98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question

PFunk26 · 07-08-2007, 10:23 PM

Here's the deal, my wife's Jeep is taking an all out crap lately as the catalytic converter need replacing(rattles like crazy) and today we were driving home from green bay and the ac died, then started to smell like it was burning. So tonight I messed with the fuses ( i figured it wasnt that but have limited car knowledge) started it up with the air on to a nice loud screeching noise took a spin around the block still no air, screeching stopped half way around and when I popped the hood there was smoke coming out by the AC compressor (I believe). So shut it off let sit for awhile then went back and cruised around the block without turning the air on, no smoke. Anyone have any ideas? Just thought i'd ask on here we cant get it to a shop til wednes and if i can avoid paying a shop even better.

Monkeydad · 07-09-2007, 09:02 AM

I'd just get a junkyard AC motor and take it somewhere to get recharged afterwards. It's not worth getting a NEW part for it.

Do you have emissions inspections in your state? If not, lose the cat and have a muffler shop weld in a straight pipe. It'll sound nicer too.

If you do have emissions inspections, you'll just have to get a new cat. Just look for a generic OEM replacement if you want to save money on it.

firstdown · 07-09-2007, 10:14 AM

It sounds as if the AC compressor has seized up. If you are good with tools its an easy repair. Around $250.00 for the compressor and evaporator and a recharging kit. If you take iit to a shop it will run around $800.00. The rattling around the catalytic converter is probably just one of the heat sheilds which a $25.00 tac weld can fix. They do tend to pop loose and it sounds like to peices of metal tinging together.

cpayne5 · 07-09-2007, 11:36 AM

Yeah, locked up AC compressor. Go for a reman, not a junkyard compressor. You'll get some sort of warranty with a reman. The price difference probably won't be all the much in the end, anyway.

Most muffler shops will not be willing to replace your cat w/ a straight pipe. It's a $25k fine for both the shop that does the work and for the owner of the vehicle. They usually don't touch stuff like that. I'm not familiar with GC's enough to know whether or not they have an after cat O2 sensor (probably not, but I'm not sure). If they do, then removal of the cat will introduce a whole new set of problems. If it were me, I'd get some wire and see if I could just tighten down the shield enough to stop the rattle.

TheMalcolmConnection · 07-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Or if you don't plan on parking in any fields anytime soon, you could just take it off.

mredskins · 07-09-2007, 12:03 PM

Sounds like the serpentine belt may be rubbing or wearing out. It drives all the accesiores on the motor. Fairly easy to swap out. I know GC are know for having AC problems it is always the evaroparotor. THIS IS NOT EASY TO FIX. IT is located on the passenger fairly far up in the dashboard, requiring you to tear it a part. On my 97 GC same problem, so I just re charge it every month. It is really easy to recharge your system. I have had 3 GC all had big problems after 85k miles.

cpayne5 · 07-09-2007, 12:15 PM

The evaporator has nothing to do w/ the belt. With the symptoms described, it's almost a certainty that your compressor has seized, PFunk.

The a/c compressor has a clutch on it. When the a/c is turned on from the cab the clutch is engaged which transfers power from the spinning pulley to the internal parts of the compressor. The smoke comes from when the clutch is engaged. The clutch engages, but then the pulley is locked up to the compressor (seized, and not spinning), which makes the belt skid across it, creating smoke.

firstdown · 07-09-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpayne5

The evaporator has nothing to do w/ the belt. With the symptoms described, it's almost a certainty that your compressor has seized, PFunk.

The a/c compressor has a clutch on it. When the a/c is turned on from the cab the clutch is engaged which transfers power from the spinning pulley to the internal parts of the compressor. The smoke comes from when the clutch is engaged. The clutch engages, but then the pulley is locked up to the compressor (seized, and not spinning), which makes the belt skid across it, creating smoke.

What he sadi and if you decide to wait on getting the AC repaired I would get that belt replaced. It sounds as if you burnt the belt and if you do not replace and it breaks the car won't runn very long. Maybe 2 to 3 minutes before it will start to over heat as the water pump is driven by this belt.

mredskins · 07-09-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpayne5

The evaporator has nothing to do w/ the belt. With the symptoms described, it's almost a certainty that your compressor has seized, PFunk.

The a/c compressor has a clutch on it. When the a/c is turned on from the cab the clutch is engaged which transfers power from the spinning pulley to the internal parts of the compressor. The smoke comes from when the clutch is engaged. The clutch engages, but then the pulley is locked up to the compressor (seized, and not spinning), which makes the belt skid across it, creating smoke.

