Anyone to Replace Evaporator Core?
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
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Anyone to Replace Evaporator Core?
Hi, I've been told that my evaporator core is leaking based on some halogen sniffer measurements out of the cabin vents. I've read some things about how difficult it is to replace. The shop quoted me $2.5k for the job, which I'm not going to do. I've been thinking about doing it myself, but figured I'd check here to see if anyone in the northern VA area has experience, is able to do it, or knows of a spot that won't charge an arm or a leg for it. Thanks.
1998 C5
1998 C5
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Orlando Florida
A gentleman by the name of Denis Ory shows the extent of the task in a 1+ hour youtube video. It's an interesting watch. It looks to be a very tedious task, with a lot more of the car coming apart than I would have guessed:
Having trouble finding it now, but Bill Curlee has a thread showing virtually all of the components involved in clear photos. As a final add, I will note that pulling the dash, while indeed tedious, is really only complicated the first time. If I have to do this level of dash work at some point in the future, I will be sure to take many photos, and have a large box of zip locks for bagging, with an associated box of Sharpies for labeling those zip locks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
HOLY FRIGGEN SMOKES! 
The mechanical in and out of the parts is not that difficult!
That job is NOT that difficult! YES, you can do it yourself.
If you dont do system vacuuming & recharging, Just take it to an AC shop!
NOTE, I would replace the receiver/drier and the metering tube and service the Schrader valve with new cores while the system os depressurized . Make sure that you add the required amount of PAG Oil into the system for each new part.
If you need info on getting the core out, let us know.
BC
The mechanical in and out of the parts is not that difficult!That job is NOT that difficult! YES, you can do it yourself.
If you dont do system vacuuming & recharging, Just take it to an AC shop!
NOTE, I would replace the receiver/drier and the metering tube and service the Schrader valve with new cores while the system os depressurized . Make sure that you add the required amount of PAG Oil into the system for each new part.
If you need info on getting the core out, let us know.
BC
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
HOLY FRIGGEN SMOKES! The mechanical in and out of the parts is not that difficult!
That job is NOT that difficult! YES, you can do it yourself.
If you dont do system vacuuming & recharging, Just take it to an AC shop!
NOTE, I would replace the receiver/drier and the metering tube and service the Schrader valve with new cores while the system os depressurized . Make sure that you add the required amount of PAG Oil into the system for each new part.
If you need info on getting the core out, let us know.
BC
The mechanical in and out of the parts is not that difficult!That job is NOT that difficult! YES, you can do it yourself.
If you dont do system vacuuming & recharging, Just take it to an AC shop!
NOTE, I would replace the receiver/drier and the metering tube and service the Schrader valve with new cores while the system os depressurized . Make sure that you add the required amount of PAG Oil into the system for each new part.
If you need info on getting the core out, let us know.
BC
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 123
From: Ozark Alabama
I just did an evaporator and a heater core. Had several non OEM parts from rockauto (no customer service at all) that were damaged or just wrong. I ended up with the OEM parts from rockauto before it was all over, so I would use OEM parts. Rockauto did refund the parts that didn't fit but you have to pay return shipping and it takes forever.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 262
Likes: 62
From: Virginia
Part of knowing how to do something is knowing when not to do it. I quickly reviewed the process, and it looks like most of the dash and half the engine compartment has to be removed and reinstalled. Maybe there are some shortcuts, but this looks like days of tedious work. And there will be no warranty when you're finished - if you even accomplish the task.
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Last edited by grinder11; Jul 16, 2023 at 07:02 PM.
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From: Orlando Florida
Burning Brakes
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From: Kensington MD
A gentleman by the name of Denis Ory shows the extent of the task in a 1+ hour youtube video. It's an interesting watch. It looks to be a very tedious task, with a lot more of the car coming apart than I would have guessed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0BStrq46tg
Having trouble finding it now, but Bill Curlee has a thread showing virtually all of the components involved in clear photos. As a final add, I will note that pulling the dash, while indeed tedious, is really only complicated the first time. If I have to do this level of dash work at some point in the future, I will be sure to take many photos, and have a large box of zip locks for bagging, with an associated box of Sharpies for labeling those zip locks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0BStrq46tg
Having trouble finding it now, but Bill Curlee has a thread showing virtually all of the components involved in clear photos. As a final add, I will note that pulling the dash, while indeed tedious, is really only complicated the first time. If I have to do this level of dash work at some point in the future, I will be sure to take many photos, and have a large box of zip locks for bagging, with an associated box of Sharpies for labeling those zip locks.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 935
From: Orlando Florida