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How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core


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shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 13, 2009, 10:14 AM

Post #1 of 17 (9751 views)
How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Hello i own a pontiac bonneville 2001 and its air conditioning evaportator core has a leak and needs replaced. i need to know how to take the dash off and how to replace the evaportator core. any help would be very nice thank you


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 10:29 AM

Post #2 of 17 (9742 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Your talking about numerous pages of instructions. I suggest you either purchase a service manual or a one car subscription to Alldata to get all the instructions.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 10:36 AM

Post #3 of 17 (9739 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Yes you have to take it out. Book time is almost 6 hrs so that tells you it's a big job.

I'm not sure of you skill level or trying to shy you away from it but will give you my take on it....

I haven't done this exact model but on all the other evaps & heater cores I've done I have found that the aftermarket databases do leave a lot to be desired in dash removal on some models. If you've done enough of them, you'll notice they all have a certain pattern to mounting bolts and there is always 1 or 2 they hide Mad .

If you've got a price on it.....I'm sure your jaw dropped.. Like I said, I don't know you skill level but if you do it. pay attention to all connectors & ground straps & support brackets. Alldata offers online manuals for single cars, might not be a bad idea. This isn't something someone is going to be able to do online......

And just a sidenote, if you start it, finish it...... If you get it tore half down & take it to a shop the price won't be 1/2, it will be almost double. The only job worse than a evap/heater core is one someone has already pulled 1/2 apart.... The logic is " I made it easier by taking it apart" but it's not the case, now you have a jigsaw puzzle that you have to try to figure out and you can't test all the dash functions to see what worked & what didn't.....


shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 13, 2009, 11:47 AM

Post #4 of 17 (9722 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

i figured it would take alot of time and what not. i have no skill what so ever lol. im only 17. lol my dad is bad at forms and stuff so im doing this for him he does have some skill for it but just doesnt know how. i have looked for a manual on the car but i can find one so if u know of a place online that would have it could u tell me. i looked at alldata but i couldnt find any of their online manuals


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 1:28 PM

Post #5 of 17 (9714 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Shadow - bite the bullet from what I see and just pay to have proper repair. You would spend now $27.99 for a complete www.AllData.com manual which would be best for this. You probably lack the tools if for a one time thing won't pay off.

Never mind tools and the right diagrams you also need some "been there done that" experienced for that stuff.

Mopars are famous for evaporator failures - stinks but true. Again from what posted - get competent help even at the price and you should be shocked but happy if done right the first time. This ain't for the timid,

T



shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 13, 2009, 2:25 PM

Post #6 of 17 (9706 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

like i said im only 17 and my dad is the one doing this not me. he could do it he just need to know how and all he needs is a manual to get into it. and we would go to a repair shop but its to much and we cant afford it. the pontiac bonneville 2001 has had a lot of air conditioning problems and has been worked on many times. so my dad decided to fix it him self. he has done it before on a different car but he had a manual for that and we need a new manual for my pontiac bonneville 2001


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 2:42 PM

Post #7 of 17 (9704 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

As HT & Tom stated.... An online manual might be the way to go if you're gonna do it...
Try this link alldatadiy.com (don't forget the Ws)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 2:47 PM

Post #8 of 17 (9703 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

You aren't alone with wanting to save some labor - parts cheap actually for this. I may/probable passenger's air bag to disable per exact instructions I don't have and YES anything can be done with the right info.

I still think you'll save hair loss by having down loadable info for this job by AllData.com ,

Who and how came to the conclusion this was an evaporator leak? Not that common on Ford products but anything possible. Tricky to diagnose and a total waste if that wasn't the problem!

T



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 2:58 PM

Post #9 of 17 (9699 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In


In Reply To
Who and how came to the conclusion this was an evaporator leak?


