freon leaking from a/c condensor
 

After a recent slow hit into a tree the A/C condenser was pushed into the radiator. After some prying to removing the radiator, I hear it leaking whatever freon is left in it.
I normally don't use the A/C -climate in CO is not bad can be hot But I don't mind.
Since I cannot remove the compressor due to belt path how should I deal with this?
Don't want to spend additional $ to replace something I don't use.
Any solutions ?
Thanks

Do you ever use the defrost?ac comes on then to,it removes moisture from the incoming air to prevent moisture buildup inside. If that is not a problem then just unplug the power to it,bypass the low pressure cutout on the receiver,this will allow your electric fan to come on when your coolant gets hot,and leave it the way it is,it will not hurt anything for the compressor to spin as it is just ht epulley in front that is turning.

Thanks AboveTimeberline,



Yikes ! I do use the defrost in winter I forgot about the Defrost A/C relationship.

need an explanation / Location of the Low Press Cutout-Reciever .

So looks like I am searchin for a A/C condenser as well now.

Gonna look at a possible mod so I don't have to pull radiator to install a new condenser Maybe to put it in from front perhaps.

The cutout switch is on the receiver drier,mine is actually inline. It is just a switch on the ac system hoses to monitor pressure,most of the time they are on the drier.

The receiver dryer is this the canister where the lines are running in and out of behind and lower then the compressor ?

Have tried to remove the lines from the condenser and they are pretty tight. I did spray some ultra bolt unfreeze stuff on there But nothing moved after 2 turns.
Probably haven't been off since the factory.

Do I need to release any pressure in the system as it is ?
if so how do I do it?
-as above there was a small leak in the core -I could hear it-

As always thanks

The drier is a black or silver looking cylinder,mine is next to the condenser,it will have a line to,out,and a switch mounted to it.
If you had a leak then the pressure is more than likley gone,if not it should be removed by a shop. ac work is one of those things in my opinion that should be performed by a shop,reason is most do not have the tools to evacuate the system,which removes moisture and checks for leaks besides removing refrigerant and oil.

Much thanks TimberLine
So if I drive it with the old condenser still in and leaking any issues doing this till I get into a shop for repair?

No it does not hurt anything,just do not use defrost,if you do then unplug the power to the compressor, it will not start anyway because of the low charge but be safe,you will have heat to the window just no ac to remove moisture.
The shop will replace the drier because anytime the system is open to the atmosphere it uses up the silica in the drier,then they will evacuate it and hold vacuum for about 30 minutes to insure there is no leaks then they will charge it fully,do as much work as you can,if you get a cond from a jy and install it it will save you alot of money in parts and labor,the drier is very easy to replace,but let the shop do it,if there was still a leak they would want to replace it again,you may want to buy one and take to the shop as they always have a mark up on price. This way all you will have is a labor cost.

Cool,
thanks for all your help this weekend!
Have a great holiday.

You to,ley us know how it goes.

One thing I found, AboveTimberline while trying to increase my a/c base knowledge here, I saw your note about the electric fan -which I have on my 92 Cherokee-
This fan does kick in when engine gets to certain temp even though a/c is off.
Wonder if that switch was already set for this then

No it will not,it only cares that the system is charged,to test it go out and unplug it and put it to defrost,the fan will still come on,it will come on when it reaches temp also. Mine is unplugged right now and the low pressure is jumpered to make the system think all is good.
Just remeber it is unplugged if for some reason it does not kick in.
Thanks for the little going up in altitude,I have only been to co once and if not for my kids living here,i would be somwhere in western co between grand junction and montrose,gunnison. co is great.

Hi AboveT,
Hope you had a good Holiday,
just a couple of q's to follow up:

Without doing anything to the ac system -it still has the small leak in the condenser. I have run the Cherokee for about 1-2 hrs round town and all seems good. The elect fan turns on as it should too.

There's one wire ( it could be 2 conductor cause it seems to split at a connection?) that goes to the ac compressor, I should disconnect this from the comp?
Can't seem to find the low press switch on the drier cylinder or hoses.


Also what is the vacuum tank that sits in the bumper for ?

The vacuum resevoir in the bumper is for your climate controls,cruise control,and depending on what year it is it could be for the front axle.
It is to maintain vacuum to those items when you have low engine vacuum when engine is under heavy load.
The low pressure cutout switch is going to be near or on the drier.
The power to the comp is a single wire to the comp.
What year is your jeep?

It's a 92 Cherokee Sport 4.0, 5 spd which is awesome on gas.
I just straightened out the bumper so I'll put it on today or tomorrow so Vac tank will be back in the system.
Thanks