Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: middlespokes on December 31, 2010, 02:23:36 PM

Title: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: middlespokes on December 31, 2010, 02:23:36 PM
Hi. I have a 98 Cherokee XJ and would like to know if the AC compressor can stay installed (to keep the drive belt tensioned) but remove all the AC pipework and equipment as I really don't need it here in the UK. It's unecessary clutter in the engine compartment. At a later date I will replace the AC compressor with a conventional compressor to have a pnuematic system installed. But in the meantime, as I am now replacing the heater core, it would be excellent to be able to remove, and not have to replace, all the AC pipes etc.
Does the AC compressor drive pulley just idle, without actually spinning the AC compressor, when the AC system is disabled? I believe the AC compressor drive pulley has a magnetic clutch which when not energised will not rotate the pump, and any worries about lack of lubrication (provided maybe by the circulating AC gas?) need not be considered?
The AC has never worked as it probably needs servicing and recharging. I'd very much appreciate any advice on this. Thanks.
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: isle of man on December 31, 2010, 02:48:24 PM
Removal should not be a problem - why not just get a dummy idler from a wrangler?
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Mike Pavelin on December 31, 2010, 05:43:01 PM
You can use the AC compressor as an air compressor with the right parts. Keep the hoses and leave the condenser in place as an intercooler.
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Lornaben on December 31, 2010, 06:05:06 PM
If I remember right, NEXUS aka Nick has done it using his AC compressor
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: isle of man on December 31, 2010, 06:13:17 PM
You can get a kit from here.... http://www.oasisoffroad.com/ (http://www.oasisoffroad.com/)
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: daggie on December 31, 2010, 06:19:54 PM
or bin the lot and put a shorter belt on it :003:
I'll get the part number tomorrow
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Mike Pavelin on December 31, 2010, 07:55:43 PM
If I remember right, NEXUS aka Nick has done it using his AC compressor
I did it on my last XJ. UKJeeper did it on his YJ too.
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: isle of man on December 31, 2010, 09:53:43 PM
If I remember right, NEXUS aka Nick has done it using his AC compressor
I did it on my last XJ. UKJeeper did it on his YJ too.

As I recall did UKJeeper not get this wrong - like a I.E.D from the Taliban??
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Bishops Finger on December 31, 2010, 09:55:32 PM
IIRC you may well be right Mr H...
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Mike Pavelin on January 01, 2011, 08:47:57 AM
If I remember right, NEXUS aka Nick has done it using his AC compressor
I did it on my last XJ. UKJeeper did it on his YJ too.

As I recall did UKJeeper not get this wrong - like a I.E.D from the Taliban??
Just a glitch during development. Works fine now.
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: middlespokes on January 03, 2011, 08:26:00 PM
Thankyou everyone for your suggestions. I'm now into changing the heater core blimey what a job! Made up a puller to get the steering wheel off but it would not budge until I heated the aluminium centre with a paint stripper hot air blower, taking care to shield the plastic bits and cables. Then when again under pressure with my home made extractor it popped off a treat - aluminium expands more than steel when heated.
I've made the mistake of buying the new heater core when last in the USA not realising that many componants, including the heater core are left and right handed - for left or right hand drive jeeps. So I've had to unsolder the pipes with their mounting plates and swap the original pipes onto the the new core. Think it should fit ok now and hopefully not leak - think I'd better pressure test it before reassembly..
Continueing tomorrow after I get some new sticky backed sealing foam strip to go around the new core.
I'm thinking about removing the air conditioning cooling core and just leaving the heater core, as I will not be reinstalling all the AC pipework and compressor. Any problems with that does anyone know? Apart from sealing the hole left in the casing where the pipework emerges.
Title: Re: Cherokee 98 XJ Remove AC equipment except the pump
Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 03, 2011, 08:33:42 PM
i think that may actually make an improvement over the original setup in winter.