Help Needed

[zedcruiser]

This is another AC thread i am so sorry but i am at witts end with this freekin cruiser and its AC issues. I have replaced the drier, condensor, ac compressor and the pipes from the compressor to the Firewall and the condensor. But after all these freekin parts and $ the freekin gas still leaks out Arggggggg.. I have a nasty feeling its either the evaporator or the valve next to the evap. does any one have pictures / instructions to pull out the evaporator. Having spent 1500 already at the AC shop its left me no choice but to do it on my own. Any pictures or detailed instructions would be great. For those who will suggest use Search i have done that and cannot find squat on how to remove the evap box on the passengerside.

Thanks BTW its a Green 94 with no lockers and only 155K on the clock.

 

[NLXTACY]

Ok before you start replacing anything else or tearing out anything, especially the PITA that is the evaporator, please do yourself a favor and do a leak test WITH the flouro-dyes. You dont have to do this but the A/C shop definitely should. The dyes are fantastic for even finding tiny leaks.

Then just running a UV light makes the leaks stand out. This is how it was done a dozen or so years ago but I cant imagine much has changed.

 

[Izeloz]

Ditto on the UV dye. May be an o-ring somewhere or anything. As for the evap core, I don't imagine it's too difficult. I took mine out of my '92 to clean/flush it and replace the expansion valve. Remove the glove box and then just start pulling things apart. Take LOTS of pictures every step of the way so you'll have a reference on how to put things back together. The evap core will be in the box with the hose coming out of it through the firewall. Should be a matter of bolts, screws, and clips to get it apart and back together. Good luck.

 

[lacruiser]

So, I'm kinda curious.

Who's idea was it to replace (almost) your entire A/C system?

Yours or the shops?

I'd find another AC shop. They should have some way to find leaks, either using the dye or a sniffer. Both work.

 

[zedcruiser]

We did the leak test, with Dye. Initially the plate over the compressor where the recharge hose and discharge hose go into were leaking as the dye was comming out from there and the condensor. So had the hoses replaced and condensor replaced and the drier as i was being safe. Once they put everything back the reekin compresosr gave out so had that replaced. We recharged the whole system with R134a and dye, and dont see any dye anywhere but the gas is still leaking. Hence i think its either the evap or expansion valve. I have read here the expansion valve can go bad. I am at witts end with this as its totally annoying me. I have come to the point of just dumping this cash pit if this cannot be resolved.

 

[lacruiser]

You need to find another shop! The best and most foolproof way to pinpoint a/c leaks is using an electronic sniffer. They're not cheap, so some shops don't have one. Call around until you find a shop that uses this technique.

The dye method is the most basic method, and the least costly to use. But it's not the best way to find a leak.

here's a page that has some info on electronic leak detectors:


http://aircondition.com/knowledge_base/LeakDetection/Electronic.html


How long does it take for the gas to leak out?

 

[zedcruiser]

It takes anywhere from 5-7 dys for the AC system to be completely dry. i shall find a shop as you recommended. Any one ine Northern VA have any recommendations. I want to avoid the steerlership (Tysons Toyota) as i think / experienced them to be a bunch of wahooss and $100 an hour is way too much for my pocket at this point.