DIY Evaporator Cleaning

All of this is because of no cabin air filter by Toyota, who in the 2005 & on models, installed cabin air filters that you could add a wire mesh to that would stop the mice from ever getting into the inlet air to start with. The engine air filter had the same problem, but I could install the expanded mesh stainless steel grid myself due to having access to the air duct. No more mice in the air filter.

 

Just completed this task. Was able to vacuum out some moldy needles.
Curious if anyone can tell me what this white material is. Thought maybe some kind of moisture absorber.

 

That is a ceramic material they use to encapsulate the resistors & fuse to protect it from the environment. It will take a hammer to break it open, but unless it is burned out, DON'T as it destroys it & you have to buy a new one!

 

Ahhh. Makes sense. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the how to. Just did my 99 yesterday and boy did it need it!

 

took out the blower motor...it was full and been running all winter...so was looking where to start...found yours Oh man this is killer!!!! you da man

 

Glad this was was resurrected. I bet this is where the musty smell is coming from. Going to tackle this asap.

 

Thanks for bumping this. Never realized it was that easy to split the box open. I've taken the fan out, was full of pine needles.

 

Very good post! Decided to clean the evaporator today to get ready for A/C use and was initially pleased not to see much filth to be removed. Just as an afterthought, I decided to put the shopvac on the evaporator box drain hose inside the engine compartment to remove any dirt/debris in the hose. After putting suction on the drain hose, I also blew the drain line out back toward the evaporator. Glad I did because a large amount of debris was hiding inside the evaporator box down by the drain which required vacuuming/blowing out the inside of the evaporator box again. Had to repeat the process several times to get all the debris out. .02

 

Just curious why this is called an evaporator on these trucks. A lot of weird terminology that doesn't seem to make sense to me.

 

in the refrigeration cycle where the refrigerant changes from liquid to gas is the evaporator taking in heat from the air
and the condenser is where the refrigerant give the heat to the air and condenses back into a liquid

 

Oh, I thought this was the heater core we were looking at.

 

Great write up. Found 27 years worth of dirt and plant + a bonus rag with duct tape!
Bump for the 1st gen owners & the 3rd gen T4R’s who need to know!
Very easy, and I’m sure will make daily driving much better as the months warm up.

 

@ControlCar

 

Holy Crap
I’m going to do this on the taco AND 98 Subaru RSTi!!!!!!!