Evaporator core (1 Viewer)

[sakamo]

So not wanting to take any chances and busy at work I decided to take it to get the ac sorted out. My compressor was not engaging about at all and I did opt to have the expansion valve replaced and the dryer too (all Denso). Shop called and said my evaporator core was s*** and they couldn’t guarantee my ac would work if they didn’t replace it while it was torn apart. They wanted $350 for a new one

Here’s the pics which don’t look that bad. I told them as it was out, to clean it up and put it back in. Thoughts?

 

[smritte]

OK? But why do I not see any oil from a leak? They want to replace it because???

Forty years of AC and I can count on one hand how many evaporators I've seen leak that weren't caused by someone damaging it.

Unless you see oil trace indicating a leak, clean it up and run it.

 

[sakamo]

OK? But why do I not see any oil from a leak? They want to replace it because???

Forty years of AC and I can count on one hand how many evaporators I've seen leak that weren't caused by someone damaging it.

Unless you see oil trace indicating a leak, clean it up and run it.

Why would oil leak from an AC evaporator core? Stupid question maybe but I’ve also been told if there’s damage like that it’s likely a leak and Freon is escaping.

 

[sakamo]

Never mind I answered my own question. I get it now. Well the person I spoke to obviously didn’t know what they were talking about and the shop either didn’t or was trying to sell me parts I didn’t need.

I’ll rant here: for shops to mark up parts 20-30% over list price is crap and to say that this is how they make their money is also crap especially when they charge $200 an hour. If you don’t stock a part, you don’t have cost incurred and they likely get a discount off list in parts already. Never fails whenever I go to a shop I get lied to and scammed. I’m making a list and posting it. If they want to sue me, have fun with that.

 

[BTLSHP]

Never mind I answered my own question. I get it now. Well the person I spoke to obviously didn’t know what they were talking about and the shop either didn’t or was trying to sell me parts I didn’t need.

I’ll rant here: for shops to mark up parts 20-30% over list price is crap and to say that this is how they make their money is also crap especially when they charge $200 an hour. If you don’t stock a part, you don’t have cost incurred and they likely get a discount off list in parts already. Never fails whenever I go to a shop I get lied to and scammed. I’m making a list and posting it. If they want to sue me, have fun with that.

Which is why I (and others) picked up wrenches. My limit was reached with a $1,400 brake job on an Audi. This was reinforced when we were charged $700 labor to replace the brake hoses on the 80.

 

[BILT4ME]

Why would oil leak from an AC evaporator core? Stupid question maybe but I’ve also been told if there’s damage like that it’s likely a leak and Freon is escaping.

Because there is oil mixed with the Freon and it leaves traces when there is a leak.

That's part of the diagnosis.

If your compressor shut the bed and junked itself, it will contaminate the entire system and no amount of flushing will remove the particulate from the evaporator or the condenser and they should be replaced.

If all that happened was your Freon leaked out and it didn't work anymore, then it can be resealed and not have to replace everything.

 

[BILT4ME]

Never mind I answered my own question. I get it now. Well the person I spoke to obviously didn’t know what they were talking about and the shop either didn’t or was trying to sell me parts I didn’t need.

I’ll rant here: for shops to mark up parts 20-30% over list price is crap and to say that this is how they make their money is also crap especially when they charge $200 an hour. If you don’t stock a part, you don’t have cost incurred and they likely get a discount off list in parts already. Never fails whenever I go to a shop I get lied to and scammed. I’m making a list and posting it. If they want to sue me, have fun with that.

It is tough for shops to make money when they must have all the diagnostic equipment and tools to support all the new stuff as well as the old stuff.

I used to work behind the parts counter and they typically get jobber pricing so they can charge the customer list price for the parts. The walk in person to the parts store typically pays list price unless they have a way to get a discount.

What I take issue with is the people don't put things back together properly so they only install half the hardware or have no idea how to properly run a torque wrench.

That's why I do all my own work.

 

[ZackR]

Never mind I answered my own question. I get it now. Well the person I spoke to obviously didn’t know what they were talking about and the shop either didn’t or was trying to sell me parts I didn’t need.

I’ll rant here: for shops to mark up parts 20-30% over list price is crap and to say that this is how they make their money is also crap especially when they charge $200 an hour. If you don’t stock a part, you don’t have cost incurred and they likely get a discount off list in parts already. Never fails whenever I go to a shop I get lied to and scammed. I’m making a list and posting it. If they want to sue me, have fun with that.

Markup is part of the deal when you take it to a shop. The labor rate isn't how much someone is taking home, it has all of the business expenses baked in with a little bit of profit leftover assuming it goes to plan.

