If you think 3rd gens are a pain to work on . . .

[98OzarksRunner]

I started smelling refrigerant (R-134A) in my GX470 a few weeks ago. I planned to replace the O-rings on the evaporator and expansion valve but when I started into it I realized it's a pretty substantial project. So I tried some stop leak, which of course didn't stop the leak. So . . .

I tore it down, and looked for the leak (added some dye). No dye around the O-rings. Quick search of 4th gen forum shows evaporators go bad on these. Has dye along the bottom of the evaporator core, so I'll order one and put it in. The evaporator is in the white case. Probably another hour to get that out and replace the core, then 3 or 4 to put it all back together. Lexus allows about 7 hours for this job (for an experienced tech), and it's about $1200-1400 with parts. 3rd gens are a piece of cake . . .

 

[Scramble]

Holy Crap!

 

[LittleCaesar]

The 3rd Gen is one of the easiest automobiles I have ever worked on.

Not to say it is a royal PITA but at least the engineering process doesn't look too bad. Just have to put in the hours.

 

[cashmoney]

Looks about like mine when I did my heater core.

And these things are by far the easiest vehicle since the creation of the bicycle to work on.

 

[HiLife]

Most of the evap jobs are automatic whole dash removal in order to get to the evap.
Not too much for Toyotas and Hondas. Very well engineered.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Actually it's not a difficult job, just a time-consuming one. My wife asked if I remembered how it all goes together and I told her it can only go together one way. Every cable goes to the box at that location and each connector is different so it can't go on wrong. But I did disconnect about 100 cables. I have parts all over my garage. I was intimidated by the airbags but that was not a problem either. Just time - and my time is worth less than my money (at least that much money).

3rd gens are easy to work on, but I think the evap core is behind the center console on them as well. They just never go bad!

 

[7echo]

O M G.

You say it is just time and I get that, its just nuts and bolts. But those kind of jobs worry me no end. I always know that I will be about 90 % back together and realize I forgot something.

The FSM instructions for that job is probably like-

"Remove everything in front of the front seats. Then reverse procedure."

 

[MandAtaco]

Thats how most race truck builds start, with a gutted interior.

 

[T4R2014]

And these things are by far the easiest vehicle since the creation of the bicycle to work on.

You obviously haven't worked on any old(80's and below) vehicles.

 

[Gadgetguy]

You obviously haven't worked on any old(80's and below) vehicles.

Or a 1st gen 4Runner with a 22re, miss everything but the hill climbs.

 

[UnderFire]

I've taken apart basically everything on my 3rd gen at this point, and can tell you for a fact, there is no difficult job, maybe a slight PITA, but nothing hard at all.

 

[MyHigh]

Or a 1st gen 4Runner with a 22re, miss everything but the hill climbs.

Right, my 1st gen loved going down hills:first:

That first picture had me scratching my head, then it hit me, holy ....! That's the dash

 

[BamaDrewski]

Actually it's not a difficult job, just a time-consuming one. My wife asked if I remembered how it all goes together and I told her it can only go together one way. Every cable goes to the box at that location and each connector is different so it can't go on wrong. But I did disconnect about 100 cables. I have parts all over my garage. I was intimidated by the airbags but that was not a problem either. Just time - and my time is worth less than my money (at least that much money).

3rd gens are easy to work on, but I think the evap core is behind the center console on them as well. They just never go bad!

The evaporator core on our 3rd gens is actually behind the glove compartment. It's not too bad to take out. Took mine out last summer and replaced it along with the expansion valve. Took me about 1.5 hours. (I even washer the inside of the evaporator core box!)

 

[cashmoney]

You obviously haven't worked on any old(80's and below) vehicles.

Does a 77 bronco count?

I still the 3rd gen is easier if for nothing else it's 20+ years newer and everything isn't rusted, seized, broken, stripped, or falling apart.

 

[JayRolla]

Pretty normal job on most cars heater cores. Wifes Ford Expedition was quoted $1200 to do the blender door which is like $100.

Cut a hole in the heater plenum, swapped door, metal taped up and fixed in an hour!

 

[Crusifix]

I looked at the first pic and thought... "If my 5G is like that and I have to fix it, then I do this"

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I looked at the first pic and thought... "If my 5G is like that and I have to fix it, then I do this"

I did seriously consider trading it, but I'm sure the dealer would have smelled the R-134A (and smelled a rat - me!).

 

[HiLife]

[/QUOTE]


This is one of the many reasons why shops don't let the customers on the repair floor. Most customers will freak out if the see this happen to their car!
But for auto techs...it's all in a days work.

 

[Flighht2k]

I did seriously consider trading it, but I'm sure the dealer would have smelled the R-134A (and smelled a rat - me!).

FYI. Refrigerant doesn't really have a smell. What you're smelling is the oil.

 

[BlackCat914]

Did yours have any dash cracking? Luckily mine hasn't but now would obviously be a prime time to swap a new dash in if yours did. I've had my fair share of dashes out. This one is a 2013 Infiniti G37.