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Topic: A/C evaporator chill leaking. (Read 2947 times) previous topic - next topic

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Ok so last year I rebuild the a/c in my 86 5.0.  Won't hold a charge.  After three attempts I pulled the plug on that shop.  Went to another that i trusted and they tell me it's the evaporator coil that's leaking.    Is there any way to replace that without removing the dash.  Guess while I'm in there i should replace the heater core also.  Suggestions welcome

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #1 –
Gotta pull the dash. No way around it. BUT i have really never replaces more than 2 in my career on that model. They are prety reliable. Are you sure it is the EVAPORATOR??? I f so replace the heater CORE as well. Cheap insurance.  Have a great night guys.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #2 –
I think you may be the first person on here with an evaporator core failure. Lucky you :hick:.

Unfortunately the dash has to come out, just like doing a heater core.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;436621
I think you may be the first person on here with an evaporator core failure. Lucky you :hick:.

Unfortunately the dash has to come out, just like doing a heater core.


I agree they just do not go bad. Like i said i think i replaced 2 that came from other shops and they were not leaking. But the customer is always right> Have a great day guys
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #4 –
I checked a friend's Fox Mustang (same evaporator) with nitrogen a few years ago. He heard the hiss by the vent and stuck his face close to inspect it. Almost fell out due to the lack of oxygen! Diagnosis - blown evaporator. Doesn't happen often, but it can.

If it's a decent sized leak, an electronic detector should be able to sense the refrigerant coming out of the vents. I'd being doing quite a bit of work to confirm the leak is in the evaporator before tearing into it!

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #5 –
Yes, what is the basis for this shop's diagnosis?  Are they using an ELD?  Are they dye tracing?  Are they checking at the vents, or at the evaporator drain?  An evaporator failure is almost unheard of, not outside the realm of possibility, but a longshot still.

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #6 –
They tested with some type of sniffing device.  I wasn't there but that was their diagnosis and i don't know the particulars as to how they got there.    Might be worth some labor money to get a second opinion it sounds like.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #7 –
Had an 87 tbird and it still had the original r-12 charge in 2007! But always replace heater core when you go in.... And it wouldnt hurt if you check vacuum motors, vac lines and anything else you can check. You only want to r&r the dashboard once if you can.... Trust me
How fast is fast?

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #8 –
Sniffers, or "ELDs" are more fallible than dye.  ELDs are vulnerable to both contamination (resulting in a false positive) and airflow (also bringing back a false positive).  You should never use an ELD unless the air is completely static, no breeze or blowing whatsoever.  Also, because refrigerant is heavier than air, you should only check for an evaporator leak at the evaporator drain.  This is also where you'd find dye traces (if the system contained dye).

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: My10-80;436634
They tested with some type of sniffing device.  I wasn't there but that was their diagnosis and i don't know the particulars as to how they got there.    Might be worth some labor money to get a second opinion it sounds like.

I would. It's much cheaper than replacing the evaporator core. More than likely it's an O-ring or line that's leaking. The dye test really is the best bet.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #10 –
That settles it, Next week I will be making arrangements for a second opinion.  Whats so funny is, For the longest time, I haven't had any trouble with either of my birds.  Now a slight problem with the the Turbo, it is in the shop right now.  I blew out two, yes two brake lines.  Rusted through.  Having all of them checked over and replaced as needed.    Now the possible issues with the 86.  Where does it end once it has started??

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #12 –
THIS is my life on a daily bases. Customers with problems and cars busted that is my life and business. Example a car comes in for collision work in the front. We fix it the customer comes to pick up the car and points out a dent in one of the doors!!! Tells us it was not there when he brought the car in. But we always take photos of every car we work on even in the repair shop. So out comes the photos of the dented door before we even took the car off the wrecker. As far as repairs goes we are dealing with old cars and they break and brake lines rot out. That is why i always inspect cars fully when they come in to our shop. Have a great day guys.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;436679
I'll tell you where, bankruptcy.  That's what it feels like some days.

Amen.  My wife threatened to make me sleep in one of them when I told her how much the shop wanted to take out the dash and install the new AC evaporator. 

Quote from: TOM Renzo;436685
As far as repairs goes we are dealing with old cars and they break and brake lines rot out. That is why i always inspect cars fully when they come in to our shop. Have a great day guys.

And that is exactly what happened.  Two brake lines together one touching the other one both touching the center cross member where water collected and vibration could have allowed the brake lines to rub each other as well as the cross member if even slightly.  The shop is now going to separate the lines just enough they won't touch each other or the cross member.  Should last another 25 years right????????    I should be thankful because originally I suspected the master cylinder as the culprit of the lost brakes.  My wife thought I was crazy when I came in from the garage all happy that I had brake line leaking.    Had to explain it to her.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647
 

A/C evaporator chill leaking.

Reply #14 –
One of the things that i learned many many years ago is lines can not touch each other. Weather in the engine compartment or any other system. Also brake lines need to be fastened securely at or about every 4 feet or so. never allow them to vibrate or be not suspended for more thah a foot. have a great day guys
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!