98 Exploder. Line leaking from Accumulator? Serious?

[Senor_Taylor]

So, a buddy of mine asked me to come look at his 98 V6 (Not sure if it was the SOHC or not) Explorer like 5 minutes ago in the dark frozen tundra that is Harrisonburg. He said something was leaking but didn't know what it was. I looked under and there was some liquid, it didn't have a smell, so I ruled out the usual. I popped the hood and looked and saw that a line coming from the accumulator, or whatever it's called, was wet. I peeled back the plastic hose thing from it and there was a nice pool of liquid in there.

Now, I assumed it was refrigerant. I know nothing of HVAC, so I just assumed. He has no money and it's winter so I said if that's what it is, it's nothing that'll strand him on the side of the road. He just won't blow cold air. Then I remembered that I'm pretty sure refrigerant evaporates, right? So maybe that's not it... Well, it has also come to my attention that that may very well be compressor oil... I think. Which would be a much more serious issue. I don't want the pulley to seize and make him throw a belt.

What do you guys think? I'll post a picture I googled and circled the line on.

[Jake]

Can't remember those 4.0's... Is it one serp belt for everything, or does the AC run separately?

[Senor_Taylor]

Can't remember those 4.0's... Is it one serp belt for everything, or does the AC run separately?

Didn't look. I literally looked at nothing but the line. I would hope there's an accessory belt ran just for that and maybe the power steering or something.

[NTIman]

Usually what you see is the oil.

It's likely not too serious of a problem, but just in case, just unplug the compressor clutch until he can get the issue looked at/rectified. That will keep the compressor from seizing and you don't have to remove the belt.

[Senor_Taylor]

Usually what you see is the oil.

It's likely not too serious of a problem, but just in case, just unplug the compressor clutch until he can get the issue looked at/rectified. That will keep the compressor from seizing and you don't have to remove the belt.

... and how do I do that?

[CaptainHenreh]

Usually what you see is the oil.

It's likely not too serious of a problem, but just in case, just unplug the compressor clutch until he can get the issue looked at/rectified. That will keep the compressor from seizing and you don't have to remove the belt.

... and how do I do that?

Find wires attached to compressor, unplug them.

[NTIman]

Find wires attached to compressor, unplug them.

This. Should be one connector with two wires on the compressor. Unplug the connector, feel like a boss.

[Senor_Taylor]

Okay, thanks! Just wanted to make sure before I did something stupid.