Can someone help me replace my A/C evaporator. It does not hold charge for more than 2 days and has been diagnosed as the evaporator by a pro. I do not want to pay to have it replaced and would rathter do it myself. It is starting to get hot down here in North Carolina.

 

did you ever replace this?? I think mine is shot also. Let me know!

 

changing the Evap coil is the same as changing your heater core. you have to pull thw whole damn dash out, and its a PITA to do. good luck


I did my heater core in a weekend taking my time. but the dealer is doing it this time in 2 weeks when I'm on holidays. then atleast I can have a warranty if I get another faulty heater core.

 

Hi all,

this forum is great. Always get my (and the right ) answers here !
Took my 2000 Durango R/T in fro service (lots of stuff Fuel Pump, electronics for the fuel (not certain of the name); in any event I asked for the A/C to be charged as it wasn';t working.
After being fixed , it worked for a (one) night. I noticed the windshield was getting misted, and the smell of Anti-freeze. Several folks told me it's the heater coil (core ?). And as you mention the dash has to come out. Some Questions:

- What is a fair value/amount for doing this work (I am in the New York City area) in terms of the parts and the labor (time) ?
- Does this affect the vehicles heat as well as A/C
- Will this affect the car overheatign (I beleive the Antifreeze is still leakign through it and will continuie)
- Any short write-ups describing how the heater core/coilworks ?

thanks.

 

My evap was leaking (2000 Durango), replaced it myself about 2 weeks ago. While I was in there I also replaced my heater core (foolish not to, even if you have someone else do the work). In the Chicago area, going rate is about $900-$1000. I pais $150 forthe evap, core and blower motor. So, I figure I saved about $850. It took me about 8 hours to remove and replace the components and about 4 hours to put it all back together. The evaps are known to go in these things.

This was my first evap/core replacement. It was not that difficult (although very time consuming), but I grew up working on Moparsand have a good basis for how they work. If you do not have a good understanding, you could get in trouble. Johnny is right, it is a PITA. It comes down to whether or not you are comfortable trying to do it yourself. If you get half way through it and have trouble, it now becomes a tow in to a repair shop with a whole bunch of parts that need to be installed. If you are not comfortable with the risk - have someone do it.

Lastly, if you smell antifreeze, that is your heater core. If you are not holding a charge in the A/C system, that is a separate issue. The core and evap are mounted in the same HVAC box, but are two separate closed loop systems.

Whatever you decide, good luck.