced this whole assembly for $50 with this part from Autozone. the quality was absolutely excellent, I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.
Ready-Aire 34533
My accumulator was rusty and my liquid line was crimped (how, i'll never know) and I replaced both of these with parts from Autoairplus.com. The quality wasn't stellar but their prices are INCREDIBLE and the parts have held up just fine. this cost $40 for both.
My condenser was dented badly, I replaced this for 120 with a Modine part from Napa. Admittedly this was my fault, not Jeep's.
After all this, the AC worked, but would only hold a charge for three months, which brings me to today... I am about to replace my evaporator with a part from ACkits.com. It claims to be a factory replacement, but I am unsure. Anyway it's good quality, and I have tested it with my Mityvac at -24.5 psi for 3 hours, and it doesn't leak at all. This cost 78.
I am also buying a 240 pc HNBR rubber o ring kit from autozone, for $20.
I bought 8 oz Supercool PAG 150 oil. from ACkits.com aswell. As a side note, the factory calls for "sp-20" which is rare, equivalent to roughly ISO 135 PAG. So I have no doubt in my mind that 150 will hold up just fine. Others have used PAG 100 and had no problem.
I have acquired a flush gun and a vacuum pump, and I'll flush EVERYTHING, including the new evaporator, before reassembly. A vaccum pump is needed to evac the system and hold total vacuum for thirty minutes before charging. Also, to oil the system, it is best to drain the oil from the accumulator and compressor, flush everything else, then when adding the new oil (6 oz, no more no less) add half to the compressor and half to the accumulator. Then turn the compressor over by hand like 20 times to get the oil to start circulating, and keep the comp from lugging.
Problems I still have:
I cannot find the sealing washers for the place where the combination manifold hoses clamp on to the compressor. My old ones are useable, but not great, and I am intent on replacing EVERYTHING. Does anyone have a source on these? I bought a "2004-prior Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep" sealing washer kit from ACkits.com and it does not contain the right part. I also need the torque spec for the clamp bolt, aswell as the accumulator clamp bolt... hopefully these are in my FSM.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps some people out. I am now going to look for some really good recharge instructions to add to the thread. Joe.
Let's face it. 97-01 Jeep ac systems really suck a fat one. The purpose of this thread is to simply gather together all the info needed to restore a factory system to good working condition. Problems mine had:
My E-fan was shot, and when it turned on my whole XJ would vibrate like a coin-operated bed in a sleazy hotel. I replaced it for $20 with a fan from ebay, and cut the stock shroud to fit. The thread can be found HERE:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=920264
However, I will probably swap in a bigger fan at some point, but it does work excellently.
My motor and tranny mounts were shot, and my mechanical fan was tossed into the "combination manifold" hoses. I replaced this whole assembly for $50 with this part from Autozone. the quality was absolutely excellent, I wouldn't hesitate to buy again.
Ready-Aire 34533
My accumulator was rusty and my liquid line was crimped (how, i'll never know) and I replaced both of these with parts from Autoairplus.com. The quality wasn't stellar but their prices are INCREDIBLE and the parts have held up just fine. this cost $40 for both.
My condenser was dented badly, I replaced this for 120 with a Modine part from Napa. Admittedly this was my fault, not Jeep's.
After all this, the AC worked, but would only hold a charge for three months, which brings me to today... I am about to replace my evaporator with a part from ACkits.com. It claims to be a factory replacement, but I am unsure. Anyway it's good quality, and I have tested it with my Mityvac at -24.5 psi for 3 hours, and it doesn't leak at all. This cost 78.
I am also buying a 240 pc HNBR rubber o ring kit from autozone, for $20.
I bought 8 oz Supercool PAG 150 oil. from ACkits.com aswell. As a side note, the factory calls for "sp-20" which is rare, equivalent to roughly ISO 135 PAG. So I have no doubt in my mind that 150 will hold up just fine. Others have used PAG 100 and had no problem.
I have acquired a flush gun and a vacuum pump, and I'll flush EVERYTHING, including the new evaporator, before reassembly. A vaccum pump is needed to evac the system and hold total vacuum for thirty minutes before charging. Also, to oil the system, it is best to drain the oil from the accumulator and compressor, flush everything else, then when adding the new oil (6 oz, no more no less) add half to the compressor and half to the accumulator. Then turn the compressor over by hand like 20 times to get the oil to start circulating, and keep the comp from lugging.
Problems I still have:
I cannot find the sealing washers for the place where the combination manifold hoses clamp on to the compressor. My old ones are useable, but not great, and I am intent on replacing EVERYTHING. Does anyone have a source on these? I bought a "2004-prior Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep" sealing washer kit from ACkits.com and it does not contain the right part. I also need the torque spec for the clamp bolt, aswell as the accumulator clamp bolt... hopefully these are in my FSM.
Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps some people out. I am now going to look for some really good recharge instructions to add to the thread. Joe.