Hello everyone,

I've done considerable research and haven't found a solid answer. I have a 97 XJ, 4.0L, The AC recently completely went out, prior to this it was working intermittently. I was cruising down the freeway at normal operating temps, attempting to run the AC. It wasn't working at all really and I started to notice a burning smell. When I got home I popped the hood and burning was definitely coming from the AC compressor area. I took the serpentine belt off and the compressor pulley is completely frozen. The clutch plate in the front still rotates (with some effort, not easily).

I am going to get the bypass pulley for now, but eventually would like to try to repair this on my own. So, my question is: In an AC failure where I am unsure if there is metal in the system or any other components that may have failed (causing the compressor or bearing to fail), what all should I replace?
I will for sure replace the clutch and compressor, but should I replace the condenser, drier, hoses/tubes?
Is there any thing else to consider when replacing these components, besides the fact that I will have to get the system evacuated and refilled once I am finished?

Thanks!

 

Some compressor warranties are void if you don’t replace the accumulator and condenser. Check Rock Auto, a good make kit with all three components is less than just the compressor at your usual suspects parts stores.

 

Not worried about the warranty really because most likely I will be grabbing the parts off of a donor jeep. I know its risky given I will have no idea if the parts I am getting are good or not, but I have a buddy who said I can take some parts from his jeep for free. Just want to get and idea of what people usually replace when doing a job like this?

Thanks.

 

Apparently that condenser has passages that are so small that it is not considered flushable. If it has debris in it, there is a good chance it can get loose and wreck the compressor.

 

Yes, you need to replace the condenser if the compressor failed. The condenser on R134 ac systems is a parallel-flow design. So if you try to flush it out, your flushing compound can just route around any debris that's in there. Later that debris can come loose and destroy the new compressor.