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A/C evaporator question
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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:18 pm    Post subject: A/C evaporator question Reply with quote

I have a 91 Carat with factory installed A/C or dealer installed, as to not start the argument about the factory never installed A/C's, and had a couple of questions. Is the evaporator suppose to be mounted to roof with the evaporator housing clam shelled around it? Is the water drain tray attached to the evap housing.

Reasons for asking, I had the high low pressure switch replaced and when I got the van back there was a large crack on the bottom of the evap housing underneath the driver's side speaker. Once the van started cooling down it was obvious that the water drain tray was not catching the condensation and was now dripping down threw the crack.

The passenger side is draining properly.

I decided to investigate further and remove the evap housing and take a look and I'm glad I had that thing supported because it came down like a ton of bricks and the evaporator was not attached to the ceiling. I also notice the the driver's side drain tube went through some sort of housing up to the water drain tray which seemed to be attached the to evap housing. This was all done by feel because I couldn't figure out how to get the dang thing down by myself and I need my a/c working on my daily driver.

Any ideas on how to not make my van the Maid of the Mist attaction?
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denwood
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PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Normally the tray floats below, and the evaporator should be held up by two brackets that the rear evap screen also bolts to. You may want to look at a few of my posts on the redtek DIY thread, last few pages for a mod to attach the tray to the evaporator, and route channels in the wood work so the tray and lines can go in before the evap housing.
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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for reply will search for thread. I will follow up, I'm wondering if its a after market replacement evap.
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denwood
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

On the factory evap unit you have four bolts holding it up. This picture from Hansh shows one side. The two larger holes (empty) at the extreme right on this photo indicate a large washer/bolt assembly that goes to nut inserts in the ceiling. Four in total. If someone has drilled out the rivets holding this bracket to evaporator...then it would just fall out. Either way, the evaporator housing wood bits are not constructed adequately to safely restrain the evaporator IMHO. Corners are just stapled/glued and mine had to be reinforced.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The evaporator does not attach to the roof. It is mounted to the clam shell.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

At this point it doesn't matter. I have no AC and I live in Florida and I'm hosed until I figure this out.

Broken water tray drain tube PO fix but now is the root of my problem along with other stuff.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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denwood
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PostPosted: Thu Jul 11, 2013 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

apologies...missed the fact that you were driving a carat...westy setup is different.
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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 12:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh no worries just venting out frustrations. It's the Bentley's fault page 87.9 at bottom says from 1986 and pg 87.12 at bottom says from 1986 as well but doesn't specify it if is a camper or tin top. I have decided to get some gauges after work and put another belt back on and check before I take it in. Problem is now I have to search and see what a normal reading would be on the dials. Heck I've had to learn every other system on these vans might as well add A/C to list. Very Happy

Thanks again
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dhaavers
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 4:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

(As Terry Kay might say)...keep in mind that Bentley is not an AC manual.
AC is a separate system and can be studied on it's own.

Get yourself an AC manual if you are planning to break into AC work...

Haynes manual on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Heating-Condition...r=8-3&

Free PDF, but all temps in Celsius:
http://www.ariazone.com/manuals/Automotive%20Air%20Conditioning%20Training%20Manual.pdf
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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for pdf link!
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vanis13
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hippiepilot wrote:
Thanks for pdf link!
Ditto!
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hippiepilot
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So here's what I did to fix the evap water drain tray and evap housing. Although I'm sure it's been posted before, but what the hay.
Before pics
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

After pics. I basically used a soldering iron to melt the broken pieces/ cracks back together and then used JB plastic weld to re-enforce it and now when I run the A/C the condensation actually runs down the pillars.
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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dhaavers
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

^^^ DRIP-BUSTERS!!!

Laughing Laughing Laughing

Nice work!
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