Evaporator Replacement

[r.lionel]

Hello everyone! I'm trying to get out of removing the bar and all the wiring. I wanting to find someone on here who's done this before and can confirm I can and possibly how to slip the air conditioning assembly underneath this bar and wiring. I've got the service manual and it tells you to remove both bar and wiring and of course I'd prefer not.

Thank y'all for any help and words of encouragement. I look forward to getting this accomplished, hopefully, this weekend.

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[eleven14]

Hello everyone! I'm trying to get out of removing the bar and all the wiring. I wanting to find someone on here who's done this before and can confirm I can and possibly how to slip the air conditioning assembly underneath this bar and wiring. I've got the service manual and it tells you to remove both bar and wiring and of course I'd prefer not.

Thank y'all for any help and words of encouragement. I look forward to getting this accomplished, hopefully, this weekend.

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I haven't done it yet but plan to soon. That said, my research indicates that you can loosen the bolts on the bar to give yourself enough room to wiggle the unit out.

<a href="https://imgur.com/FGnooHK"><img src="https://imgur.com/FGnooHKl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Hope that helps. Any issues getting it torn down?

 

[FordF150]

Got my 2005 4runner evaporator replaced two days ago and its cooling freezing great. I brought it to a AC shop for the job and it was $800 for labor - but worth it.

I had to bring them the evaporator I purchased for $90 off Amazon - a perfect fit.

UPDATE: Still freezing cold after 90 days.

Glad I didn't tackle this job myself. I don't have the patience or know-how".

 

[r.lionel]

I haven't done it yet but plan to soon. That said, my research indicates that you can loosen the bolts on the bar to give yourself enough room to wiggle the unit out.

<a href="https://imgur.com/FGnooHK"><img src="https://imgur.com/FGnooHKl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>

Hope that helps. Any issues getting it torn down?

Thank you so much for your input.

Regarding your question on whether I had any trouble tearing it down, not really. I followed that one 4runner teardown video you'll find on youtube titled "2006 Toyota 4 Runner Dash Removal". I slowed it down and have watched it MANY times. Thinking back, the two times I had trouble was how the instrument cluster released, and then the last two bolts that were holding on the dashboard.

I'm going to include pics of each. I have documented the heck out of this process. I'm going to make my own youtube how to when this is done.

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[r.lionel]

Got my 2005 4runner evaporator replaced two days ago and its cooling freezing great. I brought it to a AC shop for the job and it was $800 for labor - but worth it.



I had to bring them the evaporator I purchased for $90 off Amazon - a perfect fit.

That's a heck of a deal there. I'd have paid that, but too late now!

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[eleven14]

Thank you so much for your input.

Regarding your question on whether I had any trouble tearing it down, not really. I followed that one 4runner teardown video you'll find on youtube titled "2006 Toyota 4 Runner Dash Removal". I slowed it down and have watched it MANY times. Thinking back, the two times I had trouble was how the instrument cluster released, and then the last two bolts that were holding on the dashboard.

I'm going to include pics of each. I have documented the heck out of this process. I'm going to make my own youtube how to when this is done.

Awesome, looking forward to having another source of documentation to reference when I dig in shortly. Also, here's the writeup that image originated from, though it looks like you're almost there.

Nice work!

 

[r.lionel]

I might as well post two more pics of what I'm looking at at this point. The only thing that has really made me nervous was the disconnecting and the laying down of the steering column. When you disconnect it it just feels like it's not connected to anything and there's a chance that steering wheel isn't going to work anymore. I've never done car work that is quite this in-depth so I'm coming from a place of ignorance.I'm not a huge grease monkey, but I can sure follow instructions and tear things apart and usually be able to put them back together. This will definitely test my ability!

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[r.lionel]

I need some advice on removing these heater core hoses. This top hose doesn't feel like I could get it off without cutting it. It feels like it's stuck on there over 2 inches probably. I looked up some videos on removing hoses and one said to poke a flat head under it and spray WD40, well I don't have much room to work with with the firewall right there. Another video said to just go to twisting with some pliers or a pipe wrench. I twisted on it some but I'm trying not to tear anything up at the same time.

Does anybody have any advice on getting this thing off? I would sure appreciate it. Thank you!

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[AuSeeker]

If you're replacing the heater core the only damage you can do is to the old heater core nipples, so I would do the pliers twisting while pulling on the hose, if you're trying to not damage the heater core then I would go with cutting the hose length wise as little as possible to allow the hose to expand enough to release it's grip on the nipple and hopefully there's will still enough hose left to reuse them, but I would choose to go with new heater hoses either way, after so many years they're bound to be hardened and dried out.

That all being said I highly recommend replacing the heater core because for the price of a new one it's should be done, if the old core starts leaking after you put it all back together you have to do all of this work again to replace the core making it well worth the price of the new core!

 

[FordF150]

I had the evaporator core replaced in my 2005 last week. The labor cost was $800. I supplied the part ($90 at Amazon).
Nice and cool again as we come into the summer here in the Bahamas
150,000 miles on the runner and she starts up and runs like new.
3 starters along the way - but AMs are cheap at $100.
The AM starter in there now has a lifetime warranty!

