Evaporator replacement

I was just given the bad news that the evaporator in my 10' double cab has bit the dust. It has 77K miles on it, so that adds insult to injury. I was figuring it'd last at least until over 100k, but stuff happens. I was quoted $1500 by a small shop and $2200 by the stealership. The stealership told me it would be 14.3hrs, He has to put 2 techs on it because it's an all day job. The small shop told me 8hrs plus parts and vac/recharge. At that price, I've got no choice but to replace it myself. I know it's not a necessity...let's be real...I'm fat and sweat a lot. I like to be cool while I'm on the road.

Are there any manuals online that give direction on how to do this? Or does one of you have a pdf you'd be willing to toss my way? I have the capability to do it, I'm just trying to avoid breaking stuff and decreasing the amount of time I'll be working on it.

 

That's bull! Not an all day job more like 45 minutes by yourself

And just go get another Evap can from a junkyard for ~$50 and DYI

 

Drop the spare tire so you can sit under there. Don't even need to jack up the truck

 

Dashes in Tacomas suck ass. Best bet is to get a buddy to help you. The way we do them is one guy on each half of the truck. Secure the steering wheel with masking tape so it doesn’t spin around when you remove the steering column assembly. Disconnect the battery way before hand to disarm the airbags. A zip gun will be handy. As well as plastic pry bars and a shit ton of patience. Get some more tape to write on wiring pigtails where everything goes if you have a bad memory. Take your time and have fun. I have done a bunch of dashboard removals. Toyotas and cadillacs are the hardest

 

I think he means the evaporator core. Inside the dash

 

What specifically is wrong with the evaporator coil?

Leak?

 

Jimmyh~Yeah, the evaporator core is leaking. Vac/recharge/Dyed and it wouldn’t last a Day. There was no external sign of leaking. They told me they pulled the blower motor and looked in there. They said there’s dye everywhere.
Bebop ~ You’re right...they suck.

I have the ability to do the job, I’m just frustrated I suppose. I’ve been looking all over today at how-to vids on removing components from the dash. Should be quite entertaining.

 

If you can find a shop to do the water evaporating and recharge and pressure check for around 50 bucks it's worth doing part replacement yourself. I got my condenser core from AutoZone for something like 150. Its was a perfect fit. Its been in truck for many years now. A small shop behind my NAPA did the water line evape and recharge. Toyota wanted a 1000.00 just for part.

 

Are you kidding.. It's hot as balls!

 

Condenser? Water line? Wat?

 

Are you thinking heater core? Similar but totally different.

 

Just extremely time consuming, I can get you some factory Toyota instructions on removal but it's more trial and error and keeping your head on your shoulders when you get frustrated.

 

If the OP was in Houston I would give him a hand with the R&R of the evap core. It’s not bad. Just tedious

 

45 minutes ? remove spare ? what are you talking about? The whole dash has to come apart.

 

failure to really read op's post here

 

OKTaco, I'd appreciate the instructions. I know it's going to take a while, I'm hoping not to break anything in the process.
I ordered the parts, as soon as they get here I'm going to attack it. I'm thinking about setting up my GoPro and maybe doing a time lapse. At the very least I'm going to take a bunch of pictures. Finding information has been difficult.

 

I'll wish you well OP and good luck. I'm at the age now that I wouldn't tackle it, I'd rather pay the big bucks for someone else to be annoyed.

 

OP, I've done the job and by myself. I can tell you that it would be a good idea to also get a new thermistor (approx. $10) for the evaporator because it can't be replaced without tearing the whole dash out, and its an electrical sensor after all.

What you will be up against is not hard but time consuming. For a first timer I would recommend that you get a bunch of colored markers, baggies, and take a lot of pics as organization -- and patience -- are everything for this particular job for a first timer. Do not try to push it, go slow and take breaks to study what has been done. I took blue masking tape and marked every single piece with markers and bagged every single fastener. You will also have to discharge the system so now would be the time to get all the OEM seals and reseal the system as well.

You will also be taking the HVAC box apart and the heater core lives next to the evap. core so make sure you inspect the heater core.

I ended up taking out everything including the steering wheel and pedals. Don't let this scare you as I liked the increased room to work and its pretty easy stuff to remove and replace. I'm sure the pros can do the job without removing this stuff

There is a got-ya to be aware of. Try not to mess with the cams beneath the mode control servo (they drive several flaps inside the HVAC box) as it can be tough to reclock and get them in sync. Just be aware of this.

 

Air conditioning evaporator.

 

Here’s one of a highlander I did a while back. Similar.