Removing AC pump & everything associated with the AC?

[Jesse]

Okay, soooooo I have the 98 TJ and I'm finding the Air conditioning to be annoying. One I never use it, two it takes up space & engine power(kinda), threee because of the pump I can't use a K&N Cold Air Intake. Anyone have any idea how hard it is to remove the AC & everything associated with it?

 

[SteelHeadz]

Evacuate the refrigerant , remove the a/c compressor and lines all the way to the H-block going to the evaporator, then plug the evaporator fittings to keep the debris out. You can also remove the condenser in front of the radiator if you want. You will need to replace the belt with a shorter one. The belt routing will be the same.

 

[Jesse]

But it won't effect the way anything runs? Also, if I switched the air over to AC would it just blow normal air? or nothing at all?

 

[SteelHeadz]

You might not even notice a difference on the engine performance without that extra pulley being turned by the crankshaft, but yes it makes a difference. The blower will still work on the a/c setting without the cold air.

 

[Jesse]

Think it's something a professional should do? Or anyone could do? & thank you for your responses.

 

[SteelHeadz]

Other than evacuating the refrigerant, No.

 

[buckshot500]

Consider turning that compressor into an on-board air pump!

 

[Jesse]

But if I ever sell the Jeep, (Which i don't plan to do.. but you never know), The value would go up if I had a working AC system... So I'm taking the pump out but leaving everything else in.

 

[SteelHeadz]

Make sure you plug the lines well to keep the contaminations out of the system.

 

[bgrinder]

where are You located. I do refrigeration work and I could help You out as far as removing everything. I live in Santa Maria

 

[Jesse]

I'm near San Francisco, which would be quite a drive... But thanks for your offer. How would you suggest plugging the lines? I haven't taken a look at them yet..

 

[bgrinder]

I would take it to an automotive airconditioning place ( a lot of gas stations ) have them recover the refrigerant , then remove the hard line that is screwed into the fitting andcut it and have it brazed closed( do it 3-4 inches from the fitting), then reinstall it to the fittings to prevent contaminants fron entering system. I would leave the condensor/reciever in place in case You want to put it back to original down the road. You can sell the parts and probably pay for any labor You have to pay for.

 

[Jesse]

I already evacuated the freon from the AC system. So all I need to do now is disconnect the lines & take out the pump. But my question is, what would be the best way to cover the lines in a way that does not damage them & would make it pretty easy to just hook everything back together?

 

[SteelHeadz]

Go to Napa or any local auto parts store and ask them for a rubber plug that would snuglly fit on the ends of the lines. Use duct tape to hold it in place if you have to, better be safe than sorry when the time comes that you want the a/c back on there.

 

[Jesse]

Alright, thank you SteelHeadz & everyone else who responded. I really appreciate it.

 

[jfrabat]

But if I ever sell the Jeep, (Which i don't plan to do.. but you never know), The value would go up if I had a working AC system... So I'm taking the pump out but leaving everything else in.

Consider turning that compressor into an on-board air pump!

OBA would also improve your resell value, I would guess (I dont know if it would be the same as AC, though). I would go for OBA personally... (actually, I got an electric compressor andleft the AC in place, as both Miami and, the Jeep's next home, Panama in Central America are both pretty hot places).

 

[buckshot500]

Shame I didn't remember this sooner, but many parts stores carry bypass belts
for A.C. vehicles. Most vehicles have a belt routing diagram, (sticker) that shows routing for bypass belts. You could have left everything connected & in place.

 

[Jesse]

I have now taken the ac compressor out & it's sitting on my kitchen table. I replaced the belt with one that's made for a jeep without AC, and my cold air intake is working amazingly well.

 

[jps4jeep]

Thats a lot of work for a stupid cold air intake... unless you have your heart set on the K&N (and there are plenty of similay and or better options) I would leave the AC right where it is and go anouther route. one of the simplest ways not to have the paracitic draw is to get the belt from a non AC jeep and put it on, you will have to pull one pully off the engine, I believe the lower one on the alt. bracket


EDIT, I just saw yours is a 98, might be more or less involved in belt replacement