Evaporator core reliability
03-08-2016, 08:07 PM
#1
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Evaporator core reliability
`1994 cabriolet
Is the evaporator core known for leaking often on these cars?
What are common leak points?
I have a pretty large ac leak at the moment (empty 2 weeks after recharge).
I Currently have the dash off to do my heater core and flaps and decided to take a look at the evap.
It looks alright but it is the originally one dated 1993.
It is likely enough to potentially be an issue that it is worth shelling out $300 for a new one at fcpeuro even if i am unsure it is leaking?
Is there anyway to test it while it is out right now?
Is the evaporator core known for leaking often on these cars?
What are common leak points?
I have a pretty large ac leak at the moment (empty 2 weeks after recharge).
I Currently have the dash off to do my heater core and flaps and decided to take a look at the evap.
It looks alright but it is the originally one dated 1993.
It is likely enough to potentially be an issue that it is worth shelling out $300 for a new one at fcpeuro even if i am unsure it is leaking?
Is there anyway to test it while it is out right now?
03-09-2016, 12:17 PM
#4
The dye you found was part of the PAG oil in your A/C system..PAG oil should be distributed throughout the entire system. There will always be about 20cc/30cc PAG in the evaporator. I recall the entire A/C system takes about 250cc of PAG..
Try and drain the dye/oil and see how much you collect..your A/C system may have had too much oil in it. If you collect 400cc of oil out of the evaporator..then for sure you had too much oil in the system.
The evaporator itself is a robust unit. If you did not find any dye in the matrix..then the A/C leak was likely somewhere else. Like CR said..probably an "O" ring. Could be the high side A/C hose off the compressor to the condenser or the compressor..look around with a UV flashlight.
The dye is messy and is hard to remove..a good wash with simple green and water helps...don't get any water inside the evaporator.
Try and drain the dye/oil and see how much you collect..your A/C system may have had too much oil in it. If you collect 400cc of oil out of the evaporator..then for sure you had too much oil in the system.
The evaporator itself is a robust unit. If you did not find any dye in the matrix..then the A/C leak was likely somewhere else. Like CR said..probably an "O" ring. Could be the high side A/C hose off the compressor to the condenser or the compressor..look around with a UV flashlight.
The dye is messy and is hard to remove..a good wash with simple green and water helps...don't get any water inside the evaporator.
03-09-2016, 02:19 PM
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Sorry for the misunderstanding. There wasn't any visible or pooled dye in the Evap. I was just stating when it was filled 1.5 months ago to the correct level,Dye was included with this charge of freon.
I had it emptied 1 month ago and only .25 pounds? Were retrieved.
Does the dye remain visible with uv light on parts a month after last leaking out?
I had it emptied 1 month ago and only .25 pounds? Were retrieved.
Does the dye remain visible with uv light on parts a month after last leaking out?
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03-11-2016, 08:40 AM
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03-11-2016, 09:35 AM
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03-11-2016, 01:36 PM
#10
Part number for the 134a Cabriolet evaporator is 8A1820103AB
You can get it from Germany. Add about 100 euros for shipping. Still a good price.
Verdampfer, Klimaanlage 8A1820103AB OEM-Nummer original
You can get it from Germany. Add about 100 euros for shipping. Still a good price.
Verdampfer, Klimaanlage 8A1820103AB OEM-Nummer original