<tom_sawyer70@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184097541.972233.178600@n2g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
> The A/C in our vehicle is not blowing cold air. Last year, we had it
> tested and there were no leaks found, but after refilling the system,
> it blew hot air again within a couple of days. We took it in again
> today and it was diagnosed as an evaporator core problem and we'll
> need to have it replaced. I would suspect that taking out the dash is
> more than I probably care to take on myself.
>
> At work, we were discussing A/C systems in automobiles and more people
> than not expressed regret that once they started replacing one or two
> components (the evaporater core being popular), that in the near
> future other A/C components began to fail as well. The regret was
> that if they had it to do over again, once the A/C went, they would
> have rather have either traded the car at that time, or just lived
> without the A/C.
>
> So the car is almost 10 years old and I'm at a bit of a crossroads,
> balancing the cost of replacing the evaporator and anything else,
> versus finding a new car. Obviously, $900 or whatever the cost is to
> have the A/C fixed is significant compared to what I might be able to
> sell the car for and is less expensive than the monthly payment of a
> new car.
>
> But I wanted to ask those of you familiar with these cars for your
> experience and advice. Is the A/C fix something that I should
> reconsider? Is there anything else that I should have them do while
> they have the dashboard out, considering that the car is almost 10
> years old and this would be an opportunity in the event that you might
> suggest something along the lines of, "if you replace component x, you
> should also replace y, which is likely to go next"?
>
> This is the first major problem that we've had, so I'm not "fed up"
> with the car nor do I necessarily want to sell it (actually, I'd
> rather not). I'm just considering my options.
>
> TIA,
> Dave
>
>
Also consider option C. Some people have reported success with sealer/charge
kits. I would not recommend it for a system that may ever be on a "fix"
list, but if this is a last ditch scenario it can't hurt.

Mike

<tom_sawyer70@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1184246172.947362.61670@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> On Jul 11, 1:05 am, "Michael Pardee" <michaeltn...@cybertrails.com>
> wrote:
>>
>> Also consider option C. Some people have reported success with
>> sealer/charge
>> kits. I would not recommend it for a system that may ever be on a "fix"
>> list, but if this is a last ditch scenario it can't hurt.
>>
>> Mike-
>
> Mike -
> If the evaporator is bad, then how would the sealer/charge help? Or,
> do you believe
> that maybe the evaporator has a leak that the sealer would fix?
>
> Why would you not try the sealer/charge first, prior to a fix?
>
> Dave
>
>
>
The usual evaporator failure is a pinhole leak (or more than one) caused by
corrosive build-up on the outer surface. I have seen one post of the sealer
working but that is all I know about it.

Sealers don't do anything good to the inside of the system, kind of like
radiator sealers (ugh!) If the system is never going to be taken for a real
repair that doesn't matter, but it could add quite a bit to the cost of a
professional repair.

Mike