I get it can be frustrating, hence why so many folks on the forum tackle the job themselves. Years ago (2017) I got a high shop quote for the AC repair on my cruiser so I ended up buying a set of gauges, a few new parts (drier, expansion valve, O rings and refrigerant) and went for it. Pulled the evaporator, cleaned it out, the whole 9 yards, it took a weekend but I learned some new things and the AC in my old cruiser is still ice cold.

 

[sakamo]

Markup is part of the deal when you take it to a shop. The labor rate isn't how much someone is taking home, it has all of the business expenses baked in with a little bit of profit leftover assuming it goes to plan.

I get it can be frustrating, hence why so many folks on the forum tackle the job themselves. Years ago (2017) I got a high shop quote for the AC repair on my cruiser so I ended up buying a set of gauges, a few new parts (drier, expansion valve, O rings and refrigerant) and went for it. Pulled the evaporator, cleaned it out, the whole 9 yards, it took a weekend but I learned some new things and the AC in my old cruiser is still ice cold.

I typically do the same but I’ve been super busy with work and I live in Houston so I didn’t want to chance it. I just can’t see why people would mark up parts above list. I’ve spoken to several shops during this journey and I’ve even had them mark parts up 200 to 300%, charge double for labor with doing jobs that could be combined into one and the less goes on. I do work in the service and parts industry and we charge $135 an hour for highly skilled mechanics mining so I really don’t see why you should whack me over the head with inflated parts bills and your charge me $200 an hour for labor and on top of it all charging for shop supplies. Literally I’ve been charged or quoted for $150-$200 per job for rags in grease and cleaner and stuff. It’s ****ing criminal. I’m sorry.

 

[BTLSHP]

The Toyota dealership nearest me typically doubles MSRP on most smaller parts. The Lexus dealership next door gives 20% off as long as I order online…. Guess where I shop.

 

[smritte]

I get it now. Well the person I spoke to obviously didn’t know what they were talking about

I was a tech starting in 79 and have been a trainer for 20 years. That is one of my biggest complaints and something I pound into my students.
You cant diagnose anything if you don't know how it works. Too many people out there guess and throw parts successfully. When asked why I allow my students to work on my vehicles and not a shop, its because I trained them and I can hover. No bad habits.
What really sucks is working around people who have a decade or more in the industry and in my opinion, shouldn't own tools.

Sorry..big pet peeve.

 

[sakamo]

I’m happy to pay someone to properly diagnose and fix a problem especially on specialty vehicles. If you e done a job 100 or 1000 times you can fix it quickly and right the first time. Happy to pay for their expertise. But at $200 an hour for someone to dick around? Sorry I can do that for free.

In this case, a shop manager said my evaporator core likely has a hole in it when a previous poster and as I’ve come to find out on Google that it’s fine.

Someone please explain why shops up charge over list for parts? It doesn’t make sense. They have vendors who sell them product for dealer net which is 20-30% off list. How do I know this? I manage a dealer network in the equipment industry. I have technicians who work on complex canbus, diesel over electric and process integrated plant automation systems. And none of them, even the socal guys charge like this or close to this much.

 

[BILT4ME]

The Toyota dealership nearest me typically doubles MSRP on most smaller parts. The Lexus dealership next door gives 20% off as long as I order online…. Guess where I shop.

Be aware that MSRP changes dealership to dealership within the Toyota and Lexus world.

Then they give you discounts from that.

I had a list of parts I sent to 5 Toyota dealerships within 25 miles of my house.

If the lowest one is 100% then they ranged to 105%, 150%, 200%, and 205%

Needless to say I shop in two particular dealerships and I order a lot from partsouq and from Ourisman Toyota.

 

[duece71]

If your system is original or it is unknown if it’s been worked on or items replaced….maybe just get a new evaporator and drive on. The clutch on the original compressor in my R12 AC system fried itself and I decided it was time to do a system overhaul. I try ordering parts through my local dealer but they don’t want that…..they want me to bring the truck in, tell me what’s wrong, sell me the parts and install them and rack up the cash. It’s ok to make a different choice. I would rather give my money to a small local business instead if I need serious help.

 

[sakamo]

Yeah I’m just going to love on boys. Sorry for the rant. I believe forums like this and the community who shares my love for these amazing machines. Ac was just a joke I didn’t want to go down living in Houston. I pick it up tmro, pay them and lick my wounds and move on to a fun project like aux batteries and fun electrical stuff. Maybe I’ll put an Xbox back there?