robert213 Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 It looks like I'm next -- Time to replace the AC Evaporator in my car. Q-01) I think that I see a trend -- the 1994 model years have their Evaporators replaced in 2002-03; the 1995 model years have them replaced in 2003-04, a friend (who owns a 1997) replaced his last week -- Our evaporators last only 8-9 years then they begin to leak. I am preparing to waste a perfectly good Summer weekend to tear apart my dash. It appears that I will be doing this again in another 8-9 years. Are the OEM replacement evaporators built any better that factory?Who makes aftermarket replacement evaporators? How can I tell whether these are built any better than OEM replacement?Q-02) I own a 1984 Nissan Maxima. It spends its Winter's instead of a damp and dusty old farm. It has its original 22 year old evaporator. It doesn't have a cabin air filter. The AC blows ice cold. The last time that I added R12 was 1998. I own a 1985 Mitsubishi. Similar situation as my Maxima. I had O-rings replaced and R12 added in 2000. I own a 1993 Honda Accord. Similar story as before. I had R134 conversion performed last summer. What is causing the evaporators to leak after only 8-9 years of use?Would it be cost-effective for our master fabricators (i.e. Jesse and Slater) to fabricate a conversion kit. In other words, could an evaporator from a Honda be made to fit into our 850(s). Q-03) Heater Core. I don't understand why the engineers at Volvo saw a need for a plastic coupler and all of these O-rings. In my other cars, the ports of the heater stick thru the firewall where I can simply slip on some generic heater hose and tighten down with a screw clamp. Is replacing the heater core a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) job? Should I replace it along with AC Evaporator or wait til later? Is replacing the plastic coupler a DIY job? Should I replace it along with AC Evaporator or wait til later? Q-04) Light bulbs behind Gauge Cluster. I haven't found time to research this. Should I replace all bulbs behind Gauge Cluster or wait til later? Q-05) Vacuum hoses. I haven't found time to research this. My Dad's ole 1969 Ford LTD had vacuum hoses for controlling Heater/AC vents. Do any vacuum hoses exist in our 850(s) underneath the dash?Should I replace all vacuum hoses enderneath the dash or wait til later? Q-06) Eliminating Rattles and Sqeeks. We anti-rattled/squeeked the dash with pipe insulation from Lowes, and some peel and seal type material, quiet as a whiste within the day I've driven the car.Other thing that I can think of doing-- cleaning and wiping dust out of AC/Heater vents and ducts. -- cleaning AC water drain hose.-- cleaning Sunroof water drain hose.What else should I do while everything is apart? -- cleaning inside of climate control unitFrom Tom's postTake this opportunity to clean out the inside of the climate control unit which is accessible when the evaporator is out.-- replace sun visors (if sagging)The electrical connector for the vanity mirror is buried underneath the dash.--------------------------------------------------------------------------01) Bay 13 Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=873902) Make sure to mark position of steering wheel on column before removinghttp://www.picturetrail.com/gid1858370http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=823503) VS Tom's Ultimate Evap Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=2732304) VS Evap Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=3025905) VS Evap Proc --More--http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=3510106) VS Heater Core Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=3544507) prasamin's Evap Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=4998508) stkelly's Evap PicturesI think I got the Yahoo briefcase worked out. Here are the links for the 5 zip files. If you have trouble linking to them from here, just e-mail me and I'll e-mail you the link directly from Yahoo.Evap Zipped Pic Set 1http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.c...rc=bcEvap Zipped Pic Set 2http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.c...rc=bcEvap Zipped Pic Set 3http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.c...rc=bcEvap Zipped Pic Set 4http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.c...rc=bcEvap Zipped Pic Set 5http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.c...rc=bc09) NateB Heater Core Infohttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=2677710) Modus Heater Core Procedureshttp://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=9717 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin390 Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 the evap cores tend to rot after 8-9 years because there is a design flaw that Volvo semi-corrected with the installation of a cabin air filter. crap (dust, dirt, debris) clog up the evap core and hold mosture on the fins and let it oxidize and weaken. when you replace the core put the cabin air filter on it (~35.00) from FCP it should help prolong the life some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM850R Posted July 24, 2006 Report Share Posted July 24, 2006 Volvo didnt engineer our A/C system. GM did.You might as well do anything that you can while youre in there. I would get to the bulbs in the dash so you dont have to worry about them later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prasamin Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 like Will stated, install a cabin filter housing and filter to prolong the life of the evap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert213 Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 the evap cores tend to rot after 8-9 years because there is a design flaw that Volvo semi-corrected with the installation of a cabin air filter. crap (dust, dirt, debris) clog up the evap core and hold mosture on the fins and let it oxidize and weaken. when you replace the core put the cabin air filter on it (~35.00) from FCP it should help prolong the life some. OK, now that I have seen several photos of the box where the evaporator is enclosed, I see how debris accumulates along the bottom of the evaporator. This debris traps moisture, causing the evaporator to oxidize (aluminum technically doesn't rust -- it oxidizes). If I removed all of the plastic cowling around the windshield wipers, is there enough clearance for me to take a shop-vac to vacuum out all of that debris? If so, after I have a new evaporator installed, I will inspect and vacuum out this area routinely. Of course, I will be purchasing a Cabin Filter Add-on Kit (something like this) from FCP Groton or IPDUSA...http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.aspx?Cat...&RootID=629 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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