Anyone replace their evaporator core?

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Lexus dealer says I need a new rear. 1k to fix. anyone done this before? Thanks!
 
Symptoms?
 
AC won't hold a charge. took it to the Lexus dealer, and they diagnosed the rear evaporator leaking. I don't even know where it is... dealer will do it for 1000. tired of driving around in a hot truck, but the good news is winter is coming.
 
Lexus dealer says I need a new rear. 1k to fix. anyone done this before? Thanks!


LC's have two A/C units, @ least those of you with dual climate and year 04' and up. Front Evap core is located on the Passenger side of the glove-box compartment. Rear Evap core is located behind the rear right quarter panel area. There are tutorials available for tackling each one, if your have the right equipment to service your A/C system.
 
May not be your rear evaporator-

Could be a hole in one of the lines that leads back to the rear AC causing the refrigerant loss. Some threads posted in the past few months on this issue and the fix. You might search that before spending a $$$grand.
 
Have you tried a leak sealer? How long it takes to loose freon?
 
You can recharge the system and its weak in 1 week. I asked the lexus tech to diagnose the problem and look for the leak, and thats what he came up with. Obviously, if its not fixed I can take it back to him and tell him to redo it. AC IMO is on a different level from mechanical issues. That being said, if the rear evaporator is in the rear, Maybe its really easy to get to. Anyone have pics of the rear evap location? thanks!
 
found this on Google - - pictures of rear ac in LC 100
the picture is even from ih8mud ;)
Most of the problems listed here on mud re. leaks for rear AC , is caused by corroded AC lines under the car
 
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That rear ac evaporator looks really easy to get to. To buy a denso evaporator is only 200 bucks. I was under the impression it was next to the front evaporator. Could I also just cap the rear and go with just the front? Where would I do this? At the firewall? Thanks guys for your help. Apparently this failure is rare.
 
That rear ac evaporator looks really easy to get to. To buy a denso evaporator is only 200 bucks. I was under the impression it was next to the front evaporator. Could I also just cap the rear and go with just the front? Where would I do this? At the firewall? Thanks guys for your help. Apparently this failure is rare.


There is no real way to bypass or separate the evaporator core from the system without creating something new. You will still need to recover the system and then "make your repairs" if you will. There are two lines that run to rear of the truck that connect the front portion of the A/C system. I believe they run underneath on the driver's side of the truck, here is where you would find and re-route the A/C lines.

Here is a diagram of what you will see if you decide to work on the Rear A/C portion.

#6 & #7 are the liquid and suction lines, I am referencing about.
8eeddb0c8d63f4be050e4529381ff505.png


My advice is just deal with no A/C, DIY it, or find a independent shop that will work with you, hell even a forum member near you with A/C experience.

All the best.
 
if its just a swap, then that doesn't look that hard. I'm not sure the service advisor knows what he is talking about... thats what scares me. Im not sure the tech would even know if the rear evaporator is leaking without pulling the rear interior out... I'm worried he is just guessing.
 
There is a way to cap the rear section search "rear ac line caps" in 100 series section.(I'm link challenged sorry) There are 2 sections that the line seems to fail
1. under the metal cover in back of the passenger side wheel and
2. the section over the rear axle seems to be a trouble spot.
you can start to find your break by using the ac dye and trace it with that special flashlight. Personally I would do this before spending 1k and possibly having another leak somewhere.
I used a brake compression fitting on my
high pressure line with a copper nickel brake line and it hasn't leaked yet.
How did they determine it was the rear evaporator? Possibly the line that goes to it is corroded and cannot be removed so they are trying to sell you the whole evaporator.
 
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I replaced mine in May at the stealership. I also had them do the air mix servo motors. The Grinding noises and the hot air when wanting cold etc was driving me nuts. $2800 AUD.

Have them blow out the condensation escape tubes while they are in their.
 
Had to replace front core on my 98
 
I need to talk to the dealer that sold me the truck. it was blowing hot air when I bought it, and the salesman said it would be fixed. Maybe they will help me out...
 

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