toid Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I couldn't find a "search this forum" feature so I tried the google method and didn't find exactly what I needed to know: I'd be grateful for a link. I'm sure there is one as mine is probably a common problem. I'd asked of another forum but have got no help.I recently repaired/recharged the AC in my 90 4.0 after 2 or 3 years of not being used (if what the PO told me was right).There was no upgrade information posted anywhere and I believe the PO mentioned that the last time he recharged the AC he couldn't do it himself. This leads me to believe it was still R12.My mechanic friend & I went to evac gas and there was only a minute amount of pressure present. I replaced Orings until it held vacuum and oiled/charged with R12. Plenty cold the last week and performed without any noise nor hitches but today I discovered a "growling" noise, intermittant (about 85% present) and it seems to be coming from AC compressor as it stops when AC is turned off.An Internet search presents the popular opinion that the compressor is failing. If not so what are my possibilities for repair?Could this be due to me unwittingly crossing up a 134 system with R12?Regardless, If my compressor is failing I will need another and I will go with 134a upgrade.All that to ask this: Since I'm going to upgrade & I'm compressor shopping, do I go back with a stock one? OR is there one more compatible with the 134 that is a direct replacement? I have read a dryer & Expansion Valve replacement is mandated for most compressor warrantees and I also plan to replace the lines. Is there anything else I need to do?Don't know that much about AC... to me it may as well be magic. Any experienced advice / recommendations appreciated.thanks!Rev. Toid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Go to rockauto.com and find your truck. Look at 'compressor and component' listing and choose one of the two. Best deal you'll find anywhere, and it's the deal that I bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I believe you should replace anything from the r12 system to avoid the 'black death' from happening. There will be some that will say you can go ahead and use the r134a and run with that for awhile. Some have been fortunate to no problems but others haven't. I'm a believer that If you didn't flush your system, you set yourself for failure. I had aamco flush my evaporator and the black cr@p that came out was amazing. (No evaporator core replaces my '88, I've looked. ) I've replaced everything but that. The r134a hoses are barrier type and differ from r12, not to mention o-rings, it's only a matter of time before your efforts are for naught. my 2cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toid Posted July 16, 2014 Author Share Posted July 16, 2014 Do the replacement compressors work as well with the 134a as they do with the R12 they were designed to work with? I got a fellow minister who runs a big shop locally who does the fancy AC flushing, etc. He said he'd be glad to get it done for me. I can do the install work and save that little bit of labor. I just need a little help with my parts selection. You say the stock 12 hoses are not exactly designed to contain the 134 refrigerant? Are there 134-compatible hoses available to replace mine? Or at least a crossover part that will fit, ie. a later model Cherokee? I'm ignorant and too broke for parts-trial-and-error. THANKS!! Rev. Toid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 I think any compressor you get today will be r134a or r12 compatible. From what I've researched, the r134a barrier hoses are better designed for use with the smaller molecule r134a refrigerant. I guess the r12 is a fatter molecule. My '88 had its original hoses until recently. There was a leak at one of the crimp fittings. It was the suction hose, the one with the muffler. I found its replacement on ebay, I believe. The other hoses I found at Jeep Air in Florida. They will make any hoses you need, just send them your old ones for them to use as a template. I replaced my condenser and got it from Napa. Mine unraveled like an accordion when I placed a wrench on the fitting for disassembly. That was for the best. From what I've researched, the r12 condenser is a trouble spot when making the switch to r134a. No amount of flushing will clear an r12 condenser. The dryer and expansion valve I got from RockAuto....... The parts are out there. You just have to search. Quadratec had the evaporator for my '88 or I thought they did. I placed an order for a $230+ evaporator for my MJ. No problem, I thought. If it fits and works, it be worth it. The order was placed in april. They said it was 30-90 days. Okay, its a made to order item. I can relate to that since I'm in the service industry. At 90 days I call to ask for an ETA. They contact their vendor and get a response, "we won't be making that evaporator anymore." Joy! Its a learning experience........ Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1988/jeep/comanche/climate_control/a-fs-c_evaporator.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 Those both will not fit the heater box in my '88. Tried those already. That snagle of tubing coming off the bottom of evaporator make them too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toid Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 Thanks. I am shopping around now. Although, I'm gettting pretty good prices at the local O'reiley's. Overall total on the stuff I need is cheaper than the online vendors so far. I tried a search and then some digging, but couldn't find any stock hoses for my truck that were listed as being suitable for 134... that is to say "barrier" hoses, but you say this place in Fla will make me some? How much did they run you, If I may ask? My stock ones are about 55 bucks apiece. Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 They offered to make mine if I sent them, but I went with the '90-91 hoses they had in stock. They looked the same and I figured if they didn't work they'd take them back, provided I didn't install them. The part numbers are on pictures in my photobucket you'll find in my signature. They worked just fine except the discharge hose could have been oriented differently. I had to twist it to make it work, but not by much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloride Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 Correction. I meant to say I had to twist the hose from the expansion valve to the dryer, not the discharge hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 JeepAir in Florida can fill any gaps you have in sourcing parts locally or on-line. Best advice I can give you is to just give them a call, My liquid line was not available anywhere and they knew exactly what I needed and shipped me the part...like $36 plus shipping or something like that. Good place for hard to find A/C parts and they know their stuff. From what I've read on this thread, you're getting all the right advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toid Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 I had a thought today. It almost HAS to be 12 in the system because, label or no label, I should have deduced by the fact that the fittings were not 134 fittings. Straight up 12 fittings. DUH. STILL, If I'm re-compressor-ing Ima do the right thing and upgrade. Thanks, guys! People helping people just because they can: doing unto others kindly as it was done unto them. DANG! Why can't the rest of the world be like a enthusiast forum? Now if you could fix my slightly choppy idle... (he says as he goes to another thread) Rev. Toid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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