No really? I was just going through possible causes for his problem. I agrre it is most likely the belt. I have literally taken apart and put back that engine in my Engines 2 class. I am fairly well versed in it.

cpayne5 · 07-09-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredskins

No really? I was just going through possible causes for his problem. I agrre it is most likely the belt. I have literally taken apart and put back that engine in my Engines 2 class. I am fairly well versed in it.

The way your posts read, its as if you're claiming "it's just a bad belt". It's not.

mredskins · 07-09-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpayne5

The way your posts read, its as if you're claiming "it's just a bad belt". It's not.

you are right now that I actually read his post instead of speed reading. =) If it was not making the belt screech when the ac is off it is the compressor. that sucks because now he will have to evac the system then replace the compressor and then re-charge the system.

love them hogs · 07-09-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredskins

Sounds like the serpentine belt may be rubbing or wearing out. It drives all the accesiores on the motor. Fairly easy to swap out. I know GC are know for having AC problems it is always the evaroparotor. THIS IS NOT EASY TO FIX. IT is located on the passenger fairly far up in the dashboard, requiring you to tear it a part. On my 97 GC same problem, so I just re charge it every month. It is really easy to recharge your system. I have had 3 GC all had big problems after 85k miles.

You didnt really do that did you?R-134a and R-12 are both dangerous chemicals and should never be inhaled unless you would like to get cancer or freeze your lungs.If your evaporator is leaking than you need to get it fixed or the freon recovered.Just re-charging the system that is leaking a dangerous substance in the cab of the car is the worst advice I have ever heard.DONT DO IT!!!

If you are wondering I am a collision repair tech that deals with this stuff everyday.I dont know what you think you learned in some engine class but if you are telling people to do that , then you dont know what you are talking about and shouldnt be giving advice.Sorry if I sound harsh but you are putting yourself and others in danger with that type of "shade tree" mechanics.

love them hogs · 07-09-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpayne5

The evaporator has nothing to do w/ the belt. With the symptoms described, it's almost a certainty that your compressor has seized, PFunk.

The a/c compressor has a clutch on it. When the a/c is turned on from the cab the clutch is engaged which transfers power from the spinning pulley to the internal parts of the compressor. The smoke comes from when the clutch is engaged. The clutch engages, but then the pulley is locked up to the compressor (seized, and not spinning), which makes the belt skid across it, creating smoke.

This is right on in my opinion as far as the A/C goes.The exhaust, on the other hand,is a look and see type problem.Like someone said before , it could be as simple as a loose heat shield but it could also be that the cat is clogged.If it turns out that it is the cat and you live in an emmisions controlled state then you should replace it.If you dont have emmisions then cut it and gut it.You just cut the pipe coming out at the front or back , take a pry bar or long screwdriver and gut it out.You or someone who has a mig welder will have to weld it back up.Hope this helps.

p.s
go for an AFTERMARKET compressor, not O.E.M (that stands for original equipment manufacturer i.e the people who made your car) and make sure that whoever re charges the system puts oil back into the system.This is a common mistake made by technicians.It wont cause any problems right away but in a year or two you will be shopping for another compressor.

mredskins · 07-18-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by love them hogs

You didnt really do that did you?R-134a and R-12 are both dangerous chemicals and should never be inhaled unless you would like to get cancer or freeze your lungs.If your evaporator is leaking than you need to get it fixed or the freon recovered.Just re-charging the system that is leaking a dangerous substance in the cab of the car is the worst advice I have ever heard.DONT DO IT!!!

If you are wondering I am a collision repair tech that deals with this stuff everyday.I dont know what you think you learned in some engine class but if you are telling people to do that , then you dont know what you are talking about and shouldnt be giving advice.Sorry if I sound harsh but you are putting yourself and others in danger with that type of "shade tree" mechanics.

first off my evaporator is not pouring out R-134a it is a slow leak and I am guessing that is where it is leaking from. I ran dye through the system and I can see it showing up near the fire wall.

Second off R-134a doesn't cause cancer nor will it freeze your lungs at those doses. It will make you high if you puff it like a drug user.
1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

R-22 that is a diffrent story and you need a license to handle it at least in VA.

