Dropped the truck off at a local shop to gave the A/C looked at. They just called and said it looks like it's the evap core that is leaking, and she said I was looking at about $1k *miniumum* in repair costs. now, I understand there is labor to remove the dash, stereo, etc. then reinstall all of that... but the price seems WAY out of line to me.

I just stopped by AutoZone and was quoted $118 for an evap core. I already paid for a flush and charge (which they did not find the leak *that* time) so we are talking upwards of $1k in labor alone on this job not counting the re-fill.

Huh?

I'd normally think of doing this myself, but I have a road trip Thursday and no time between now and then to do the work.

Does this sound kooky to anyone else? are there more parts incolved in this that I am not seeing yet?

I told her to work up an actual quote with parts pricing for me and call me back, so I should know something shortly.

Thoughts? Comments?

 

I do not know how big a job it is on our trucks to get to the evaporator.

I had a Taurus that had the same problem a few years ago and I was quoted almost $1000.00 to have it fixed at the local Ford dealer. I did the job myself and it took all day one Saturday to finish.

This is not a job for someone who will get in a hurry. I had to remove the steering wheel and the dash to get to it and I would not like to do it again. You will need exact instructions of how to proceed.

Daniel

 

One more point, if you are not sure of the integrity of this shop, get another opinion.

Daniel

 

What's the labor rate in your area? The book says something like 8+ hours for the heater core or evap core job. Someone who has done it before can usually do it in half that time.
While you're in there, put a heater core in it too. It is my understanding that Dodge is famous for bad evaps and heater cores. They were just junk, from the factory.
My advice, buy aftermarket, and put the heater core in also, while you are having it done.

Chris

 

I cant remember but im thinking mine took somewhere around 8 hours to do NOT including discharging and filling the system back up. At $70 an hour thats already $560 then add the parts. Evaporator ($130), filter/dryer ($80), R-134a (??), antifreeze (??). Your total is already up too $770 and I cant tell you what their markup is on the parts or what they charge to charge the system. I would say a grand is pretty darn close to what a shop would charge.

 

Thanks guys. Turns out there is a leak in the evap core and condenser too. Total for both and labor is gonna be $968. Not a great price, but understandable considering the labor involved to tear down the dash.

Oh well, sometimes you gotta pay if you don't have the time to do it yourself

 

I feel yer pain.......I'm getting ready to have to have mine replaced too.

 

Guys, It's not that hard!!!!! I changed mine in 4.5-5 hours. It's a lot easier than everyone talks about. If a person has a decent set of tools and works on his own car, he can do it!!!

I did mine last week $120 for evap at O'Rielly's and $60 for vaccum/recharge at garage. The air conditioning is so cold it hurts my bones in my shoulder and fogs the windows.

If you live in western NC I would help you.

 

That was about what the bill would've been for mine if the warranty hadn't covered it.

What kind of warranty will they give you on parts and workmanship ?? You could save by doing it yourself, but if you end up with a leak... you may be dishing out your savings to do it again.

***word of caution ... watch the over-torque on the dash screws. My entire dash is destroyed because they gorilla-handled it.

PISTOL

 

The job is not that hard, but if I were doing it for someone else, I'd charge about a grand as well.

After droping the steering column, and pulling a few other misc. things off, the entire dash rolls down. After that you pull the a/c box with the evap and heater core out. Disasemble that and then reverse the procedure.

I changed the evaporator, heater core, dryer, liqid line (because the orfice tube is crimped in it and is not servicable), the heater hoses, t-stat, and rad hoses. All of that took me about a day and a half. If I did it again I could do it all in 8 hours or so.

If you don't have the time, pay the grand and move on. A shop that has has to pay for the time, parts, and eqipment, a license to do a/c work....they deserve it. Plus, if it's not done right, YOU don't have to do it over again.

 

Thanks guys - truck is ready and I will pick it up tomorrow.

And the leak factor and lack of "me warranty" was the main reason I let someone else do it, beside the time involved.

 

I just had my AC charged today. It was 2 units low and they could not find a leak yet. I am bringing the truck back in one week. After reading all these posts, I am getting ready for the shock of the evaporator price. But at least it is ice cold for now.

Bob

 

I dropped ~$1200 at the dealer a couple of weeks ago after driving all last year with no AC.
All better now.

 

I did mine also wasnt bad if you study the directions before you start its alright. Only thing when starting back i had to go get rubber seal to go around evap other than that not to bad i would gladly do it for that kind of $$$$$
Cookieman

 

My question is how is the dash removed. This process seems to be more time consuming than it does technically difficult. Once the a/c box is out, split it, remove and replace the evaporator, reinstall.

But where can I find instructions on removing the dash?