JEEP A/C System

[MarksmanAkula]

Hello all!

I recently picked up a jeep liberty as a project car/compact SUV for my girlfriend. And while its been a world of pain to work on, I've come across the A/C system having no vacuum or refrigerant.

I'm not one for taking it to a shop/stealership unless absolutely needed, so i'm interested in doing it myself.

Do any of you have any ideas/recommendations on where to start? How to find leaks? What needs replaced since the systems been opened to outdoor air?

Any help is appreciated!

-Akula

 

[03GoingStrong]

No idea Akula. I'd have to take it to an AC guy ... or buy a book. Maybe google ... AC's are in a lot of vehicles and trouble shooting techniques should be pretty much the same. Wish I could help. Just a "bump" to get your post back to the top of the forum and hopefully someone who can help chimes in. Good luck !!!

 

[DadOSix]

Do you at least have access to a set of gages and a meter or test light?

 

[MarksmanAkula]

Do you at least have access to a set of gages and a meter or test light?

Oh yes i have all that. UV leak dye, UV light, 2 CFM vacuum pump, set of manifold gauges, etc

I was just more concerned as to what should be done/replaced to keep moisture out of the system.

 

[DadOSix]

Oh yes i have all that. UV leak dye, UV light, 2 CFM vacuum pump, set of manifold gauges, etc

I was just more concerned as to what should be done/replaced to keep moisture out of the system.

-

OK - I see now.

Short answer is the receiver / dryer / accumulator. It is the silver can on the right side of the vehicle right near the coolant reservoir.

So, if you are sure you have no refrigerant, (verified 0 on both low and high side) - the next step is visual inspection. Mainly on A/C failure, a leak can be often found by looking for an oily place on the lines. A/C carries both refrigerant and oil in a closed loop.

My big chevy van lost all cooling and we found over the wheel well where the road salt had eaten thru the aluminum line.

So, if you don't see an oil slick, next I'd pull a vacuum on the system and see how long it stays. Lose it quick = big leak.

If it is slow leak, pull vacuum again and add some u/v dye and refrigerant and get it running - use your uv lite to see where the leak is
- evaporator, condenser, compressor seal, line rubbed thru etc.

I'm not too concerned about moisture at this point until you have found and repaired the issue.

The last bit is to install a new accumulator / receiver dryer as the final step before pulling a vacuum and charging the system with oil and refrigerant.

I hope I hit on what you are looking for. I tend to get a bit wordy!

 

[uss2defiant]

if you are looking to replacing the compressor, make sure you replace the other components for warranty purposes as well.

 

[MarksmanAkula]

-

OK - I see now.

Short answer is the receiver / dryer / accumulator. It is the silver can on the right side of the vehicle right near the coolant reservoir.

So, if you are sure you have no refrigerant, (verified 0 on both low and high side) - the next step is visual inspection. Mainly on A/C failure, a leak can be often found by looking for an oily place on the lines. A/C carries both refrigerant and oil in a closed loop.

My big chevy van lost all cooling and we found over the wheel well where the road salt had eaten thru the aluminum line.

So, if you don't see an oil slick, next I'd pull a vacuum on the system and see how long it stays. Lose it quick = big leak.

If it is slow leak, pull vacuum again and add some u/v dye and refrigerant and get it running - use your uv lite to see where the leak is
- evaporator, condenser, compressor seal, line rubbed thru etc.

I'm not too concerned about moisture at this point until you have found and repaired the issue.

The last bit is to install a new accumulator / receiver dryer as the final step before pulling a vacuum and charging the system with oil and refrigerant.

I hope I hit on what you are looking for. I tend to get a bit wordy!

That was perfect! Exactly what i needed to know. Its an 07 jeep with 184K miles on it (with no previous A/C work history) So i may be better off getting a compressor/condenser/seal kit and replace what i can and go from there.

But thank you for the wonderful info!

 

[DadOSix]

That was perfect! Exactly what i needed to know. Its an 07 jeep with 184K miles on it (with no previous A/C work history) So i may be better off getting a compressor/condenser/seal kit and replace what i can and go from there.

But thank you for the wonderful info!

you’re welcome!

See, I am a cheap old guy when it comes to wrenching on cars. I’ll gladly spend money on tools to do the diagnostics and buy the right part, rather than throwing parts on hoping I get a fix. yours might be as simple as a bad compressor clutch coil (mine was just that). I spent 50 bucks on ghe clutch, but used a gage set, test light and ohm meter before deciding the clutch was the problem.

Best of luck with your a/c!

 

[MarksmanAkula]

you’re welcome!

See, I am a cheap old guy when it comes to wrenching on cars. I’ll gladly spend money on tools to do the diagnostics and buy the right part, rather than throwing parts on hoping I get a fix. yours might be as simple as a bad compressor clutch coil (mine was just that). I spent 50 bucks on the clutch, but used a gage set, test light and ohm meter before deciding the clutch was the problem.

Best of luck with your a/c!

Thank you! Im the same way, id rather buy the tools and teach myself. After verifying there is nothing in the system (High or low)
by cracking lines clear open, I think it'll just be best for me to rebuild the A/C. after all the cars got some miles on her with no real wear parts replacement.

Side note - Im loving this forum. Great place to learn about the "forgotten jeep" as i call it, and a wonderful place of knowledge all out in the open.

 

[DadOSix]

Thank you! Im the same way, id rather buy the tools and teach myself. After verifying there is nothing in the system (High or low)
by cracking lines clear open, I think it'll just be best for me to rebuild the A/C. after all the cars got some miles on her with no real wear parts replacement.

Side note - Im loving this forum. Great place to learn about the "forgotten jeep" as i call it, and a wonderful place of knowledge all out in the open.

It is a great forum! Got me thru the heater core project.

since you are rebuilding, are you going to pull the dash and change the evap too? Perfect time to change that heater core.

enjoy!

i get a lot of satisfaction by doing this work at home rahter than send it off to the shop

 

[MarksmanAkula]

It is a great forum! Got me thru the heater core project.

since you are rebuilding, are you going to pull the dash and change the evap too? Perfect time to change that heater core.

enjoy!

i get a lot of satisfaction by doing this work at home rahter than send it off to the shop

I didn't think about that - Whats involved with that process?

 

[DadOSix]

I didn't think about that - Whats involved with that process?

You need to pull the dash to access the box that houses the heater core and ac evap

not hard, but a long process.

https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/how-to-heater-core-replacement.59360/#post-765660

photos are in an album linked at the bottom.

this is why I recommend thorough testing to determine where your problem lies.

i did not end up changing my evap as I had a charge in the ac and knew ahead of time that the problem was the clutch.

a few minutes with your vacuum pump and a meter or test lite could save you hours and dollars.

 

[MarksmanAkula]

You need to pull the dash to access the box that houses the heater core and ac evap

not hard, but a long process.

https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/how-to-heater-core-replacement.59360/#post-765660

photos are in an album linked at the bottom.

this is why I recommend thorough testing to determine where your problem lies.

i did not end up changing my evap as I had a charge in the ac and knew ahead of time that the problem was the clutch.

a few minutes with your vacuum pump and a meter or test lite could save you hours and dollars.

That does sound like a good idea. Pull a vacuum on the system, throw some refrigerant and UV dye in there. see what happens. Ill probably start there, and come back here with whatever I find.

 

[DadOSix]

That does sound like a good idea. Pull a vacuum on the system, throw some refrigerant and UV dye in there. see what happens. Ill probably start there, and come back here with whatever I find.

Glad to help guide you thru!