2006 Evaporator

[turftech]

Hey guys, first post, so Hello to all.

I got a price on replacing my evaporator on my 06. for $1600. I figure this is a large labor project with a minimum of special tools or equipment.

I've already ordered the evaporator and drier and also the expansion valve... all Denso and available on Amazon. $160.00

I have consulted the manual regarding the dash removal and have familiarized myself with the overall breakdown.

That being said I do know every time I try something new I can always do it better (and faster) the second time around.

I see they are suggesting a special tool to release the clamp on the steel supply lines at the firewall. Any suggestions on improvising. I've seen alternative tools with 2 simple prongs indicating similar function. Anybody?

Any enlightenment on this project would be greatly appreciated. I have worked as a mechanic for many years but largely on outdoor power equipment in the turf industry and some marine work. My experience with auto's is largely from the era all prior to SRS, TPMS, ECU's, etc. Not exactly stone wheels but early 70's would be an apt time frame. I have been haunted by interior work in general but I'm figuring even if this takes me 20 hours to complete I'm saving $50.00 an hour not counting the hairs I scratch out.

If anybody has a suggestions, encouragement, or otherwise please don't hesitate!

Thanks in advance. :cheers:

 

[Davy180]

I wish I could offer more assistance but I don't have any experience taking out my 4Runner dash. I have worked on cars for many years and have done this on other vehicles and it's never a fun experience. If you have the time it's definitely worth saving the money. All I can say is take your time and mark where the bolts/ screws came from. Sometimes on long projects it's hard to remember where you took things out at especially when there is a lot of them. If something doesn't come out easily most likely something else is holding it in place.

Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

 

[nevada]

Hey guys, first post, so Hello to all.

I got a price on replacing my evaporator on my 06. for $1600. I figure this is a large labor project with a minimum of special tools or equipment.

I've already ordered the evaporator and drier and also the expansion valve... all Denso and available on Amazon. $160.00

I have consulted the manual regarding the dash removal and have familiarized myself with the overall breakdown.

That being said I do know every time I try something new I can always do it better (and faster) the second time around.

I see they are suggesting a special tool to release the clamp on the steel supply lines at the firewall. Any suggestions on improvising. I've seen alternative tools with 2 simple prongs indicating similar function. Anybody?

Any enlightenment on this project would be greatly appreciated. I have worked as a mechanic for many years but largely on outdoor power equipment in the turf industry and some marine work. My experience with auto's is largely from the era all prior to SRS, TPMS, ECU's, etc. Not exactly stone wheels but early 70's would be an apt time frame. I have been haunted by interior work in general but I'm figuring even if this takes me 20 hours to complete I'm saving $50.00 an hour not counting the hairs I scratch out.

If anybody has a suggestions, encouragement, or otherwise please don't hesitate!

Thanks in advance. :cheers:

I expect I will be doing the same thing before too long. I just had my system recharged because it wasn't working well. it was down to about 12oz, yet it worked great 2 years ago. I suspect the dealer knew, and recharged it before I bought it.

 

[preacher35]

[MENTION=111799]turftech[/MENTION],

Is your dash cracked?? If so, you probably qualify for the Toyota WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZE6 CSP in which Toyota will replace your cracked dash, free of charge. Several people, here on T4R.org are taking advantage of this to have their evaps replaced at the same time to save a ton of $$. Just thought I would mention it. Good luck!

 

[turftech]

[MENTION=111799]turftech[/MENTION],

Is your dash cracked?? If so, you probably qualify for the Toyota WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZE6 CSP in which Toyota will replace your cracked dash, free of charge. Several people, here on T4R.org are taking advantage of this to have their evaps replaced at the same time to save a ton of $$. Just thought I would mention it. Good luck!

Fact is I was on my way up to HF to buy a vacuum and I figured I'd stop by Toyota dealer for their estimate of charges. The SA was more than willing to extend this service to me and the total cost would get me down to the 1,000 area which seems reasonable to me.

