Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) A/C evaporator

[JRS]

Mine is leaking, which seems to be a common problem. From a brief check of the $95 service manual, it looks like I have to remove the whole dash to get to it. Is this correct? And if I do replace it, what brand of evaporator should I replace it with? I am certainly not going back to the Dodge dealer to purchase one, only to have that one leak too.

 

[plangone]

Check out this thread:



http://216.235.147.117/forums/showthread.php?threadid=54603&highlight=evaporator



I'm afraid I might have to do the same on my truck pretty soon...

 

[Todd T]

dont let this scare you, its a very easy R/R. about an hour and a 1/2 to do the job.



use a drill to remove the screws to speed things up. the dash just rocks backwards and you can remove the whole air box. crack it open and do you thing. be careful to get the doors back in place and check them before you button it all back up



I can do one in 1. 5hrs - the recharge time.

 

[JRS]

which screws do I have to remove to rock the dash back?

 

[SRehberg]

Is this something that needs attention as well? It seems this truck is just a bucket of surprises anymore! I just killed the dowel pin, had the recalls, upgraded the trans lines, having the trans replaced, (40Kmiles), steering column fixed, wiring harness upgraded, oil pan replaced, etc. etc. I don't mean to get down here, but after awhile this all starts to get old. Is this AC evaporator another weak link in the infamous D/C design? The filter you mentioned, from Geno's how does it install and does it eliminate the problem? Thanks

 

[HoleshotHolset]

The filter installs on the outside of the truck on the cowl. It filters the air before it goes into the airbox. It helps greatly by preventing dust and all sorts of other crud from getting in there... and causing the evap. core to rot out... .



Matt

 

[ssurdahl]

What brand of replacement evaporator do you all recommend (and why!).

 

[shendren]

Oh, SRehberg..... you have many more surprises in store... ...



you'll need to replace that intermediate steering shaft. that shouldn't be more than $433...



you'll probably need to replace those front rotors soon... $200.



that track bar is not bad at $150



TPS. . $170



rusted weather seals on the windows are only $30 each.



and if you want to keep the p. o. s. dodge, plan on a new paint job somewhere down the road.....



i love my cummins!



good luck.

 

[SRehberg]

shendren: this forum is a great place to learn about the problems, the fixes, and the best ways to do them. I guess I have never had a vehicle that required so much fixing, for such a new vehicle. It started shortly after I left the dealers showroom and now it's getting more expensive. I have already had the joy of the intermediate steering shaft, so that one is behind me. Have you had the same fun I have with the transmission? 4 rebuilds by the dealer, now going for an exchange D/C one, as mine has a appetite for metal. This all started at 33,000!



The A/C (which was the original intention of this thread by another member) the evaporator seems to enjoy a short life. I checked out Geno's and the filter I saw cleans up the air smells etc. Is this the one that is referred to up above? Anyway to get the crud out of the evaporator without having to pull the dash? The pics on the mentioned site above, scare the pants off me... . looks like a bomb hit the interior.



I'll get stoned for this, but the next truck in the driveway will probably be something other than a Dodge.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Fortunately these problems don't appear in all the Dodge trucks.

My ac is working good so far never have added freon.

My steering is great.

Same rotors, same clutch.



Knock On Wood!Oo.



But I have had a few minor problems. Most taken care of some scheduled in for near future.



SRehberg,

Are you towing any thing extra heavy?

Save your money and invest in ATs or DTT... , transnmission upgrades.

 

[SRehberg]

Missouri Mule, I just bought a fifth wheel right before the trans went south. The only towing I have done is from the trailer dealer to my house (approx. 3miles) and it has stayed there. The trans went in for the lip seal replacement because the 2nd-3rd shift was delayed. Everything went downhill from there, as the trans seized 40 miles later from obstructed oil flow (dealer inflicted) then has been eating metal since. It has been rebuilt 3 times, and the fourth they gave up. I have a reman trans going in tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes.



I bought this truck with the idea of pulling a trailer, but I wonder if it is up to it. The trailer weight is around 8800lbs. max, 5800lbs unloaded. Should be o. k. by the specs, but who knows.



I like hearing your evaporator hasn't went down, as that would be a major fix to get that thing out of there. I see the cowl area has some grid type blocking by the windsheild, but I can see where leaves, pine needles etc. could go in. You would think the engineer would have designed the evaporator so it sat above the low point of the box so water/debris didn't set against the core material. Poor design! Or at least have an access door that could be unscrewed to drop the junk out of. I'm not complaining to anyone here, just *****ing out loud at D/C.



I keep waiting for my exhaust manifold to tear the ears off the head! The three piece by ATS will cure it, but all the money we keep throwing at these trucks, gets expensive. Thanks for listening, and keep me up on what we can do for the A/C

 

[Bill Stockard]

Hey guys, Dodge isn't the only vehicle with leaky evaporators. I just got through replacing the second one in my Ford Bronco 4x4.



BTW, the Bronco has also had 3 fuel tank sending units in it and the gauge has quit again. Dodge ain't the only one!!



Bill

 

[M Barnett]

I think some of you guys should go over to Ford, injectors are only what $3,000? Just kidding, but I love my Dodge Cummins. 1994 and original brakes, trackbar, steering, just about everything.

Michael