Two years previous the AC compressor was replaced at Amazon for $200.

things fail in a 15-year-old 4runner.

UPDATE: Weeks later: AC cool like ice now. Worth it to take to professionals.

 

[eleven14]

I need some advice on removing these heater core hoses. This top hose doesn't feel like I could get it off without cutting it. It feels like it's stuck on there over 2 inches probably. I looked up some videos on removing hoses and one said to poke a flat head under it and spray WD40, well I don't have much room to work with with the firewall right there. Another video said to just go to twisting with some pliers or a pipe wrench. I twisted on it some but I'm trying not to tear anything up at the same time.

Does anybody have any advice on getting this thing off? I would sure appreciate it. Thank you!

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FSM simply says "Using pliers, grip the claws of the clip and slide the
clip and disconnect the heater water outlet hose A
(from the heater unit)."

 

[r.lionel]

FSM simply says "Using pliers, grip the claws of the clip and slide the

clip and disconnect the heater water outlet hose A

(from the heater unit)."

It took a lot of twisting, but I finally got them to come off. I deformed the bottom one a little, I'm hoping it's not going to be an issue, I really don't think it should.

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[r.lionel]

Holy cow that took a lot of effort!

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[BostonJon]

I took on the heater core replacement on my third gen as well as two grabs cherokees I’ve had in the past. The job sucks 100% but it’s more about staying organized than anything else. It’s not complicated, just incredibly tedious

 

[eleven14]

Holy cow that took a lot of effort!

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... soooo did you survive this? Any nuggets of wisdom to pass along?

 

[FordF150]

i'VE hAD THREE EVAPORE CORES IN MY 2005 v6 150,000 MILES 4RUNNER. oem LAST 4 YEARS - dealer replace with one I supplied that lasted 9 years.

Just replaced a new one at a top shop for $800. I supplied the evap for $90.

I got 75000 miles on each evaporator

Freezing cold so far.

 

[BostonJon]

i'VE hAD THREE EVAPORE CORES IN MY 2005 v6 150,000 MILES 4RUNNER. oem LAST 4 YEARS - dealer replace with one I supplied that lasted 9 years.

Just replaced a new one at a top shop for $800. I supplied the evap for $90.

Freezing cold so far.

That’s definitely not a normal failure rate.

 

[FordF150]

That’s definitely not a normal failure rate.

BostonJon: Where's your proof to back up your statement. Do you own a 4runner? Work for a dealer? What?

They fail regularly. Possibly because we use it every day and we are in the Bahamas. OEM lasted 4 years in a new 4runner.

It is normal for them to fail IMO. Got 9 years out of the replacement evaporator. Dealer installed that one. I supplied the part.

2005 4runner with 150,000 miles (3 starter failures over the years.) Two bolts to get the new one on which came with a lifetime warranty. I kept the box and receipt on this one - and purchased a $90 backup new starter from Amazon (no lifetime warranty on this one). No HG issues which is common in 5% to 10%.

I'm in the Bahamas. A starter from the dealer was once quoted me at $900.
Do yourself a big favor, don't try replacing or rebuilding the solenoid switch on the starter. Buy a NEW unit for $90 - or you'll be under the car in a year doing the job over again. A new starter from Amazon will last 4 years - the same as the OEM that came with your car - IMO

A starter here in Nassau Bahamas might see 5 times as many starts a year as one in Florida. The island is only 23 miles long. Grocery store/supermarket is 1 mile away.

Amazingly, the WP, radiator and alternator are OEM. Great for a 15 year old car.

What is the average life of a new radiator? (automobile)? | Yahoo Answers

two 4runners in the video below have 500,000 miles + and 800,000 miles +

average life f car radiator - Bing

 

[firebirdguy]

they do not fail "regularly" captnsolo... & neither do starters.

it is not normal for starters & evaporators to fail that often regardless of where you live.

 

[FordF150]

Beat it firebirdass. You don't know what you are talking about. Do you even own a 4runner?
Don't expect an answer from this wingnut!
Amazon.com : toyota 4runner starter

I've replaced 3 (or 4) starters in my 15-year-old 4runner purchased from new. Cheap part at Amazon $90.


4 Common Complaints About 2005 Toyota 4Runners and How To Solve Them
4 Common Complaints About 2005 Toyota 4Runners and How To Solve Them | Toyota Parts Center Blog

Whatever you do DON'T rebuild a failed starter (even if it's just solenoid). I had that done at a professional shop and it lasted one year and failed again. A new ($90) one is cheap off Amazon and will last trouble-free at least 4 years in my experience.

Of course if you like replacing a failed rebuilt solenoid every year, go ahead.

The OEM evaporator that came with my new 4runner failed at 4 years. The dealer replacement lasted 9 years. New one in there now is from Amazon ($90).

Parts fail and don't last forever. If you are looking for parts like these to last 30 years you are dreaming. JMHO

Cool video toyota 4runner common problems - Bing video