Fixed My Jeep Cherokee A/C ~ Pass on tip

[brin]

My AC in my Jeep started blowing hot air....I took it to the dealer they said the though it was a leak in the evaporator....under the dash...so it would cost $1300.00...but they would split it with me...so $650 to me...I took a pass...

I went to Walmart after researching products and reviews on line and bought a can of Freon...Comes in a big black can and sells for $35.00- it contains a stop lead additive and lubricant as well as the freon....It is called " AC Pro Refrigerant " and it took me 10 minutes and so far I have Ice cold AC....It is supposed to seal all around all of the o rings , connections etc...but just a tip...before falling for the dealers pitch...better to at least try this first...and so far it is working fine like so many on the customer reviews on line said it did for them...:thumbsup:

 

[NormL]

:thumbsup:
Good that you were able to use something off the shelf to fix the leak! I tried a product called Dura Cool available locally and as I was emptying the leak repair can, I saw a cloud of vapours emanating from under the van. The vehicle is a mini-van with rear air and I'm thinking the leak must be a big one after seeing that cloud of vapours! I'm not sure if it is worthwhile to try another dose of this stuff or bite the bullet and go to an AC place.

 

[arlen4720]

Start saving for the real repair. I put an evaporater in my jeep cherokee myself....not fun. The 2 main causes of an evap leak, is something falling down the defrost vent and wearing a hole in the coil, and moisture in the refrigerant (from a shotty repair...like a deer hit) causing the alluminum evap coil to rot from the inside out. Both scenarios can't be fixed for any length of time with the "snake oil". 650.00 would be a fabulous deal. IIRC, the parts are close to that (evap, and filter/dryer)

 

[brin]

Start saving for the real repair. I put an evaporater in my jeep cherokee myself....not fun. The 2 main causes of an evap leak, is something falling down the defrost vent and wearing a hole in the coil, and moisture in the refrigerant (from a shotty repair...like a deer hit) causing the alluminum evap coil to rot from the inside out. Both scenarios can't be fixed for any length of time with the "snake oil". 650.00 would be a fabulous deal. IIRC, the parts are close to that (evap, and filter/dryer)

I hate to hear that...I am hoping the dealer is crooked...On the receipt I got for the $50 they charged me to fill it with Freon...when I told them no on the the evaporator....the service manager wrote " SUSPECTED EVAPORATOR LEAK " Now I don't know about you but before I agree to spend $650.00 ...I have to have more than Suspected..I have to have a firm ...this is the problem...I also am willing to just add freon a few times a supper instead of feeding more money to this dealer....I have already had them install about $1,000 worth of AC parts and fixes over the last few years...So the trust is gone...I have the hose to fill the freon and the refill cans are only $12 so if I had to use 4 or 5 a summer...that's fine. Maybe I'll get lucky and it is not the evaporator...the dealer wasn't sure. Thanks for the heads up though.

 

[arlen4720]

The only sure fire test is...If you can get access to a "sniffer", stick the snout in the heater vent on the floor, or the condensate drain. It should "go off" pretty good, if the car has sat for awhile. What year is your cherokee?

 

[brin]

The only sure fire test is...If you can get access to a "sniffer", stick the snout in the heater vent on the floor, or the condensate drain. It should "go off" pretty good, if the car has sat for awhile. What year is your cherokee?

It is a 2000 Cherokee Classic and only has 80K miles on it...I bought it new...I stopped the coil up with fescue seeds driving through the hay before it was cut...did not know any better...that was $500 and change to replace...there was something else up front under the hood having to do with the AC that was $300 or $400 to replace...all this with the same dealer...so I can't trust them....What is a " sniffer " ? What would it be looking to find...? Freon ? Thanks.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Its a gas detector calibrated for 134a freon.

Be careful with 'stop leak' freon cans. They can plug the orifice and block flow. BUt, if its a very slow leak, the stop leak can fix it for a very long time. Or not. All depends. I fixed a Frigidare freezer 4 years ago with stop leak (red kind) and its still going. Also, unless you drained your system, you do not actually need the oil either. Just use simple 134a freon.

 

[brin]

Its a gas detector calibrated for 134a freon.

Be careful with 'stop leak' freon cans. They can plug the orifice and block flow. BUt, if its a very slow leak, the stop leak can fix it for a very long time. Or not. All depends. I fixed a Frigidare freezer 4 years ago with stop leak (red kind) and its still going. Also, unless you drained your system, you do not actually need the oil either. Just use simple 134a freon.

Too late now on the stop leak...it came with the can of Freon...it was in the mix along with a lubricant...So far it has worked...it is Ice Cold...I just hope it keeps working...I don't see why it may just have been some little leaks around some O rings...the dealer was not even sure...As far as the Freon sniffer..I don't have one and I sure don't trust the dealer...so if this only last a month..then I will just add the 134a freon..no more stop leak mix...Thanks...any other advice more than welcome.

 

[Midniteoyl]

You could stop in at a local HVAC shop and ask them to sniff for you.. Most tech will do it for free. Only takes a minute. Wouldnt expect you to have one as they cost $$$.

 

[brin]

You could stop in at a local HVAC shop and ask them to sniff for you.. Most tech will do it for free. Only takes a minute. Wouldnt expect you to have one as they cost $$$.

OK - would my HVAC guy that I use for my home system have one of those sniffers?...because he is a friend..also it was mentioned the Jeep has to sit for awhile...Is that so and if so how long since I would have to sit with it an wait ?