AC Condenser Replacement
 

Looks like I have a leak at my condenser, on the side away from the connection tubes. Any advice before I dive into it? Planned on getting a new one from RockAuto, do I need the ORings as well? There's no pressure in the system, so I don't need to worry about that, the leak is huge.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

Bueller??? Bueller????

Be careful and make absolutely sure there's no pressure before doing the disconnects. Get some a/c flush and pour it into the evap and blow it out with compressed air. Install a new accumulator/dryer, liquid line/orifice tube as those are both filters and probably crudded up. May also want to replace the rubber hose/manifold assembly. Remove the compressor so u can pour out and measure the amount of oil in the compressor. Check the amount/kind of oil needed for your year (our '98 holds 8.2 ozs PAG oil) and add 1/2 to the new dryer and the other 1/2 to the compressor. Have a vacuum pulled on the system by a pro and the correct amount of freon added to the system. Nothing to it and good luck. R134a systems are very sensitive to the correct amount of oil and freon pressure......more so than the old R12 systems.

Sweet, thanks for the info!

Nice photos in your album......black XJs rock and really need a good a/c.

You should do a write up when you do this. Pretty sure mine needs replaced aswell. When it's on it makes some odd noise and only blew cold air for the first few weeks I had it.

I'll see what I can do, I don't have a digital camera, just what's on my blackberry, and that's kinda crappy. Doesn't look like it will be too hard to get to, it sits right infront of the radiator.

And thanks about the photos, there are a few spots I need to sand down and re-go over with the truck bed liner, going to try a different rust inhibitor.

I will be replacing mine next week, this is VERY helpful. Same thing for me, a crack down the front of the condensor.

U've probably already figured it out but if not, u'll need one of those line disconnect tool sets from a parts store........$10-$15, IIRC. The kiddo and I replaced everything but the evap and cond 2 mos ago on our '98 XJ.....blows 34F at the center vents.:cheers: