HELP: Changing A/C Evaporator Core

[timleedude]

Hi Everyone! I have a 1999 Explorer 5.0 V8 Automatic. My A/C is not working & mechanic says A/C Evaporator Core is Leaking and will cost an ARM and A LEG for labor. The dash would have to be removed. I was thinking of changing it out myself. Is there anyone that can give me tips and hints of doing this? Also, what else should I do while doing the Evaporator? I was thinking to change the Heator Core, possibly changing/upgrading the Blower Air Mixing Door (or whatever it's called), and also changing out the DASH bulbs since my Fuel Guage bulb is out. Anything else I should replace?
Also, any special tools I need other than the usual stuff?
Your Assistance would be very helpful.. Thanks


-Tim

 

[reserved50]

* oh god I was on crack when i typed the first part lol, yea its on the engine compartment side of the firewall, the evap core


search for removal of the heater box when they change the blend door, exact same way, I think the 98 ups had the door problem fixed? You can replace the heater core with another ford one<---good safe bet

 

[fobrnno]

to change the evap. you don't have to touch the dash. it can be done all from under the hood. now if you want to change the heater core you'll need too remove the dash assy.

 

[Turdle]

BTW
It is usually the Accumulator bottle which leaks ( bottle thingy with a coiled line on it), look for rust under the foam lining on it---it is the next in line
component to the evaporator core.

I am not saying the evaporator isn't leaking though.
Evaporator can easliy be removed from under the hood.

you need some long 1/4" extensions, a u joint, and 10mm, 8mm sockets. Remove the silver heat covering from engine side of blower housing, you will see the screws holding the evap core cover.
Good luck

 

[timleedude]

JTSMITH,

Once removing the evap core cover under the blower housing, I'm assuming I would disconnect the connections from the evap core (in the engine compartment) and then the evap core should pull out from under the dash? Is this correct?

Another question: do I have to remove the whole dash to change the Fuel Guage light bulb? Any simpler method for that?

Thanks
-Tim

BTW
It is usually the Accumulator bottle which leaks ( bottle thingy with a coiled line on it), look for rust under the foam lining on it---it is the next in line
component to the evaporator core.

I am not saying the evaporator isn't leaking though.
Evaporator can easliy be removed from under the hood.

you need some long 1/4" extensions, a u joint, and 10mm, 8mm sockets. Remove the silver heat covering from engine side of blower housing, you will see the screws holding the evap core cover.
Good luck

 

[Turdle]

JTSMITH,

Once removing the evap core cover under the blower housing, I'm assuming I would disconnect the connections from the evap core (in the engine compartment) and then the evap core should pull out from under the dash? Is this correct?

Another question: do I have to remove the whole dash to change the Fuel Guage light bulb? Any simpler method for that?

Thanks
-Tim

oops
no
it disconnects from under hood, remove from under hood also.
It is just sitting in the blower housing, look for the coiled metal line on top passenger side-follow it into the blower housing. look straight down from there and you see where the high pressure line comes out.

See it now?

That blower housing comes apart--sideways.
the side toward engine ( under the foil looking cover) comes off, revealing the evaporator.

 

[timleedude]

Update: I changed the Evaporator and Accumulator from the engine compartment. While trying to disconnect the A/C lines, I found out I needed the plastic ring tool to disconnect the lines, went to the auto parts store to get it, and everything was changed. Now I have to get the system Evacuated and Filled. Hope nothing will leak. Thanks to everyone for helping.

PS: I downloaded the Explorer CDROM Manual from www.fordcds.com and it was very helpful , full of diagrams.

-Tim

 

[Turdle]

Question,
Did the new evaporator come with a new orifice-filter?
It is a hidden part, just making sure you relaced it also---

 

[timleedude]

I had to buy a new Orifice Filter seperately and put it into the new Evaporator. Thanks for asking.

-Tim