AC cool, Evaporator leak/replacement (detailed)
10-13-2017, 10:28 AM
#41
Senior Member
Curios: How did you confirm you have an actual leak in the coil?
10-13-2017, 11:04 AM
#42
Not trying to answer for him, but it's a really common failure. Sure it could be an o ring or something, but there are several forums full of people having these leaking evap cores, as well as some formal consumer complains. If you don't have a leak detector you could load you system with the florescent refrigerant and look for it coming out of the drain, or on the evap core after you tear it apart. The only HVAC component in the cabin is the evap core an a few inches of solid line..
10-13-2017, 11:14 AM
#43
Senior Member
Not trying to answer for him, but it's a really common failure. Sure it could be an o ring or something, but there are several forums full of people having these leaking evap cores, as well as some formal consumer complains. If you don't have a leak detector you could load you system with the florescent refrigerant and look for it coming out of the drain, or on the evap core after you tear it apart. The only HVAC component in the cabin is the evap core an a few inches of solid line..
10-14-2017, 10:58 AM
#44
Senior Member
Uv dye was coming out of drain hole. I had our mechanic check it at work before taking to Ford. I'm sure Ford would have just said its the evap. So we checked first. Also as stated above there is no other possible leak point inside the cabin. The expansion valve is outside.
Last edited by tagle281; 10-14-2017 at 11:51 AM.
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digitaltrucker (10-14-2017)
10-14-2017, 12:04 PM
#45
Senior Member
Uv dye was coming out of drain hole. I had our mechanic check it at work before taking to Ford. I'm sure Ford would have just said its the evap. So we checked first. Also as stated above there is no other possible leak point inside the cabin. The expansion valve is outside.
Thanks, helps others who search and find this subject also!
10-25-2017, 09:33 AM
#46
I've got the install 90% complete. I just lack reinstalling some trim pieces. I replaced both the evap core, and the heater core with "spectra premium" brand. The old evap core did have an obvious leak that the florescent dye showed.
The replacement process... I would call a MAJOR PITA. I've pulled and rebuilt motors etc, I would rather do that, than replace another evap core. I think I'll have about 12 hours in the job when I'm done. I could do it again in half the time I think. The only guide a I had was a few 3-4 minute youtube videos that shows some bolt locations. It is possible to leave the dash nearly 100% intact and remove it as unit. My problem with that is, with it all assembled the dash weighs a ton. I removed the steering wheel, the sync hardware, gauges etc. The dash, stripped (passenger air bag still installed) probably weighs about 50lbs. It's awkward to handle, and tough to lift and hold into position.
The HVAC box, is, what I would call "plastic spot welded" together. After you remove all the screws it will not come apart. I drilled out all the spot welds and got it apart. When it came apart blend doors flew out of it. I was able to figure out where they went after studying it for a while. If someone wants to tackle this on their own I can do a somewhat detailed write up. I can tell you that the more basic you truck is, the easier it will be. I have the FX4 model. Having the center console adds at least 2-3 hours of work to the job. You also have GPS antenna, modules etc.
Someone who has done this might think I'm being dramatic about the difficulty. Once you have everything back together, it's easy to think "oh, that wasn't too bad." But you have to remember how you felt unplugging 30 something electrical connectors, and trying to remember the routing etc. It can be intimidating.
The replacement process... I would call a MAJOR PITA. I've pulled and rebuilt motors etc, I would rather do that, than replace another evap core. I think I'll have about 12 hours in the job when I'm done. I could do it again in half the time I think. The only guide a I had was a few 3-4 minute youtube videos that shows some bolt locations. It is possible to leave the dash nearly 100% intact and remove it as unit. My problem with that is, with it all assembled the dash weighs a ton. I removed the steering wheel, the sync hardware, gauges etc. The dash, stripped (passenger air bag still installed) probably weighs about 50lbs. It's awkward to handle, and tough to lift and hold into position.
The HVAC box, is, what I would call "plastic spot welded" together. After you remove all the screws it will not come apart. I drilled out all the spot welds and got it apart. When it came apart blend doors flew out of it. I was able to figure out where they went after studying it for a while. If someone wants to tackle this on their own I can do a somewhat detailed write up. I can tell you that the more basic you truck is, the easier it will be. I have the FX4 model. Having the center console adds at least 2-3 hours of work to the job. You also have GPS antenna, modules etc.
Someone who has done this might think I'm being dramatic about the difficulty. Once you have everything back together, it's easy to think "oh, that wasn't too bad." But you have to remember how you felt unplugging 30 something electrical connectors, and trying to remember the routing etc. It can be intimidating.
Last edited by stephenspann27; 10-26-2017 at 06:52 AM.
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digitaltrucker (10-26-2017),
GoodVibes (05-18-2019)
10-25-2017, 09:45 AM
#48
Senior Member
Nice job, congrats on the personal achievement!
10-26-2017, 05:46 AM
#49
Senior Member
Definitely looks to be a PITA. Glad I paid someone to do it. Congrats on tackling it. Also thanks for posting pics and the process. That's another reason I didn't attempt it. Not enough info online or first hand diyers out there to guide you through. This should help others down the road.
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digitaltrucker (10-26-2017)
10-28-2017, 05:17 PM
#50
The shop that did mine got to do it twice. The heater core started leaking after the evap was replaced. Glad I had that done initially as well o/w it would have been another 2k.
They had both done in under 8 hours, so the guy doing the work must have known some shortcuts. I don't get the feeling that it was shotty work, just dumb luck (like having a evap core leaking in a 3 yr old truck w/ just over 60k miles).
I'd cry if I had my truck looking like that.
They had both done in under 8 hours, so the guy doing the work must have known some shortcuts. I don't get the feeling that it was shotty work, just dumb luck (like having a evap core leaking in a 3 yr old truck w/ just over 60k miles).
I'd cry if I had my truck looking like that.
