How hard to replace AC condenser?

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

My AC condenser developed a bad leak near the mount on the driver's side the day I took my KJ to the stealership for them to install the 160 amp alternator, and do an alignment and tire rotation. I put a can of sealant and dye in it yesterday morning and charged it back up. It ran cold for a 1 1/2 hour drive to Louisville, but after sitting there for about 7 hours, the compressor would only kick in for a few seconds at a time. When I black lighted it last night, there was dye down the side of it, and on the side of the radiator. The stealership has already charged me $212, and is saying about $875 more to fix it even though it broke while they were working on it. Is this something I can replace myself, or should I take it to a good mechanic and then go after the stealership?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 2:58 pm

doing the labor to install the new one shouldn't be hard, but you will have to take it in some were to have the system pulled down and then charged when you get the new one

daspes · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 5:32 pm

No experience with the AC Compressor, but labor wise, shouldn't be much more difficult than changing an alternator. But couldn't you fillit with a recharge kit that you can pick up at autozon/krager/wal-mart/napa/etc. ?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 5:52 pm

no, the system must be brought under a vacuum first. once that was done, then i guess you recharge it that way

daspes · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 6:25 pm

Diggerfreek wrote:

no, the system must be brought under a vacuum first. once that was done, then i guess you recharge it that way

Ahh, didn't know that thanks.

PCT 1981 · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 7:30 pm

Any time you open up the a/c system to the atmosphere, you contaminate the system and must pull a vacuum to remove the contaminates and moisture from the system. I'd do it for you if I lived closer.
Aloha

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Can the condenser usually be patched, or do you think I'll need a new one? Sounds like I'll be taking it to a good mechanic that I trust a lot more than the dealership. Can't beleive I actually took the KJ there. I know better.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 10:40 pm

Ive never heard of anyone trying to patch a condenser but I guess anything is possible. Someone once told me a mechanic said a really good welder could do it but idk about that.

You take it to Freedom?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun May 25, 2008 10:50 pm

If you took it to a radiator repair shop, they might be able to do it... At work they send out radiators and after coolers out all of the time but idk about a condenser.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Well, I guess I'm buying a new condenser then. Are there upgrades available? I'm kind of bad about upgrading things on the Jeep. Especially if I have a problem.

Yeah, I took it to Freedom. It's really close to where I live, and I was just getting the alternator replaced, an alignment, and tires rotated. Trained monkeys should be able to do that. Unfortunately, their monkeys don't seem to be trained.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2008 10:03 am

KY Liberty wrote:

Well, I guess I'm buying a new condenser then. Are there upgrades available? I'm kind of bad about upgrading things on the Jeep. Especially if I have a problem.

Yeah, I took it to Freedom. It's really close to where I live, and I was just getting the alternator replaced, an alignment, and tires rotated. Trained monkeys should be able to do that. Unfortunately, their monkeys don't seem to be trained.

Once you get it installed, come on back to L'ville. I can charge it for you (yes I have a vacuum pump).

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2008 7:53 pm

Replacing the A/C condensor on the KJ is easy,it's the recharging that will cost you.Don't forget to use new o-rings(they are special,regular o-rings will not work) and don't knick or cut them when installing or it will leak.

Quote:

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE -
REFRIGERANT RECOVERY)
(3) Disconnect the discharge line refrigerant line
fitting at the condenser inlet. (Refer to 24 - HEATING
& AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COUPLERS)
Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant
line fittings.
(4) Disconnect the liquid line (Left-Hand Drive) or
liquid line jumper (Right-Hand Drive) refrigerant
line fitting at the condenser outlet. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COUPLERS)
Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant
line fittings.
(5) Remove the radiator and the condenser from
the vehicle as a unit. Refer to Cooling for the procedures.
(6) Remove the two nuts that secure the condenser
studs to the upper brackets of the radiator (Fig. 6).
(7) Slide the condenser down from the radiator far
enough for the condenser studs to clear the upper
radiator bracket holes, and for the lower condenser
bracket holes to clear the dowel pins on the bottom of
the radiator.
(8 ) Remove the condenser from the radiator.

INSTALLATION
(1) Install the holes of the condenser lower brackets
over the dowel pins on the bottom of the radiator.
(2) Slide the condenser upwards until both of the
condenser studs are installed through the holes in
the radiator upper brackets. Tighten the mounting
nuts to 5.3 N·m (47 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the radiator and condenser unit in
the vehicle(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR
- INSTALLATION).
(4) Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant
line fittings on the condenser outlet and the liquid
line (Left-Hand Drive) or the liquid line jumper
(Right-Hand Drive). Install the liquid line or the liquid
line jumper to the condenser outlet. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COUPLERS)
(5) Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant
line fittings on the condenser inlet and the discharge
line. Connect the discharge line to the condenser
inlet. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C
LINE COUPLERS)
(6) Connect the battery negative cable.
(7) Evacuate the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
EVACUATE)
(8 ) Charge the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
CHARGE)

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound too hard, but I don't have everything I need to do the work. I don't really want to risk messing up the radiator or coolant system either. What would be the ballpark I should expect to pay to have the condenser replaced and the system recharged?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon May 26, 2008 8:18 pm

KY Liberty wrote:

Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound too hard, but I don't have everything I need to do the work. I don't really want to risk messing up the radiator or coolant system either. What would be the ballpark I should expect to pay to have the condenser replaced and the system recharged?

A OEM condensor is $280 from Wyckoff Chrysler,buy it at a dealer and that will be about $500 or so.I'm sure there aftermarket ones for $150-$200.About 1 hour of labor for install then the recharge,I'd say $400-$700 depending on where you get the parts is about what it will cost.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 12:39 pm

see Woody's post....

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=24997

he was quoted $800+

it looks like messing with the coolant and transmission lines would be the biggest hassle honestly. my offer still stands

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

If I buy the parts would you be interested in doing the labor for a fair price? I would much rather give my money to a fellow LOST member.

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Tue May 27, 2008 7:42 pm

i'm sure we could work something out. the earliest I could do it would be sunday afternoon. send me a pm and let me know what you are thinking.

How hard to replace AC condenser?

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