Vacuum Leek
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
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From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Allright, its the middle of winter and my A/C has defaulted to defrost like many other jeeps. now before you post the "look at an already existent thread" or something along those lines, Ive already diagnosed and confirmed the problem after many a hour for snooping around under the dash. Ive found that the vacuum line under the hood is rotted about half way through, Ill post a picture to make it easier to see. I'm looking for a fix through the winter, as I'm not about to redo vacuum lines in the middle of winter. Any Ideas?
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Yeah, cut it and use electrical shrink tubing over it. A couple of layers because of the vacuum.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
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From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Im not too worried about doing that, its actually something I was considering. but with it being right next to that A/C line, is that a problem that I could encounter with the shrink tube getting too hot when the heater is on?
Is it hard line? If you don't mind cutting it, hard line will slip snugly into the ID of proper size rubber vacuum line. Broken hard lines are common out here in the desert where it gets so hot and we have to do this quite a bit.
So simple yet so elusive, Now I chuckle a bit when I see people in line at the parts store with a preshaped hard line they are being told needs to be special ordered to fit their vehicle. I try to catch them before they get to the counter and say "You know rubber line will fit tight over that right?". lol
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Its hard, but not at the same time. its like if flexible house plumbing (pex pipe) was shrunken down and used as a vacuum line. I have shrink tube on hand, I also used electrical tape as a temp fix until i have time to use the shrink tube. because of the bend I don't know that using a rubber line would fix it, would it not slip off?
Its hard, but not at the same time. its like if flexible house plumbing (pex pipe) was shrunken down and used as a vacuum line. I have shrink tube on hand, I also used electrical tape as a temp fix until i have time to use the shrink tube. because of the bend I don't know that using a rubber line would fix it, would it not slip off?
But black tape would work fine until that rainy day you decide to make it more secure. I have done this too. lol
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
No that outside diameter should be the same as the inside of the proper size rubber vacuum hose and fit tight (1/4 inch I think). And you have to remember it is vacuum so it will only pull it's self tighter rather than push off like pressure would. If that "T" boot comes off easy I would gently pull it loose there, cut the line at the bad spot and then take that piece into the parts store and ask them for a vacuum hose that fits over it snug. It doesn't even have to be that tight because it will suck it's self tight as long as it seals. This would be an easy permanent repair.
But black tape would work fine until that rainy day you decide to make it more secure. I have done this too. lol
But black tape would work fine until that rainy day you decide to make it more secure. I have done this too. lol
Alright, thanks. It will be nice to have my air-con going where I want it to and not just how fast I want it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
That's surprising. The cruise control requires a constant supply of vacuum and I assumed with that leak, there wouldn't be enough to hold the actuator in place at speed.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, FL.
Year: 2003
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Yeah, it is interesting. I could use all the controls accept the "coast" button, but using the "cancel" works pretty much the same. maybe it has something to do with the infamous "T" connector.


