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Just bought my first wrangler; then something went wrong. need advice

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  Shelby427 
#1 ·
Hi There!

Just purchased a 2003 Wrangler Sahara from a used car lot in Dallas. Looked good on the outside, had a Jeep dealer's service center look at it closer; mechanically and such. They told me that aside from needing the rear main seal fixed, a couple other things, it was good to go.

Today, two days later, I am sitting in traffic and a very loud noise comes from the engine. Sounded like a large truck purging its air brakes. After getting home, I opened the hood and found what I think it the problem.

On the passenger side of the engine compartment, very close to the backside wall of the compartment, there was a tube separated from another tube. Looked like bright yellow fluid had sprayed inside the engine compartment (from pressure). See the photos.

Looking for a little confirmation on what this is. I am sure someone can tell me that its not suppose to be serrated like that. And if anybody has any idea how much it will cost to fix, that'd be cool too. Also, advice on handling the Jeep dealer and the used car dealer? Literally bought this thing 2 days ago...

Thanks in advance!

imgur: the simple image sharer

imgur: the simple image sharer



 
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#3 ·
Yes, it is an A.C. hose. Take it back to the used car dealer and see about getting them to fix it. It is not the Jeep dealer that inspected its fault as something like that can not be foreseen. Those hoses should not just pop off like that unless they are installed incorrectly and damaged at some point. The AC system will need to be serviced to get back to working condition.
 
#6 ·
Yes, okay to drive. The system already has run dry but as mentioned above, the pressure switch should keep the compressor from coming on. I recommend you push the hose back together so the system does not become (more) contaminated. Then show them the picture you shared here when you take it in.
 
#8 ·
Looks like the retainer for the low pressure line let go. All it is is a coiled spring inside the large ring on the one hose end. The other line, part of the evaporator, slips into the first hose and the spring expands to slip over the flared end of the second line, then snaps back into place to lock the two together.

Either the spring or it's housing failed, or the end on the evaporator was damaged, or someone had it apart and didn't get the two lines fully connected.

The low pressure line if it's like our 97 contains the orifice tube (not serviceable) so it could be it had some a/c work done and to replace the orifice they replaced the line.

Make sure they check both the hose end, spring connector, and evaporator line for damage. And they have to replace the dryer (silver canister below the hoses), and of course evacuate/ recharge the system. The dryer as it's name states removes moisture from the system. It's a must replace once the system has been left open like yours has.

And yes the yellow color is most likely ultraviolet dye used to trace leaks. Another sign someone's been working on the system.

Have it checked for a leak elsewhere, evaporators are not uncommon. If you have to replace the evaporator replace the heater core while you're in there. It's not a job you want to do twice.
 
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