Disassembled the AC....

[jsimpson]

First discovery: the intermittent dash vents were caused by the disintegration of the plastic top end of the air door shaft that fits into the plastic arm that attaches to the vacuum servo. Cure: make new end with JB Weld.

Second discovery: the evaporator leaks were caused by corrosion where the ends of the evaporator lay against foam padding which holds moisture against the aluminum coils. Cure: Epoxy coat the ends of the new evaporator, and replace the foam with a bead of silicone seal.

Third discovery: the evaporator coil was almost totally clogged with crud and grime: Cure: develop a way to mount a pre-filter for the AC/Heat unit. Any suggestions?

Results: time will tell

Note: I didn't notice any difference in quality between the OEM evaporator and the aftermarket replacement. I believe the problem with Dodge evaporators is caused by their method of mounting, not by inferior evaporator quality.

One more thing: the use of Super Seal was a waste of time and money.

 

[Koa Man]

I appreciate you sharing the info on the evaporator. I'll keep it mind if I have to change mine. The Super Seal I put in last August is still working and AC is still blowing cold. Super Seal says on the instructions that if your AC presently does not hold at least a partial charge for 10 days, your leak may be too big for it to seal, and if it doesn't hold at least a partial charge for 5 days, you need mechanical repair. Your evaporator was apparently too far gone for it to work.



Off topic, but in your signature I see a Lexus LT470, quad cab shortbed. My wife has a 2000 LX470, which is a SUV. Never heard of the LT470, is this a pickup?

 

[jsimpson]

yes; like all Lexi, it's a rebadged Toyota, in this case a rebadged Tundra Limited.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Was the "crap" that clogged the evap small particles (dust, dirt, etc) or larger particles (leaves, pine needles, small animals?) ?



Just curious on how well the filter has to "filter".



Dan

 

[jsimpson]

dust and dirt; it did NOT easily clean, even when removed and ona atable. There were leaves in the squirrel cage blower, but I believe the blower is easily removed and cleaned while in the car.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Part of the reason it might have not cleaned easily is since it was leaking freon, it was also leaking oil. The oil would then catch all the dust and be a pain to clean. Of course I can't say "that's what it is", but it could be part of the problem.



Dan

 

[10-G]

Congratulations, you have saved boo koop money. I do believe the fan can be removed without pulling dash. it is on the bottome of the heat/ac unit.



Any problems getting your heater hoses off?

 

[jsimpson]

I pulled the heater hoses off after removing the heater.

I'm sure the leakage had a lot to do with the mess, but regardless, it's got to be removed to be cleaned as it's presently set up. Also, if you are drawing in fresh humid air or it's raining, moisture will cake any accumulation that's on the evaporator coils.

 

[RCrawford]

Geno's has a filter kit for $49. I think I'm going to try one. I work around rock quarrys and the lime dust settles on the truck through the day and gets sucked in through the cowl vent. When it gets into the duct work, its hard as he!! to get it all out. Has anyone tried one of these vent filters, are they any good?

Thanks in advance, R. C.

 

[jsimpson]

I' think I'll give Geno's a call. Beats designing and building my own. I'm also going to add a filter to the inside air intake down by the floor.

 

[jsimpson]

Back in and ready to recharge. The old drier weighs about five pounds more than the new one - must have a LOT of water in it! New one is shorter and doesn't fit the bracket, had to make sleeve. Replaced almost all of the foam gaskets with foam tape. Had to be REALLY careful not to pinch any of the vacuum hoses between the unit and the firewall when re-installing. Can't wait to vacuum it down, refill it, and fire it up!

 

[jsimpson]

Cold as ice, but I have a new problem most likely caused by my reinstallation. I'm getting air only through the defroster and foot vents. I believe I must have pinched the vacuum hoses when I bolted the unit back in. I'll have to loosen it to free up the hoses!

 

[RCrawford]

J. , check to be sure the vacume lines are connected and in the right location. The wifes Durango only blew in the floor and defroster once and i found a line off right above the gas pedle. She must have realy got on it hard that time :-laf . How long did the job take you? I was told about a day and a half, but it only took me about 6 hrs. not counting gassing it. Good Luck,

R. C.

 

[Deezul1]

Setting A/C controls to recirculate instead of outside air in dusty conditions will keep a lot of dust out of the unit.

 

[jsimpson]

My main vacuum connector won't reach because vacuum lines are snagged behind the unit. I'll have to loosen the driver's side and pull them loose. Altogether, I'd say I spent twelve to eighteen hours on the job, but I did a lot of things besides replace the evaporator. I had to apply probably a hunderd pound sof force to get one of the spring couplers to snap closed on the evaporator. I was worried about ruining my new evaporator!

In South Florida, the AC is almost ALWAYS on recirculate! But I DO need to vacuum my floors more often!!!