I have read quite a bit here, but only posted a couple of times. I have a problem that I have not found a clear answer for so I am looking for some advice.

I have a 96 Cherokee 4.0 with ~270k. It's my daily driver and also handles typical "Jeep" type duties such as pulling stuck motorists from the snow, hauling a trailer, etc. It occasionally does some off-road duty primarily on logging roads, nothing extreme.

The A/C has not worked for 5 years or so, no big deal. Now the pulley on the A/C compressor has locked up, which of course causes the serpentine belt to break. I have obtained an pulley and bracket to replace the A/C compressor from Napa. My question is, how much of the A/C system should I remove. I don't want to affect the heat and defrost capabilities.

I see lines running from the A/C compressor to a smaller radiator in front on the main radiator, I see lines running to a small canister below the A/C compressor and lines running into the firewall. I would like to get rid of all I can, but not at the expense of creating other issues.

Any wisdom on what is safe to remove without creating other problems?

Thanks,
Keith

 

U could remove the accumulator/dryer, the rubber hose/manifold assembly, the liquid line/orifice tube, the condenser (in front of rad) and the compressor, all with little difficulty. Basically you would leave the evaporator since it's under the dash and a pain to get at. Possibly lighten the XJ 75-100 lbs and really open up the engine bay. Presuming u leave the evap, I'd suggest using rubber/vinyl caps on the 2 evap tubes that stick out the firewall.

 

Thanks for the widsom, I'll give it a shot this evening!

Keith

 

If u decided to leave the condensor (front of rad) also, it would really go quick. CAUTION - there could possibly still be pressure in the a/c system!

 

Before removing any AC equipment. Please have it properly evacuated. The OZONE is depleted enough.

 

Before removing any AC equipment. Please have it properly evacuated. The OZONE is depleted enough.

Agreed, and handled properly

Thanks for the reminder.

 

Do they make a bracket and a pulley to replace the AC pulley.

I am in the same boat but mine is a 1989 XJ. There is a wire hanging from the AC unit.. no clue where that goes.. I tuned the AC on and nothing happens..

I really do not need AC.. just heat..

 

They do make an idler pulley. I'm looking at the shop manual for my 90 and they have it anyway. The 88 is part of that manual but the 96 might be different but I doubt it.

Page 7-38 has the belt routing for a vehicle without A/C. There is a idler in the place of the compressor.

The next page has the A/C equipped routing. It appears that you would need a shorter belt. I would go to the stealership and check it out with a good parts guy.

 

Ok Thanks... I tried running a shorter belt but wouldnt work the way I wanted to do it.. I need to find that idler pulley

 

I cannot speak directly to your 89 as I am not certain the 4.0 was fuel injected in 89 and that may change things - but the 96 that I intially asked about is the 4.0 with fuel injection and you cannot run the belt without something in place of the A/C pulley.

In my case I went to Napa and ordered pn BK6601819 - costs about $40 around here (Indiana). When the A/C compressor is removed this bracket and pulley bolts up using 3 of the 4 holes the orignal compressor used. I had to find some extra washers to space it so it would bolt up right otherwise it was a direct fit.

Note that my local NAPA did NOT show this as a fit for a jeep, but it worked fine on my 96 4.0. (thanks the previous poster on another thread who directed me to this bracket).

A couple of other thoughts -

1) one poster reminded me to have the A/C system properly evacuated before removal - I second that

2) my auxillary fan is no longer working - could be coincedence as the truck is well loved and has ~270k - but I suspect that possibly the wiring for the Aux fan and A/C are somehow inter-related. I say this because when ordering parts trying to fix my auxillary fan, the local parts store keeps asking me if the truck has factory A/C. - More parts coming in today may solve the problem - and of course this could be TOTALLY unrelated.

FWIW
Keith

 

Thanks.. I'll go take a look at the motor and compare to a new I6 and see if its the same... unless someone else chimes and could tell me.

 

To perhaps help you narrow your search... Broadly speaking on my 96 4.0 fuel injected version -

I have 1 serpentine belt only - no V belts

The A/C compressor is the upper left pulley looking at the engine from the front (hence it is on the passenger side - top).

The A/C compressor is bolted on with 4 evenly spaced bolts - two on each side of the compressor, easily accessible from the top. The bolts are 2-3" long and in my case a couple did not want to come out easily.

When the compressor is removed it leaves a nice little cradle with 4 threaded bolt holes.

I can give you some measurements of the bracket / pulley later on this evening if you still need them.

Keith