jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
I think my ac compressor is gone on my 04 Kj. Will I damage anything by driving it. Not sure when I will be able to replace it. I was quoted a price of over 500 dollars
ac compressor
- Thread starter jeepmedic46
- Start date
Eric06Rubi
Observer
the longer you drive it the more it'll cost in the long run.
if you figure 250+ for a new compressor
a couple lbs of freon at 25-30$ lb.
2 hours labor at the going rate
and an a/c system flush and service at 90 or so $
500 sounds reasonable, if you keep driving it at the very least you will have to add a dryer and an orafice tube would probably be a good idea any way
JMHO but I would fix it ASAP
if the clutch locks up and it spits the belt, you wont be driving anywhere.
good luck & dont wait too long
Eric
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Would a ac compressor off of a 98 cherokee fit?
alosix
Expedition Leader
Why would there be a greater chance of the clutch locking up just because there is a dead compressor hooked to it? Clutches tend to fail open (free roll) not closed. If anything just unplug the clutch from the wiring harness if there is a possibility of engaging it with a compressor that won't spin.
guess that does depend on exactly what you're asking and the shape things are in though.
If you're asking 'is it safe to drive it till next payday' then sure, it def is. If you're asking 'if I continue driving it will it cost more to fix later' maybe, especially if the AC system is leaking.
Granted, this is from a guy that almost never uses AC (but has a york compressor on his Jeep that runs A LOT)
Jason
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
I rarely use my ac myself, Tninking of making it into a oba minus the freon. Could I have a bad water pump as well where I'm getting a bad smell of coolant?
Hey, Icefisher! Just curious: what leads you to believe it's the compressor that's busted? I ask because every time I have an A/C problem, it turns out to be the clutch on the pulley.
The clutch is a much easier and cheaper repair than evacuating all the plumbing to remove the whole compressor. In fact, if you have the right tools and parts on hand, it takes about an hour. Finding an affordable clutch might take a bit of doing -- last time I looked, many of the shops wanted more for the clutch than for a whole compressor+clutch assembly.
Anyway, it's worth doing a little diagnosing. You can take the belt off in just a few seconds and spin the compressor by hand to see how it sounds. If there are a bunch of rattles from the front bearing, then that's bad. But if it's just a nice, smooth feel with a chug-chug as the compressor pumps, then it might be ok -- look to the clutch.
Good luck!
The clutch is a much easier and cheaper repair than evacuating all the plumbing to remove the whole compressor. In fact, if you have the right tools and parts on hand, it takes about an hour. Finding an affordable clutch might take a bit of doing -- last time I looked, many of the shops wanted more for the clutch than for a whole compressor+clutch assembly.
Anyway, it's worth doing a little diagnosing. You can take the belt off in just a few seconds and spin the compressor by hand to see how it sounds. If there are a bunch of rattles from the front bearing, then that's bad. But if it's just a nice, smooth feel with a chug-chug as the compressor pumps, then it might be ok -- look to the clutch.
Good luck!
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Before I went to work the other day I did check it out and it sounds like it is coming from the pulley. I got home today and smoke was coming out of the front of the compressor where the pulley meets. May have to take the kids for a walk and get a shorter belt to see if I can bypass it.:smiley_drive: