A/C Evaporator Core

[280~Master]

So I had the AC going for a while and now have a leak in the Evaporator core.

Just wondering if anyone had this problem and did they try to fix theres?

If so, what did you do? and how did you do it? Welding, JB Weld, Iron on patches, Needle and thread ECT.

I know MSA has them for 179, the other parts stores want in the 290 dollar range for a new one.

Any ideas or advice would be great.

[sblake01]

You might try posing that question to an AC shop. Lots of pressure runs through the evaporator core so any repair would have to be done well. I've never repaired one myself but I imagine it could be done.

[doradox]

It can be professionally repaired, sometimes. But with all the trouble to remove, replace,evacuate and recharge you'd hate to have it fail again. I'd buy a new one.

Steve

[280~Master]

I may end up getting a new one. After 30 years they are bound to have week spots.

[Yellow78]

So did you replace the evaporator? I just had the front end of the A/C replace and now it look like the evaporator on my 280z has a leak. I have also gone with 134a.

[Wade Nelson]

Gradual contamination of the AC charge with water results in the production of acids within the system. Those eat the core and the condensor from the inside out.

TIG weld one hole closed and you'll have another one next week.

Suggest you replace both, get a good system evacuation, and then recharge the system. Holding the system under vacuum for a sufficient amount of time will "boil out" any water in the system. A good AC shop is invaluable; honestly, there are LOTS of shops who have an "AC machine" but the techs don't have a clue what they're doing. I know, caused I worked at several of them. You want a guy who's been working on AC systems SINCE the R-12 days...

[hr369]

you meant msa has them for 279 not 179 right? I thought damn thats cheap so went to their website
to check if they had a sale.

Now is your opportunity to get away from
the nla expansion valve and go generic aftermarket.
Or if you have any 79-81 evap cores laying around
try them to see if they fit. They look pretty close
in size looking at pictures.

[sblake01]

you meant msa has them for 279 not 179 right? I thought damn thats cheap so went to their website to check if they had a sale.

Remember that post is 5 years old. They might have been 179 then.

[hr369]

Had a good laugh when you pointed out the date on that original post.


My god if that was the price back then i had better
stock up on parts now. With a double digit inflation rate i don't think i can afford to drive mine in 10 years.

[Willoughby Z]

I recently purchased this evaporator w/ expansion valve.
74 75 76 77 78 Datsun Nissan 260z 280z A C Evaporator Core with Expansion Valve | eBay

[blkprlz]

Suggest you replace both, get a good system evacuation, and then recharge the system. Holding the system under vacuum for a sufficient amount of time will "boil out" any water in the system.

Excellent recommendation!
I find the big mistake with HVAC co's. is 'time is money' & they don't pull a vacuum long enough to evacuate all contaminants. I don't know if timing is comparable between home & auto systems but I like to pull the vacuum for a good 3 hrs. before releasing the charge.