Evaporator replacement
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 63
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From: Birmingham Alabama
Evaporator replacement
My A/C developed a slow leak. Once I figured out it was leaking and my a/c was low in freon, I had the chevy dealership charge it and put die in the system. I drove from Tuscaloosa to Austin with 40degree air coming out the dash. Got up the next day and the dash air smells of freon and isn't cold. Now the compressor doesn't even turn on. My tought was that there are only hard lines and the evaporator in the plastic box protruding into the engine bay, so if U smell it inside with the a/c blower on, the leak must be in the evaporator itself. Is this a save assumption and how do I change out the evaporator. I'm getting my opti replaced now for $800, so either I live without A/C or fix it myself.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 10
From: Irvine CA
With low/no freon the compressor will not operate. The freon contains a lubricant for the compressor. The system protects you from running without lubricant.
My A/C system was leaking and I took it to my trusted local A/C place to have it worked on. The diagnosis was leaking evaporator. An evaporator leak is found by turning off the fans and checking the vents for a build up of freon.
The part was about $200. Total bill was about $700. There is significant labor involved. It only took him a couple of hours to do the job. I guess you can do it yourself.
I had the job done last year. This summer I was out of freon again. I took it back to my guy and he fixed it free. Said it was a bad O-ring. So far so good.
Good luck.
My A/C system was leaking and I took it to my trusted local A/C place to have it worked on. The diagnosis was leaking evaporator. An evaporator leak is found by turning off the fans and checking the vents for a build up of freon.
The part was about $200. Total bill was about $700. There is significant labor involved. It only took him a couple of hours to do the job. I guess you can do it yourself.
I had the job done last year. This summer I was out of freon again. I took it back to my guy and he fixed it free. Said it was a bad O-ring. So far so good.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham Alabama
The freon definitely built up in the dash vents,we makes me believe its the evaporator that leaked. I'm assuming the evaporator is alot easier to take out then then heater core. So my question to the forum is do I have to remove anything from inside the cabin to replace the evaporator?
