Dash is out! Next step to get to the A/C evaporator?

[truwarrior]

I have the dash out of the way, trying to find a way to get to the evaporator to check for leaks else removal if I still can't find the leak. Any sugguests on where to go from here? I see a couple bolts holding the evaporator up, but I don't removing them will take out the box since there is piping etc... Anyone know where the fittings are located and how to access them for removal/inspection?

Thank you!

 

[pj91gsx]

first take off the bolts to the ac lines in the engine bay to the a/c box in the car. Then unbolt the cores and pull them both out.

 

[liquidz28]

Z my favorite part.
j/k i hate it with the passion!

anyways, there is nuts on the bottom of the black "CONTAINERS" JUST UNDER THE WHITE DASH REINFORCEMENT. sorry about the caps, i have to use caps at work or the prog i use will not recognize my text,
anyways, on the top and bottom of those black containers just above the passenger foot area there will be a couple nuts that go on studs that are welded to the wall, also there is a couple up top. getting this stuff OUT is a breeze, getting it back in and lined up probably takes me a good hour, talk about a pain in the rear. but ya, soon as you get that container outa there your smooth sailing. i''m headed home right now, ill check back when get home.

 

[truwarrior]

Cores? Is the heater core and the A/C core in the same box?

 

[truwarrior]

Z my favorite part.
j/k i hate it with the passion!

anyways, there is nuts on the bottom of the black "CONTAINERS" JUST UNDER THE WHITE DASH REINFORCEMENT. sorry about the caps, i have to use caps at work or the prog i use will not recognize my text,
anyways, on the top and bottom of those black containers just above the passenger foot area there will be a couple nuts that go on studs that are welded to the wall, also there is a couple up top. getting this stuff OUT is a breeze, getting it back in and lined up probably takes me a good hour, talk about a pain in the rear. but ya, soon as you get that container outa there your smooth sailing. i''m headed home right now, ill check back when get home.

Wow I just posted a recieved a couple responces already. That's awesome!

Ok so we have:
1. unbolt lines from engine bay (do I have to remove the battery to get access or go under the car?)
2. unbolt nuts on top and bottom of container and it should slide out without having to remove the fans motor or anything else?

 

[truwarrior]

I also might have a found a leak, very hard to tell for sure though since it was under a pad after the high pressure fill port, see link http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...d-right-after-high-pressure-fill-port-ac.html

 

[liquidz28]

Yowzers, glue?
i assume your system is discharged, if so you can use a regular tire inflater pump to listen for leaks, obviously check the glued sector . make sure you you have the right tools to remove the lines, otherwise you will cause ireparible damage to the fittings on your condensor. but ya, your 3/4 of the way done, then the journey begins....putting all that crap back togeather and it working...pray you diddnt break something else while removing the dash.

 

[liquidz28]

here's a pic from when i did mine .....

 

[truwarrior]

If I put the steering wheel back on will the car start so I can get it back to CarX and have them check it out where the pad was on the high pressure line? I don't want to put compressed air into becuase I don't' want to inject any water into the system and not sure if I have the right fittings, etc.

Thank you.

 

[liquidz28]

hmmm, if it leaks, theres allready water there, from condensation.
what you could do is have someone pick up you a couple cans of the recharge crap and just fill er up, if you plan to drive the car you gotta put it back togeather before doing so.
if you where to get into an accedent with all your dash off, it would hurt BAD especially if your face is deflected by the airbag. your call, but ya, you can drive w/o a dash.

dumb question tho, why diddnt you get it tested before diving into the dash like an olympic skydiver?

 

[1stGenTSi]

That is not your leak, guaranteed. That IS glue. It would be oily to the touch and the dye would still be visible. And it's not a common leak spot that they put foam on as a "band-aid." All vehicle manufacturers put some kind of protective padding on the lines anywhere they may be prone to rubbing on something or excessive heat. And as for tearing into the dash to find an a/c leak, I'm afraid your going to be disappointed. The evaporator is not a common spot for a leak to develop. What you need to do is find a refrigerant leak detector that you can borrow. Then fill the system with a can or two of 134, and go over the whole a/c system with the detector. Common places for leaks are; suction/discharge ports on compressor (where the hoses go in) the middle seam of compressor, the condensor, the schrader valves in the service ports, it's also common to see a hole get rubbed in a metal line. If you put plenty of dye in the system then you should find green somewhere. Good luck.

 

[truwarrior]

Ok, that's the closest thing I could fine. Well looks like the whole system is coming out tomorrow then. The system had a triple dose of dye and I can't find any sign of a leak. The only spot I can't see is the evaporator in the plastic houseing. While I take it a part I may find it and post back. I think I'll start with the condensor else the evaporator (so I can get my dash back togeather) and move around from there.

Thanks for the help guys! Looks like the leak wins this one but atleast I dropped some weight .

 

[pj91gsx]

There is a ac gas that you can buy that is supposed to be a certain color so you will know where it leaks. I personally took out my whole ac.

 

[truwarrior]

Got the compressor out without damaging anything else! My advice would be to place a jack under the oil pan and put a little pressure on the pan, then remove the engine mount bolt from the mount. After that move any misc sensors and brake fluid container off to the side. I found it very helpful to remove the three bolts from the coolant looking sensor from the intake manifold and push it off to where it won't get in the way. Next unbolt the compressor an move it up and out, I went with the pulley side down. Had to wiggle it around a bit. Jack the engine up as needed. I didn't have to go more then about 1" up.

With all the weight added up, including bolts, orings, etc, I found it to be 34 pounds off the car. The only part left is the brace. Does the FWD have the same brace as the AWD car? I've read about a spacer having to be used when removing the brace?

Thank you!

 

[truwarrior]

Bracket and it's 4 bolts permently out of the car. Weighed in at 8 pounds bringing the total up to 42 pounds dropped. Not bad! Next project, o2 housing swap On the upside the SS o2 housing is half the weight of the stock 02 housing, i.e. about 3 pounds lighter!

 

[truwarrior]

Totally forgot to remove the AC fan. I pulled it off tonight and weighed in at just over 6 pounds, bringing the total AC removal weight up to 48 pounds! Also put on my o2 housing which wasn't to bad. I think the hardest part was pulling out the dip stick

 

[truwarrior]

Crap I pulled the wrong one out! Hope I don't have to pull the radiator out again to put it back in! I took on the one on the passenger side Back to the garage I go, kinda figured the bigger looking one would have been for the engine