'96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.

His diagnosis:

Replace evaporator (leaking)
Replace discharge hose (leaking)
Replace what he called the "bendar motor"

His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!

I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.

Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.


Best Regards,

Marcel

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

There is no such thing as a "bendar motor". Are you sure he didn't say
"blower motor"? If you have a leaking evaporator and hose, you would be
wise to have all the O-rings replaced at the same time.

You can not do the work yourself, unless you are exceptional and have access
to some expensive tools. After the repairs have been made, the system needs
to be evacuated, and filled with the precise amount of refrigerant.

You can buy a "recharge kit" at many automotive parts stores. This will
contain a can of perhaps 12 oz. of refrigerant, with a hose to dispense it
into the system. This is not a permanent fix, and results are not assured,
but many people have used it as a "temporary" fix. Availability depends on
the laws of your state.

Earle

"mlee" <nospam@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:8kS%f.216$yQ.72@trnddc07...
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)
> Replace discharge hose (leaking)
> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Any suggestions would be very welcome.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

There is no such thing as a "bendar motor". Are you sure he didn't say
"blower motor"? If you have a leaking evaporator and hose, you would be
wise to have all the O-rings replaced at the same time.

You can not do the work yourself, unless you are exceptional and have access
to some expensive tools. After the repairs have been made, the system needs
to be evacuated, and filled with the precise amount of refrigerant.

You can buy a "recharge kit" at many automotive parts stores. This will
contain a can of perhaps 12 oz. of refrigerant, with a hose to dispense it
into the system. This is not a permanent fix, and results are not assured,
but many people have used it as a "temporary" fix. Availability depends on
the laws of your state.

Earle

"mlee" <nospam@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:8kS%f.216$yQ.72@trnddc07...
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)
> Replace discharge hose (leaking)
> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Any suggestions would be very welcome.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

There is no such thing as a "bendar motor". Are you sure he didn't say
"blower motor"? If you have a leaking evaporator and hose, you would be
wise to have all the O-rings replaced at the same time.

You can not do the work yourself, unless you are exceptional and have access
to some expensive tools. After the repairs have been made, the system needs
to be evacuated, and filled with the precise amount of refrigerant.

You can buy a "recharge kit" at many automotive parts stores. This will
contain a can of perhaps 12 oz. of refrigerant, with a hose to dispense it
into the system. This is not a permanent fix, and results are not assured,
but many people have used it as a "temporary" fix. Availability depends on
the laws of your state.

Earle

"mlee" <nospam@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:8kS%f.216$yQ.72@trnddc07...
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)
> Replace discharge hose (leaking)
> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Any suggestions would be very welcome.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Marcel

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

mlee did pass the time by typing:
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)

This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
get at the evaporator.

> Replace discharge hose (leaking)

o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.

> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"

Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
it's not common.

> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.

Check the recall first.

Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.

Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.

What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
you have.)

--
DougW

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

mlee did pass the time by typing:
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)

This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
get at the evaporator.

> Replace discharge hose (leaking)

o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.

> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"

Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
it's not common.

> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.

Check the recall first.

Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.

Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.

What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
you have.)

--
DougW

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

mlee did pass the time by typing:
> the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
>
> His diagnosis:
>
> Replace evaporator (leaking)

This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
get at the evaporator.

> Replace discharge hose (leaking)

o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.

> Replace what he called the "bendar motor"

Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
it's not common.

> His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
>
> I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
>
> Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.

Check the recall first.

Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.

Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.

What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
you have.)

--
DougW

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

In my experience, which isn't all that much but it is something, if you have
a leak that is enough to stop your AC from working, then one of those
recharge kits is good for a season, maybe. Still, if you don't have the
money this year, but you might have it next year, it will be a good
investment. Especially if you live in Florida.

Where I live, if you are too hot, just drive up hill. ;^)

Earle

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:aiT%f.10692$IZ2.4133@dukeread07...
> mlee did pass the time by typing:
> > the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> > to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
> >
> > His diagnosis:
> >
> > Replace evaporator (leaking)
>
> This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
> get at the evaporator.
>
> > Replace discharge hose (leaking)
>
> o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
> A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
> Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
> compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.
>
> > Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
> damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
> They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
> it's not common.
>
> > His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
> >
> > I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> > is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
> >
> > Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> > cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Check the recall first.
>
> Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
> equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
> and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.
>
> Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
> isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.
>
> What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
> some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
> will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
> you have.)
>
> --
> DougW
>
>

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

In my experience, which isn't all that much but it is something, if you have
a leak that is enough to stop your AC from working, then one of those
recharge kits is good for a season, maybe. Still, if you don't have the
money this year, but you might have it next year, it will be a good
investment. Especially if you live in Florida.

Where I live, if you are too hot, just drive up hill. ;^)

Earle

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:aiT%f.10692$IZ2.4133@dukeread07...
> mlee did pass the time by typing:
> > the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> > to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
> >
> > His diagnosis:
> >
> > Replace evaporator (leaking)
>
> This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
> get at the evaporator.
>
> > Replace discharge hose (leaking)
>
> o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
> A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
> Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
> compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.
>
> > Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
> damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
> They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
> it's not common.
>
> > His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
> >
> > I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> > is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
> >
> > Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> > cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Check the recall first.
>
> Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
> equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
> and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.
>
> Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
> isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.
>
> What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
> some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
> will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
> you have.)
>
> --
> DougW
>
>

Re: '96 GC Air Conditioning woes
 

In my experience, which isn't all that much but it is something, if you have
a leak that is enough to stop your AC from working, then one of those
recharge kits is good for a season, maybe. Still, if you don't have the
money this year, but you might have it next year, it will be a good
investment. Especially if you live in Florida.

Where I live, if you are too hot, just drive up hill. ;^)

Earle

"DougW" <post.replies@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:aiT%f.10692$IZ2.4133@dukeread07...
> mlee did pass the time by typing:
> > the AC on my '96 Grand Cherokee has been blowing warm air so I took it
> > to a local reputiable AC mechanic to have it fixed.
> >
> > His diagnosis:
> >
> > Replace evaporator (leaking)
>
> This is not a good thing. It takes quite a bit of effort to
> get at the evaporator.
>
> > Replace discharge hose (leaking)
>
> o-rings probably. Look for grease/dirt around the fittings.
> A bit of oil escapes with the R134a and traps dirt.
> Resist the urge to overtighten the banjo bolts on the AC
> compressor, they are into very weak aluminum.
>
> > Replace what he called the "bendar motor"
>
> Blend-Air motor. This is the doodad that moves the
> damper between cold and hot or the cooling coil and heater core.
> They can go bad but it's not usual. They do stick and wear, but
> it's not common.
>
> > His estimate was $1700.00!!!!!!
> >
> > I just can't afford that right now but I live in Florida and the summer
> > is almost here so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative.
> >
> > Is the above described work something I could do myself? What would it
> > cost me to purchase the items I need to replace.
>
> Check the recall first.
>
> Generally AC work is hard for the backyard mechanic to do because of the
> equipment required to pump the system down if you replace major parts
> and the evaporator is a MAJOR part.
>
> Given the evaporator might be leaking the price (based on hours of work)
> isn't that far out there. Getting that part out is a bitch of a job.
>
> What you could do is get a R134a recharge kit with pressure gauge and put
> some more coolant in there. It will leak out again but at least your AC
> will probably work for a few more years. (all depends how much of a leak
> you have.)
>
> --
> DougW
>
>