Thanks for the heads up... I was really pleasantly surprised by all this goodwill. I think the only fly in the ointment is he has no dashboards available and will not commit to exactly the time frame. Me, I'm patient enough to wait.

Again, appreciate the heads up. :thumb:

 

[nevada]

@turftech,

Is your dash cracked?? If so, you probably qualify for the Toyota WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM ZE6 CSP in which Toyota will replace your cracked dash, free of charge. Several people, here on T4R.org are taking advantage of this to have their evaps replaced at the same time to save a ton of $$. Just thought I would mention it. Good luck!

I thought that didn't extend to the 06. wasn't it just for the 03-04?

I will have to check that thread again.


edit: it looks likes its for 03-05. unless something has changed.

 

[turftech]

I read the details and wondered this myself. It does in fact state only 03-05.

I might be back on my way to HF to buy the vacuum!

Still curious about the clamp tool though, or an alternative. I found this on Amazon.

 

[acronin2]

Fact is I was on my way up to HF to buy a vacuum and I figured I'd stop by Toyota dealer for their estimate of charges. The SA was more than willing to extend this service to me and the total cost would get me down to the 1,000 area which seems reasonable to me.

Thanks for the heads up... I was really pleasantly surprised by all this goodwill. I think the only fly in the ointment is he has no dashboards available and will not commit to exactly the time frame. Me, I'm patient enough to wait.

Again, appreciate the heads up. :thumb:

Was $1000 the total cost to have the evaporator replaced while they were replacing the dash?

 

[turftech]

Yes, new valve, drier insert, evaporator core.. he said I'd be out the door with a new dash/ac repair for 1,000.00 which is what I thought was reasonable in the first place. Toyota a/c parts are in the $400.00 area.

Anybody who is considering this as a project the 3 Denso parts are all available from Amazon for $160.00 delivered.

I had already decided I was doing it myself when the dashboard information came up... but the fact remains I might still be doing it pending a phone call.

 

[turftech]

OK, follow up. Determining mine was a 2006 and not a candidate for dash I figured I get a repair quote. Dealer quoted $1235. out the door. I had already purchased all OEM Denso evap core, expansion valve, and drier insert so I posed the question of using my parts. SA came back with $755.00 plus shop supplies and tax. I was out the door for $855.00 with the caveat of parts warranty would be my issue which I felt was reasonable. Pull vacuum during install for 20 minutes should uncover anything immediate in terms if install or new parts failure.

Anyway, it's done and I'm here to report the SA was a pleasure to deal with. He did everything I requested and was easy to deal with. The only other time I drove off a dealer lot smiling was a new Tacoma purchase.

OK, here's my former ride back as a kid. 1962 model... featuring easy swap Super Hurricane stock 6 cylinder with motor mounts and linkage set for 283... swap out in 90 minutes drinking coffee. 2 sets of wheels and tire 16.5 stock mud/snow and 15" Ford rims for summer use. Picture circa 1972 or so.

 

[vando45]

Wife's '06 4Runner is in the shop right now getting the evaporator replaced. SA quoted me just under $1,000. 183,000 miles.

 

[katsuG]

Resurrecting this thread since I can't post a new one yet...anyways I noticed my a/c was beginning to get warm on my 2008 T4R. A few days later, the driver side vents only blew warm air while the passenger side would still blow fairly cold. I took it to an a/c shop and they said it was the evaporator...$1600 for repair or $1100-$1200 if they do an incision to get to the evaporator instead of removing everything. I just picked up this 4Runner about a month ago with 100K miles on it.

Do you guys think this is a fair price? Also anyone go with the incision route before? The shop I went to said it's a common thing when 4Runner's come in for a/c repair, and most people go with the cheaper incision route...something about where they cut out to get to the evaporator and glue it back and seal it...and they cover it so it can't be seen. This shop got 5 star reviews on Yelp so I trusted them, but I plan to get a few more estimates.