Evaporator / Heater core replacement

C

Cezar

Member
I want to embark upon this project shortly. The evaporator finally gave up last year and I've been without AC since. I want to gather some info. Questions:

- Where do I find the most long-lasting evap / heater core parts? I never want to do this job again.
- I also have some blend door issues I want to resolve. Recirc no longer works and I have uneven air coming out of the vents. Should I replace every actuator? How many are there? Are they all identical?
- Any other parts I should be replacing while I'm in there?
- Does anyone have a basic outline of the steps involved? I can consult the shop manual for sub-tasks but a general outline would be really helpful.
- Is there a recent DIY anyone has put together?
- Any specialty tools I will need? I already have manifold gauges and a vacuum pump and all basic hand tools.
 
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Just had my mechanic perform this repair on my 2006 a few weeks ago. He installed a Four Seasons brand evaporator because he said it had a lifetime warranty. I'm having what I would consider wild fluctuations in AC temp and I'm wondering if these are normal, or if it could be due to the brand of evaporator he installed. AC vent temp jumps between 44-50. Not trying to hijack your thread, but if anyone has input on what I'm experiencing, perhaps it could save you some problems (if I'm actually having any problems).
 
Sounds like either the refrigerant is low or high or a blend door issue. Check the pressures..

As far as a lifetime warranty on the evaporator-- I could care less about that. By the time I need it I've already lost.
 
Drcoffee said:
I have used this fix on other toyota / Lexus cars actuators and it works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9S5B1Dn3j4&feature=youtu.be
Click to expand...

Holy crap those are expensive. I figured they would be like $50. I'll be trying this.

y=mx+b said:
Theres some good pics and info on Evap core replacement from [MENTION=168229]TheHennDoggg[/MENTION] here:

Solo Evap Core Replacement- DONE! Pics and Info
Click to expand...

This actually looks downright easy. What is it missing that is going to bite me?
 
Cezar said:
Holy crap those are expensive. I figured they would be like $50. I'll be trying this.



This actually looks downright easy. What is it missing that is going to bite me?
Click to expand...

It's not too bad of a job, just time consuming. One tool I wish I would have had at the time was an cordless ratchet (with a swivel and some extensions) as that would speed up the time considerably just to be able to zip off all the bolts.

Use cardboard and stick the bolts into it or use sandwich bags and label as this will help with the reinstall. I probably used about 20-30 bags to make sure everything went back where it went.

Grab an OEM heater core, it lasted over 200k miles and who knows how many engine hours at idle.
 
Last edited:
Cezar said:
I want to embark upon this project shortly. The evaporator finally gave up last year and I've been without AC since. I want to gather some info. Questions:

- Where do I find the most long-lasting evap / heater core parts? I never want to do this job again.
- I also have some blend door issues I want to resolve. Recirc no longer works and I have uneven air coming out of the vents. Should I replace every actuator? How many are there? Are they all identical?
- Any other parts I should be replacing while I'm in there?
- Does anyone have a basic outline of the steps involved? I can consult the shop manual for sub-tasks but a general outline would be really helpful.
- Is there a recent DIY anyone has put together?
- Any specialty tools I will need? I already have manifold gauges and a vacuum pump and all basic hand tools.
Click to expand...

Denso 476-0040 A/C Evaporator Core Amazon.com: Denso 476-0040 A/C Evaporator Core: Automotive
 
Stackman1 said:
Just had my mechanic perform this repair on my 2006 a few weeks ago. He installed a Four Seasons brand evaporator because he said it had a lifetime warranty. I'm having what I would consider wild fluctuations in AC temp and I'm wondering if these are normal, or if it could be due to the brand of evaporator he installed. AC vent temp jumps between 44-50. Not trying to hijack your thread, but if anyone has input on what I'm experiencing, perhaps it could save you some problems (if I'm actually having any problems).
Click to expand...

Pretty sure what you have is a bad thermistor. It's mounts in the evaporator and basically cycles the compressor off to prevent the evaporator from freezing up. They go bad and cycle out at too high of a temp and keep it off too long. I had the same problem and it made a huge difference when I replaced it. It's kind of a pain to replace but it can be done without removing the dash or the evaporator. The thread I'm linking below will give you more information. Especially post #15. Oh, and be careful about the part number. It's different between year models. And it's one of those rare items that you can actually get from the dealer as cheap as or cheaper than on the net.
AC cycling on and off, hot and cold
 
importman said:
Pretty sure what you have is a bad thermistor. It's mounts in the evaporator and basically cycles the compressor off to prevent the evaporator from freezing up. They go bad and cycle out at too high of a temp and keep it off too long. I had the same problem and it made a huge difference when I replaced it. It's kind of a pain to replace but it can be done without removing the dash or the evaporator. The thread I'm linking below will give you more information. Especially post #15. Oh, and be careful about the part number. It's different between year models. And it's one of those rare items that you can actually get from the dealer as cheap as or cheaper than on the net.
AC cycling on and off, hot and cold
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info and link!! I'll will pass this along when I have it evaluated.
 
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