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Tough to remove AC lines from radiator???

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Old 03-21-2013, 10:23 PM
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Default Tough to remove AC lines from radiator???

Like the title says im trying to remove the radiator and found a pretty nice video online explaining everything necessary to do it:


The problem I am having is the lines connected to the radiator arent comming off with the disconnect tool. I have bought a multi sized metal one from advanced which i later decided was too thick on the part that pushes the spring and returned it. Then bought a set of what appeared to be slimmer plastic ones.. I have even used some penetrating oil a few times and cleaned the line with a toothbrush. They dont seem to want to budge.

Any tips?
Old 03-22-2013, 07:19 AM
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Sounds like to me the line might be under pressure still. Did you have a shop remove the refrigerant?
Old 03-22-2013, 08:10 AM
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Yeah, don't pull those apart until the refridgerent is removed.
Old 03-22-2013, 08:28 AM
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Mine had dirt/sand etc in the connector so that the spring inside wouldn't compress all the way. I used WD40 and sprayed it in there to flush the road debris out and it worked.
Old 03-22-2013, 08:42 AM
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Do you need to remove the condenser? If you're just replacing the radiator, you shouldn't need to disconnect it.
Old 03-22-2013, 09:07 AM
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I just remembered I used some channel lock pliers to help engage the tool, too.

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Old 03-22-2013, 09:55 AM
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as mentioned (hope its not too late) no need to mess with a/c condenser to change rad.
Old 03-23-2013, 09:32 PM
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Im changing the water pump, thermostat , hoses and the transmission (my dad is also trying to convince me that i should replace the timing chain while im at it along with plugs wires dist cap air filter oil chg) but i am pretty sure i need to remove the radiator to get to the water pump.

thank you for your replies. I will see if i can get someone from my shop to help me clear out and refrigerant that may still be in there. I honestly thought there wasnt any in there but then again i dont think there is a leak in the ac it just doesnt blow out of the vents for some reason. I can still hear it trying but nothing comes out of the vents.. strange. but like i said thank you very much for your replies. I am thinking after talking it over with some of the mechanics at my shop that the system has the refrigerant in it still and the lines could be pressurized.. so im going to get that out first.
Old 03-23-2013, 09:36 PM
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You still have no need to remove the condensor for the stuff you're doing.
Old 03-23-2013, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by z28hustle
Im changing the water pump, thermostat , hoses and the transmission (my dad is also trying to convince me that i should replace the timing chain while im at it along with plugs wires dist cap air filter oil chg) but i am pretty sure i need to remove the radiator to get to the water pump.

thank you for your replies. I will see if i can get someone from my shop to help me clear out and refrigerant that may still be in there. I honestly thought there wasnt any in there but then again i dont think there is a leak in the ac it just doesnt blow out of the vents for some reason. I can still hear it trying but nothing comes out of the vents.. strange. but like i said thank you very much for your replies. I am thinking after talking it over with some of the mechanics at my shop that the system has the refrigerant in it still and the lines could be pressurized.. so im going to get that out first.
It could be your AC evaporator. It's in with the heater core. Apparently that is a common failure of the XJ a/c system. When you say nothing comes out of the vents, do you mean just cold air?
Old 03-24-2013, 04:16 AM
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I never said i was taking out the condenser guys. I am taking out the radiator. there is a ac line that goes in the radiator at like 3:10is or so in that video thats what im talking about.

It does need to come out to get to the water pump. I dont know what you are talking about with a condenser.

I mean nothing at call comes out of the vents that are pointed towards your face.
Old 03-24-2013, 04:16 AM
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so to clear this up i am not removing the condenser
Old 03-24-2013, 03:06 PM
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You might have a bad blower motor, or blower motor resistor which is a little doo-hickey that lives under your glove box, or maybe a fuse..
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