Didn't think of that Tongue Very good point sir..... Done tons of Rams... Not too many Pontiacs...


shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 13, 2009, 4:02 PM

Post #10 of 17 (9693 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

will my dad took it to a shop and they did some tests but found nothing my took this stuff that u put in the engine (idk if it was put in the engine im not a car person idk ok) and when it gets to the leak (the stuff he put in the engine is to find leaks) and leaks out the stuff glows under a some kind of light (i dont remeber it was server years ago) he found the leaking spot but cant patch it and took it to the shop and told them the look in that area the make sure and the found it to be the Evaporator Core leaking and told him they could replace it for a lot and he turned it down so now he finaly has time to work on it so i need to find a manual for it. also the car is a pontiac not a ford


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 10:05 PM

Post #11 of 17 (9689 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Ultra Violet (it's green to the eye) was likely put in. If a slower leak I like to charge it up to make it run which itself is a two page instruction listed above - then use UV light or while paper towel (clean) and check drain where water comes out normally with an operating system - water will dry but leave an oily residue or the dye evidence if trouble. Electronic sniffers are helpful as there's no color or real odor to refrigerant and if any is detected inside at vents instantly when system is shut down that's somewhat conclusive of an evaporator core leak.

You said you weren't a tech (mechanic) - that's fine but you can learn and learn that this is a difficult job.

Do you have your terms right? Evaporator is in dash, Condenser (more popular to go bad) is the radiator looking item in front of the radiator for the engine. Hoses and compressor are also leak possibilities - sometimes just a silly "O" ring but still need to know how to do it and charge the exact weight back in.

2001 GMs used dye (many) when new and an oil to lube compressor during operation that is "hygroscopic" (aborbs moisture) so if this is left un fixed (system empty) the oil would become acidic and in a year or two the whole system would deteriorate.

It's a whole course of study not a parts toss to do this stuff.

I think I speak for all the regulars here that we want you to succeed at the fix even if it takes sending this job out.

BTW - I'm just 17 also ----- just depends on when you start countingWink

Good luck - all are here to help,

T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 13, 2009, 11:19 PM

Post #12 of 17 (9683 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In


Quote
Mopars are famous for evaporator failures - stinks but true.
Not that common on Ford products but anything possible.


OK Tom, which question are you reading? The car is a Bonneville.............LOL

Nobody has mentioned the need of a recovery and charging station here. I'm one that believes A/C is not a DIY repair and most will do even more damage by trying this themselves. You really have to know this business to avoid problems.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 14, 2009, 12:57 AM

Post #13 of 17 (9675 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

Kitty needs new glasses and is pooped to boot!

Yes - any system need have remaining refrigerant recovered - work on it empty and plug off open ends avoiding contamination. Drier replacement a strong suggestion for short bucks usually and maintains warranty on some parts.

Kitty needs her coffee or mixes up threads - sorry,

T + K





(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Aug 14, 2009, 1:00 AM)


shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 14, 2009, 3:10 AM

Post #14 of 17 (9655 views)
Re: How to Replace an Air Conditioning Evaporator Core Sign In

yea it was that ultra violet light stuff and found the area of the leak so like i said we took it in and the found it to be the Evaporator Core i might be stupid at this stuff but my dad was told it was the Evaporator Core

tom im glad to hear ur 17 also but i know serval guys at my HS that r 17 and know a lot about cars. i on the other had have hardly an interest in cars i am more of a computer geek so thats y im asking all this stuff lol


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Aug 14, 2009, 5:58 AM

Post #15 of 17 (9648 views)
Re: 2001 Bonneville Evaporator core Sign In

Hi,

Sorry for messing up this thread on you. What I meant by being 17 is that I have been over 3 times now if you added that # up!

I was aggressive at automotives for ions even younger than that.

Yes the UV dye shows well with a UV light or even by eye if in an open area to see. Oil spots on any A/C item are clues as well.

Again - the drain for A/C water that it makes should be oil and dye free. If you (or your Dad) find the outlet and get an oily finger or dye that's fairly conclusive for an evaporator leak.

Different cars have weak areas from new - some will have issues and others of the same not?? GMs tend to leak at the shaft seal of compressor more than average IMO. Look there as it should be dirty buy dry at the head of compressor.

Any vehicle can catch a stone thru grille and cause a leak too.

With this much effort (evaps possible) taking the time to be sure is worth its weight in gold!

Good luck with the project,

T



shadowsgone
Novice

Aug 14, 2009, 6:13 AM

Post #16 of 17 (9642 views)
Re: 2001 Bonneville Evaporator core Sign In

u didnt mess anything up tom ur helping and thats what counts lol
yes my dad found the outlet and got dye/oily fingers


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 14, 2009, 6:16 AM

Post #17 of 17 (9639 views)
Re: 2001 Bonneville Evaporator core Sign In

I think Tom was referring to his Kitty being 17 years old not him....................LOL He can't remember 17.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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