PFunk26 · 07-21-2007, 10:43 PM

thanks for all the help guys we found a local guy to check it out and the Cat conv was indeed screwed and the compressor is shot on the ac. Got the Converter replaced gonna go without the air for awhile and see how it goes. But thanks very much for the help it's nice to go in with a little idea whats going on

07-08-2007, 10:23 PM	#1
PFunk26 Special Teams Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grafton, WI Age: 45 Posts: 355	98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question Here's the deal, my wife's Jeep is taking an all out crap lately as the catalytic converter need replacing(rattles like crazy) and today we were driving home from green bay and the ac died, then started to smell like it was burning. So tonight I messed with the fuses ( i figured it wasnt that but have limited car knowledge) started it up with the air on to a nice loud screeching noise took a spin around the block still no air, screeching stopped half way around and when I popped the hood there was smoke coming out by the AC compressor (I believe). So shut it off let sit for awhile then went back and cruised around the block without turning the air on, no smoke. Anyone have any ideas? Just thought i'd ask on here we cant get it to a shop til wednes and if i can avoid paying a shop even better. __________________ 'I don’t care what it takes, we’re not leaving here without another ring.’ ”

07-09-2007, 09:02 AM	#2
Monkeydad Living Legend Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: PA Age: 45 Posts: 17,460	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question I'd just get a junkyard AC motor and take it somewhere to get recharged afterwards. It's not worth getting a NEW part for it. Do you have emissions inspections in your state? If not, lose the cat and have a muffler shop weld in a straight pipe. It'll sound nicer too. If you do have emissions inspections, you'll just have to get a new cat. Just look for a generic OEM replacement if you want to save money on it.

07-09-2007, 10:14 AM	#3
firstdown Living Legend Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: chesapeake, va Age: 60 Posts: 15,817	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question It sounds as if the AC compressor has seized up. If you are good with tools its an easy repair. Around $250.00 for the compressor and evaporator and a recharging kit. If you take iit to a shop it will run around $800.00. The rattling around the catalytic converter is probably just one of the heat sheilds which a $25.00 tac weld can fix. They do tend to pop loose and it sounds like to peices of metal tinging together.

07-09-2007, 11:36 AM	#4
cpayne5 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,807	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question Yeah, locked up AC compressor. Go for a reman, not a junkyard compressor. You'll get some sort of warranty with a reman. The price difference probably won't be all the much in the end, anyway. Most muffler shops will not be willing to replace your cat w/ a straight pipe. It's a $25k fine for both the shop that does the work and for the owner of the vehicle. They usually don't touch stuff like that. I'm not familiar with GC's enough to know whether or not they have an after cat O2 sensor (probably not, but I'm not sure). If they do, then removal of the cat will introduce a whole new set of problems. If it were me, I'd get some wire and see if I could just tighten down the shield enough to stop the rattle.

07-09-2007, 11:41 AM	#5
TheMalcolmConnection I like big (_\|_)s. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlottesville, Virginia Age: 43 Posts: 19,252	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question Or if you don't plan on parking in any fields anytime soon, you could just take it off. __________________ Regret nothing. At one time it was exactly what you wanted.

07-09-2007, 12:03 PM	#6
mredskins Gamebreaker Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 12,952	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question Sounds like the serpentine belt may be rubbing or wearing out. It drives all the accesiores on the motor. Fairly easy to swap out. I know GC are know for having AC problems it is always the evaroparotor. THIS IS NOT EASY TO FIX. IT is located on the passenger fairly far up in the dashboard, requiring you to tear it a part. On my 97 GC same problem, so I just re charge it every month. It is really easy to recharge your system. I have had 3 GC all had big problems after 85k miles.

07-09-2007, 12:15 PM	#7
cpayne5 Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,807	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question The evaporator has nothing to do w/ the belt. With the symptoms described, it's almost a certainty that your compressor has seized, PFunk. The a/c compressor has a clutch on it. When the a/c is turned on from the cab the clutch is engaged which transfers power from the spinning pulley to the internal parts of the compressor. The smoke comes from when the clutch is engaged. The clutch engages, but then the pulley is locked up to the compressor (seized, and not spinning), which makes the belt skid across it, creating smoke.

07-21-2007, 10:43 PM	#15
PFunk26 Special Teams Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grafton, WI Age: 45 Posts: 355	Re: 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question thanks for all the help guys we found a local guy to check it out and the Cat conv was indeed screwed and the compressor is shot on the ac. Got the Converter replaced gonna go without the air for awhile and see how it goes. But thanks very much for the help it's nice to go in with a little idea whats going on __________________ 'I don’t care what it takes, we’re not leaving here without another ring.’ ”

98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Question

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