Whoops. What'd I hit, and how much to fix?

[Davey]

Let me set the senario;



It's around 10:20pm the night before I have to go back to work, and my list of honey-do's apparently outweighed my list of need to do's before I go back to work. I'm mounting a 110 volt interor heater underneath the glove box, I proceed to drill into the black plastic bottom underneath the glove box beside my blower motor. All is well until I install my screws. What is that hissing noise, followed by a slimy cold clear fluid exiting my truck's heater.

Now normally I would ask this ? or research a bit before drillling anything I'm unsure of, but I was pressed for time, and have to be up in 6 hrs for work, and really hope my heater works. I'm thinking it's the freon reservoir or something a little more technical sounding, and if I'm lucky I can leave it until next summer. What would be doubly good is if it only cost $500 or less to fix.

Oh well back to work. What is that big cast iron thing in front of my firewall anyways?



Thanks

Dave

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Sounds to me like you hit your AC condenser - it's inside the dash on the 2nd gens. Is this on your 99? If so, your in the wrong forum and I'll move it. The problem is that there's also oil in there which is what lubricates your AC compressor. Your AC compressor runs on every setting except for the heater and vent settings - defrost, bi-level, and AC. You'll fry your AC compressor if it isn't lubed and that will drive up your repair cost significantly. According to the service manual the dash needs to be pulled to replace it but I understand that it can be done without completely removing it although it is a big job.

 

[Davey]

Sorry it's on my 06'.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Someone else will have to answer on the 06 but I bet the condensers in the same place and that's the only thing I can think of that you could hit that would leak a cold slimy fluid. I'd get it fixed before you have to buy a compressor on top of it - it won't be under $500 though.

 

[DPKetchum]

Ac EVAPORATOR is in the dash. Condenser is up in front with radiator. If thats what you hit it not cheap. Also if system left open it draw moisture into it and ruin compressor,lines,reciever drier etc. Its in the same spot on most vehicles.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Duh, that's what I meant - I was tired .

 

[MCummings]

Fix it now will be some big money, fixing it right later will be VERY Big money $1k+.



At this moment in time,, it sucks to be you... LOL j/k (not really) :-laf



Merrick

 

[rashwor]

The guys are right. It is either the heater core (not likely) or the evaporator. With the hissing, it is the evaporator. Time is the enemy here... more time = more money to fix.



I'm sorry.

 

[RankRam]

I'm too lazy to walk out and look at my truck, but couldn't Dave just order a serpentine belt for a non A/C equipped CTD, then fix the damage when he has the time?

 

[nickleinonen]

I'm too lazy to walk out and look at my truck, but couldn't Dave just order a serpentine belt for a non A/C equipped CTD, then fix the damage when he has the time?

just unplug the clutch wire on the compressor will disable it, but that won't prevent moisture/air from getting into the system from the hole in the evaporator. . if you really want to leave it until next spring, see if you can get the lower heater box off and get some epoxy or jb weld on the hole and either vacuum the system out or purge it with nitrogen and leave it charged with ~20psi n2 to keep air/moisture out. .

 

[Davey]

I wasn't going to leave it till next spring if more damage was to happen. I ordered the new A/C Evaporator today ($281) and am waiting on a labour quote.

Thanks for all the help fella's.

I hate late night panic jobs. :{