Hi all,
Slightly odd question/situation here. I bought a 2000 XJ sport a while back. I was not driving with A/C for a while because it was overheating occasionally and I just didn't really need it, ended up having to replace the head gasket. However recently it has been quite hot, and I wanted to start running the A/C. It wouldn't blow cold. I had to take it to the shop to get some other work done and decided to get the AC diagnosed. Well they called me and said they couldn't run any tests on it because both the high and low lines were disconnected, and blocked off with a metal plate, so clearly intentional. I was wondering why someone would do this, or what problems it could be indicative of or really any information about this sort of thing. I attached pictures of the situation. I appreciate any thoughts or any advice!

View of the disconnected lines and plates

View of plates

Close up of plates

Top down view of one plate

 

Put some new hnbr o-rings on and reconnect it, draw a vacuum, and see if it's holding. If it holds, put a new dryer on and charge it up. If not, you'll have to pressurize it and find the leak. Why someone would do that is beyond me. I would have rather capped off the dryer than the evaporator.