Topic: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?

[Jeffy]

My 1992 Volvo 240 has the clutch fan attached to the water pump, but it also has an electric fan that comes on when the AC is turned on.  Yes, the electric fan does improve the AC performance when stopped at a light.
I doubt I'll do any modifications to the Jeep's AC system now that it is installed.  The AC perfomance is outstanding.  I also now have the confidence to work on the system down the road should repairs be needed.  Maybe one day I'll look into getting a vacuum pump.

what I'm saying is to replace the clutch fan for n electric fan.  Depending on how you want to go bout it, you could either wire the electric fan to turn on when the AC is on or add an additional fan.  This would take the load of the clutch fan off the engine and help offset the performance loss.  It as not thing to do with the AC itself.

[DanMarino]

I drove on Interstate 70 from Baltimore, past Frederick, MD and back in the Jeep. Air temperature was in the mid-80's, so I had the AC running. The Jeep performed pretty much just as it always does on the interstate. I stayed in the right hand lane and ran the 65 mph speed limit with no troubles. The Jeep did not like going up the mountain just west of Frederick with the AC on, and it hated going up that hill prior to the AC installation. I did notice that the high pressure AC hose that went into the evaporator/fan box from the fire wall had a lot of condensation on it. So yesterday evening I wrapped some pipe insulation on it. I'm 100% satisfied with this project.

Best wishes to all who followed my work.

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[Jeffy]

Hey, did your drier come with a U bracket or the plate attached to it?  I'm getting ready to install mine but I haven't figured out if the drier is supposed ot be clamped to the fender or clamped into the bracket.

[DanMarino]

My drier had a mounting plate integrated onto the back of it.  It had three holes to screw/bolt it to the fender.

[Jeffy]

My drier had a mounting plate integrated onto the back of it.  It had three holes to screw/bolt it to the fender.

OK, they sent me the universal with the metal strap.  I need to figure out which way it's supposed to go.  I think it's supposed to press the dryer to the fender.

[sharpxmen]

OK, they sent me the universal with the metal strap.  I need to figure out which way it's supposed to go.  I think it's supposed to press the dryer to the fender.

did you get it from Jeepair as well? somehow i remember that your hoses were not crimped and now the dryer is different - was your kit another part number? (or maybe it wasn't Jeepair and i remember wrong).

[Jeffy]

did you get it from Jeepair as well? somehow i remember that your hoses were not crimped and now the dryer is different - was your kit another part number? (or maybe it wasn't Jeepair and i remember wrong).

I bought my kit from Jeepair back in Oct of last year.

[DanMarino]

The new AC system on the Jeep is ineffective when it is 103 degrees outside.  It works well up to about 95 degrees.  When stopped a traffic lights the temperature of air blowing gets warmer.  It seems to do much better when moving along at 40 mph or more though. 

I did notice the compressor short cycling off and on when it was not performing well in the 103 degrees.  I wonder what causes that to happen?

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[chrisfranklin]

I know there's http://autorefrigerants.com/.  For DC area summer heat, I'd probably consider charging the system with (iirc)  ES-12A

[Jeffy]

The new AC system on the Jeep is ineffective when it is 103 degrees outside.  It works well up to about 95 degrees.  When stopped a traffic lights the temperature of air blowing gets warmer.  It seems to do much better when moving along at 40 mph or more though. 

I did notice the compressor short cycling off and on when it was not performing well in the 103 degrees.  I wonder what causes that to happen?

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Hmm, I don't think the compressor is supposed to cycle.  The only thing that turns it off would be low pressure at the dryer.  I also wonder if the stock fan is really able to pull enough air though the radiator and condenser.  That would explain why it works better when moving.  When you're moving the Jeep shouldn't really need the fan at all.  Is the Jeep overheating?  Maybe your fan clutch is bad.  So a spin check on the fan.

[aw12345]

AC systems like air moving across the condensor, sitting at a light idling probably spikes the pressure and most likely it has a high pressure switch that cuts out the clutch when the pressure gets to high. an electric fan wired in to the ac wiring will help best way is to either run it when ever the ac is on. Or get fancy and plumb a pressure switch in so when the pressure goes high it kicks the fan on

[DanMarino]

I'm not sure how to check the clutch fan attached to the water pump.

The pressure switch sensing high pressure sounds logical.  It is only short cycling on very hot conditions.  Early morning, reasonably hot days, or evenings I'm getting frozen out in this thing and the compressor is not short cycling.

My Volvo 240 has an electric fan that comes on whenever the AC is turned on. 

Since I installed a brand new water pump, thermostat, and radiator when I installed the AC system, the Jeep is not overheating.

I'll have to go to the junkyard and look into an electric fan I guess.  Any suggestions for a donor vehicle that would have a fan that might fit well?  Is the idea to remove the clutch fan and install an electric one only?

[Jeffy]

I'm not sure how to check the clutch fan attached to the water pump.

The pressure switch sensing high pressure sounds logical.  It is only short cycling on very hot conditions.  Early morning, reasonably hot days, or evenings I'm getting frozen out in this thing and the compressor is not short cycling.

My Volvo 240 has an electric fan that comes on whenever the AC is turned on. 

Since I installed a brand new water pump, thermostat, and radiator when I installed the AC system, the Jeep is not overheating.

I'll have to go to the junkyard and look into an electric fan I guess.  Any suggestions for a donor vehicle that would have a fan that might fit well?  Is the idea to remove the clutch fan and install an electric one only?

Spin the fan by hand.  Does it spin?  It shouldn't be locked up nor should it speed freely.  There should be some resistance which will let the fan rotate maybe 1/4 turn at most.

Have you considered emailing Joe/Jeepair and ask his opinion?  He's been great helping me sort out my mess.

If you want to get a salvaged fan check out the Lincoln MKVIII fan.  These are nice and big.  Make sure to get a two-speed fan.  These fans are overkill even on lo-speed.  I know the stock fan is adequate but it wasn't designed to be used with AC.  The 2.5L's fan is smaller then the 4.0L's.

[DanMarino]

Jeffy, is the fan on the right from a 4.0 or from a Lincoln?

Maybe I can hit the junkyard this Saturday?

[Jeffy]

Jeffy, is the fan on the right from a 4.0 or from a Lincoln?

Maybe I can hit the junkyard this Saturday?

No that's a 4.0L fan.  Do a search on Taurus or Lincoln MK VII fan.  There are a few od us running them.