We took my fiance's 96 GC 4.0l in for a free A/C inspection.
It wasn't blowing cold at all and the compressor was not activating.

The shop said the system is empty because both the low and high side
schrader valves had failed. They told me the system will hold pressure, but I was there for only 30 minutes so I'm not entirely sure on that.

They quoted me around $250 to replace both valves, and evacuate/ refill the system, but I would like to do the work myself if possible.

2 questions:

1. Can the valves be replaced without the tube on this year?
Iv'e seen conflicting info on this.
2. Does the dryer have to be replaced now that the system is empty?
The shop said it's not necessary, but Iv'e read if the system is exposed to outside air, they must be replaced.

Thanks.

 

First of all, the schrader valves are meerly high pressure tire valves and only need the cores replaced. This is common if the caps are missing. The dryer should clear itself on pumpdown, I would think, but I could be wrong. Vacuum pumpdown should tell you if you have any leaks before you charge it. It should hold vacuum for a given time.

If the dryer has been taken out of the system and exposed to outside air, it WILL absorb moisture.

Finding the schrader valve cores may be a problem. I'm sure technitions have them, but may not want to sell them to you. They will want to do the service. I'll bet you could get them from a salvage yard but you'll take the chance that they're bad also. The caps are important.

I'm sure I'm going to get feedback on this. I hope so.

 

Is it R134s or R12 in a 94 ZJ? The oriface tube can not be replaced by itself, you have to replace the whole liquid line. Not a bad idea to replace the reciever/dryer, it is almost 20 years old. I replaced all of the hoses, liquid line, and reciever dryer on my 95 ZJ with parts from www.rockauto.com , it was not all that expensive and a pretty simple job as long as you have the quick disconnect tools. Just have a shop evacuate the system and recharge it once you replace all of the stuff.

 

It's a 1996, not 1994.
I noticed Rockauto is selling the line with orifice tube (#56522),

but what about the high side?

 

They do sell the tube separately, but you can't remove the tube from the liquid line, I've tried. That hose assembly is only part of what you need, you also need the liquid line and dryer.