What genious built the evaporator under the dash!

[96ToyoCam164K]

I am so over it. This is the 2nd time I'm having to replace my evaporator in under 2 years. The original one exploded a week after I bought the car, and now this one has a large leak in it. And everytime they have to take the dash off. Just today I ended up having to pay 160 for them to look at it.

Im suspicious about it, but cant really say 1 way or another. That evaporator was new I believe when I had it put in. But all the mechanics I took it to said that its the evaporator, and I was finally able to 'coax' one into going thru the effort of removing the dash today. Most of them seemed to lazy to want to do it (including myself, but its cause I dont have the tools to work on A/C, and didnt want to end up getting stuck mid-way cause cant just put it back together!)

What do y'all think about this? Does it sound fishy that the evaporator would go out so soon? I was almost skeptical if they even took the dash off, but I seen a few scrapes and certain pieces were loose so Im thinking they did...

Mind you, I had to have them put it all back together cause I couldn't afford the evaporator today

[96ToyoCam164K]

Not trying to bump this one, but meant to add that the evaporator was not a Toyota part, but apparently came from some local warehouse that sells things like radiators, evap, condensor, etc.

The guy today told me he'd also order from one of those places. Its a large warehouse that has name brand parts. But Im like, I dont really want to get another one from 'some warehouse' only to have this happening again. However, the compressor I had replaced at the same time, is working fine and its re-built. Think I put like 25-30,000 miles on it.

[KiDGiB]

When you say large leak. Do you mean there is water dripping onto the ground, under your vehicle?
http://www.familycar.com/ac1.htm#EVAPORATOR

[chronoti]

you dont need to remove the dash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you remove the glove box
ecu
blower motor (you may have to remove the air bag i busted my hands with a ratching wench to remove 1 bolt)
air shield (like 4 screws)
unhook the line through the firewall (from under the hood)
and then the core will slide out
do what you need
reverse

maybe 2~3 hours instead of the alldata hours of 8 just for dash removal and install

all tools you need? 10mm socket, few extensions, hex bits, phlilips head screw driver then take it to a local shop to do the vacuum and maybe recharge

also always replace your receiver/dryer when you open the system

[96ToyoCam164K]

Well, perhaps they didnt have to remove the entire dash then. I just recall the 1st time at another shop, I took a peak and the entire inside front was removed. It took them from 9am to 7 pm to do it. And I waited the entire time. Best believe I was fuming!

I really wanted to do this myself, but I couldn't find proper diagrams on removing it. I even got a Chilton's manual but it said, "due to regulations on A/C repairs, that will not be covered in this book". I also check **********s, but had a hard time understanding their diagrams. The best ones are the picture threads on here...

No, its not a water leak. Its a refrigerant leak. I paid 45 for freon last month, and as they were putting it in, it turned to vapor and was coming from under the dashboard both inside and out. They gave me a discount since it would not hold it

And dammit, I just changed that drier last year! Also, what do I need to do about oil? Do I add that directly to the evaporator and drier?

So far, I've spent 200 to have no A/C. Its so upsetting. The guy today said he wont charge me for labor next time though, just the evaporator.

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by KiDGiB

When you say large leak. Do you mean there is water dripping onto the ground, under your vehicle?
http://www.familycar.com/ac1.htm#EVAPORATOR

thanks for the link...gives me some peace of mind!

[chronoti]

i add it to just the dryer but most shops/cans will add the gas via the charge

it listed as an 6 hour job to remove the dash but most likely you had an leak at the expansion valve inlet o-ring my car guy normally puts 2 o-rings there so far mine been holding

shops never want to say only an o-ring is leaking because there no enough money involved

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by chronoti

i add it to just the dryer but most shops/cans will add the gas via the charge

it listed as an 6 hour job to remove the dash but most likely you had an leak at the expansion valve inlet o-ring my car guy normally puts 2 o-rings there so far mine been holding

shops never want to say only an o-ring is leaking because there no enough money involved

well he was telling me prior that it could have just been an O-ring, and if so they would just replace it and I'd just pay for the labor.

Im still suspicious about it being the evaporator, being as new as it was. but I hate arguing with mechanics....and A/C has been the only issue that I always end up fussing with mechanics about not doing properly.

[73sport]

Unless your cat, dog, mouse, rat, pee'd on it, it should be fine but there are some corrosion's that can't be stopped. Those listed are some!
A reason for core #2 going bad would be foam saturated with urine COULD attack a new aluminum core and put you where you are.

It's most likely the o'ring unless you had/have friends living in the car!

[73sport]

Originally Posted by chronoti

i add it to just the dryer but most shops/cans will add the gas via the charge

You ever pull the oil out of these with that dryer change? If so, how? Mine blows cold at 38deg F but its past due for maintanance.

[chronoti]

really if it's cold dont touch it, the sealed system will work till the end of the universe untill either a leak comes along or you overheated the gas ..... on a ford (teflon coating on the compressor would kill it self when gotten too hot)

[73sport]

^ Its a catch 22. Damned if ya do and damned if ya don't.
It has a little noise from the compressor. I doubt an oil change would save it anyway. Just hate to have it self destruct and contaminate the sys. . .