Replacing Evaporator

[Terminator]

The evaporator in my 1999 V70R has developed a leak and needs replacing (aircon specialist diagnosis) which I understand means the dash has to come out, unless anyone knows of an effective shortcut - leak fixers did not work)!

Has anyone tackled this job and can share any hints and tips as I have been quoted megabucks in labour to complete this job (part costs about £150 labour around £600 plus VAT) and was thinking of having a go myself to remove the dash?

Thanks,

T.

[Dacvolvo]

Here's how to do it on a 850 - http://www.woodjoiner.com/volvo/VolvoEvapReplace.pdf

[Terminator]

Many thanks - what an excellent write up!

I now just need to find the time to do it!

[siamblue]

You need to find someone that has taken a dash out before, If you are a novice then you wont know when to pull and what not to pull,
I would say if your car is mint and you want to keep it that way then pay someone, If you don't mind pieces being prised out then go for it yourself,

Gary.

PS I am sure someone on here had a evaporator changed and they did the job themselves,

[dp3000]

I did my evaporator a month ago and used the link above as well as my Haynes manual and a Volvo disc I bought of the net. The job is not hard just time consuming and you will need someone to help you. The only specialist tool required is the a/c hose removal tool, I borrowed one off another member.

It could be done in a day if you had done one before and had help. I started mine on a Wednesday evening by doing everything that had to be done under the bonnet, disconnecting a/c hoses, removing wiper motor and loosening the firewall mount for the heater hoses, spent about an hour. Thursday night I took all the bits like the centre consul, steering wheel surround, glove box etc out, about an hour. I still needed to be able to move my car so at this stage I hadn’t disconnected the battery. I took the Friday off work and positioned my car so I could have both doors open. I then disconnected the battery and removed the airbag and steering wheel. After that the dash came out with the help of my father in-law.

You then undo the bolts holding the heater box but you don't need to remove it completely from the car. You can pull the left hand side out to get at the evaporator. When I removed the evaporator it was obvious it was leaking as there was green dye and pump oil everywhere.

I had the dash back in Friday afternoon and took it down Saturday morning to have a shop regass it. It is still working perfectly 5-6 weeks later.

The longest single job was undoing and later doing up the two T25 screws that hold the heater hoses to the firewall. You can barely get at these and can only turn them a ¼ turn at a time.

If you need advice PM me and I’ll give you a number to call me on.

[Terminator]

DP3000 - Fancy an all expenses paid trip to West Sussex and free food and beer to give me a hand as I cannot see Mrs T buying into the programme?!!

[dp3000]

Ha! It takes me months to plan a free weekend to work on my own car, let alone convince my wife!

[nobananas]

I've done mine on my 850 and as has been said it's really not that bad a job, the dash comes out complete after undoing the bolts under the wiper panel (and a few others inside) and you don't even have to remove switches etc as everything's connected with a couple of big muliplugs so you leave it all in.

[Terminator]

I've done mine on my 850 and as has been said it's really not that bad a job, the dash comes out complete after undoing the bolts under the wiper panel (and a few others inside) and you don't even have to remove switches etc as everything's connected with a couple of big muliplugs so you leave it all in.

Ah.... you make it sound so easy!

I have now ordered the part - £71 from USA including delivery and will let you know how I get on. I shall also be replacing the receiver/drier which looks very straight forward.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.