AC Evaporator Install

Good morning all. I believe I have to face the daunting task to replace the Evaporator in my 15 Taco. It was blowing hot air and it was recharged about a week ago. Started today blowing hot air. Leak detection liquid was added by the mechanic, but need to go back today so he can see if anything is seen in the engine bay leaking. My gut is telling me the evaporator coil as I was smelling the oil smell within the cabin for sometime. I still went ahead and ordered myself a leak detector and will remove the radio today and see if it can detect anything behind it.

I am aware on how to remove the dash and how tedious it is, but I have not found exactly how to do the evaporator install. I know it should be straight forward from the videos and forums I have read, but what throw me off was about adding oil to what I believe was the evaporator in one of the threads I saw. Also not to wait too long between removing the old and installing the new. Any feedback on these steps would be greatly appreciated.

Something else I am unsure of is what should I be replacing while the dash is out. I read to replace the evaporator, gaskets, heater core and evaporator sensor I believe. Not sure about the heater core as I hardly use my heater down here in SFLA.

Either way, any further guidance would greatly be appreciated. Thank you

 

I replaced the evaporator and heater core, and im in Arizona. Why not. You’re in there.

 

Easier to pop out the glove box than to pull the radio to get the leak detector in there. It might even go in that way from just opening the glove box and shoving it in over the top.

 

If there's dye in the system look at the A/C drain with a UV light and see if there's dye coming out of it.

If your going in there it wouldn't hurt to do the heater core too as coolant circulates through it all the time even when you aren't using it.

I'd use OE parts if you can, aftermarket ones are hit or miss on quality and fitment.

 

Can someone assist me in better understanding post 36 on the thread link below? I am not sure the process to fill the compressor oil or if I even need this step. Any guidance appreciated.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leak-in-evaporator-core.666054/page-2

Also if there remains any refrigerant in the system, do I need to remove it before doing the evaporator install? Aside from taking it to a mechanic, is there any proper DIY way to remove it?

 

Yes, the refrigerant needs to be recovered. To DIY it you need an $$$ machine. Better to take it to a shop and have them pull it out. But if it has already leaked out you are good to go. Since it went from working to not in a week you have a pretty good leak, but probably not big enough to dump it all so far.

 

Service info says add 1.4oz of oil to the system when replacing evaporator, there's no need to put a full system charge of oil in unless replacing/flushing all components.

Yes the refrigerant should be recovered before opening the system, there is no proper way to do it without an A/C machine. You will also need to pull a vacuum on the system before recharging it when you are done.

 

Thank you all. Let me see if I find a local mechanic that will recover the refrigerant and then recharge it after I complete the install. Wish me luck...

 

The issue you may run into is that a pro mechanic may be reluctant to charge a system not having done the work himself to know that it won't leak down in a few weeks. But you might get lucky. Maybe you should ask him to do a leak check and charge. First step after this kind of work is to either pressure test with nitrogen or do a vacuum leak down test before you charge. That would cost more than a quick charge, tho.

 

If I go down the route to recharge the system as I can get my hands on a vacuum pump and gauges, how do I got about getting the oil into the compressor? And what type of oil should be used?

 

Been awhile since I did one of these but IIRC you drain and measure the oil out of the old compressor then add that much new oil to the new compressor before you install it. Unless the new compressor comes prefilled with it's own oil. Plus the 1.4 oz for the evaporator. I don't recall the oil spec for Toyotas since I never had to touch my Tacoma AC in 15 years.

The other thing I didn't see discussed here is the condenser. IIRC Tacoma has the receiver/drier built into the condenser, so that really needs to be replaced, too. And maybe some more oil for that.

These guys have lots of useful information:

Automotive AC Parts, Supplies & Tools. Online Store - ... (ackits.com)

 

PAG 46, just put it in the line or in one of the ports on the evaporator. It will find it's home as the oil circulates through the system with the refrigerant.

 

That's if you are changing the compressor only, when changing other components you generally follow the amounts specified in service info.

 

Don't these trucks also need the condenser replaced to get a new receiver/drier?

 

Yes and while you technically should replace it any time the system is opened they rarely do get replaced except if they are leaking or the system is being replaced due to a compressor failure.
As long as you cap the lines while the system is opened and pull a good vacuum when you are done there should be very minimal moisture getting in the system.

 

I am not replacing the compressor as it is working just fine. So if I cap the two lines going into the firewall, I do or do not need to add oil to the system?

 

You still need to add oil to make up for replacing the evaporator, capping the lines prevents dirt and moisture from entering the system.

 

Can I use this same pag 46 oil to lubricate the new o-rings or I have to get a gasket/threat sealant type lubricate. Or dielectric grease. Just completing my purchase list of things to buy.

 

I just ran the detector through the glove box. Goes crazy right behind the air filter box as you can see from the picture. So expansion valve or evaporator?

 

So I decided last night to get under the car to see with the UV light what I could see and if any leaks around compressor. I did find large amounts of small dots lighting up around the compressor as well as the dye detected from the evaporator discharge hose. It is obvious that the evaporator is leaking between the dye detector and signal detector in cabin, but would the large amounts of small dye dots around compressor mean that the compressor is also leaking? Thanks