Hi guys,
Has anyone attempted to change the evaporator on a 4.2 N/A Coupe.? is it possible to remove or access the evaporator from the footwell or does the dashboard have to be removed to gain access?

I'm not looking forward to doing this one. Any help with the order of procedure would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

Yes it all has to come apart. Did you check pricing on a new evaporator? How much of a leak is it? I had mine diagnosed a year and a half ago with a pinhole leak. Takes about a year before you start to notice it so instead of all of the work and cost to do that (they wanted over $3k for the repair), I just top it off with a $40 bottle of refrigerant. Works great if you can get away with it.

 

What the hell, man? $40??? Someone is taking YOU for a ride...
R14a Refrigerant at Walmart for $4.88

 

That’s just for a small 12oz refill can. The kits range in price from about $30 all the way to $60. I used the $60 one in order to get the reusable digital refill gauge too, had a 25% off coupon plus $20 mail in rebate so my final cost was really only about $25. and it took more than half the 22oz can it came with. Next time I need to fill again, I can buy the less expensive refill.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...7CL4*-49996539

 

Thanks for the quick reply, I was hoping you were not going to say that.
I had the AC charged up this summer as the system was empty. I also had a can of the STP leak seal added at the same time,unfortunately It didn't seal and it only lasted a week. I returned the car back for further diagnoses and the chap re pressurised the system and used one of those sniffer probes to locate the leak. When he directed it over the left hand cabin vent and the sounder went berserk.
I've managed to source a S/H evaporator which I will have tested before I fit it.

Again if anyone has a schematic of the dash bolt positions and a rough order of removal would be helpful

Thanks

 

I've had hoses and pressure gauges for years Years hell, I got them in 1991 and they still work perfect. I had to buy a new can-side hose when the can styles changed to Reusable, but that cost me a whopping $7. A reusable hose with a gauge is like $15 and you can use it on any R134 can from anywhere.
I've used my small setup to charge friends and neighbor's vehicles for years, and I'm sure they all liked paying $5 for a top-off than however much a shop would charge ($89+???. Also way less than your single-use 22 ounce.
Course, if you only NEED 22 ounces and don't already HAVE a hose, then your deal would work just fine.

Reusable R134a hose with gauge from Amazon

 

You misread. The one I bought IS reusable, net cost after coupon/rebate $25 for the 22oz can AND the digital gauge and long hose. But I paid $220 for the initial diagnosis/top off..... Anyhow the $40 price I quoted was based on an average of the cost of complete kits.

Unfortunately none of this helps the OP as his leak is more severe...I wonder if we shall see more of these leaks as they age?

 

Did you check the manuals in the sticky at the top?
There was a member that did a removal and wrote some pretty good info with pictures. It’s in a thread here... somewhere...

 

Just checked the stickys as you suggested Thanks for lead, the bit on the dash removal by Ajzride will be a good reference to get started. Evidently he managed to remove the dash in 100 minutes.

Thanks again

 

Are you 100% sure it isn't your condensor? I just changed mine and can talk you through it

They go on these cars big time. Change is about 1.5 hours...buy aftermarket

 

Its defiantly the evaporator which is housed in heater box along with the heater matrix. Unfortunately I was hoping there might be the slightest chance it could be replaced without removing the dash and heater box

 

oh good grief, another job to look forward to!! Best of luck with it buddy

 

If he is asking about taking the dash apart then he has a bad evaporator the condenser is in the nose of the car.

 

I was confused, im only familiar with the condensor. The evaporator is a new one on me, but then i have no past experience of working on cars with A/C