Hi and thanks in advance. My parents just took their 2005 unlimited to the stealership and was told that the evaporator was bad and that its a $1400 bill. 8 hours of labor. So my question is is this a common problem? It if is is there a better after market part so that this does not happen again in 5 years? Thanks!
2005 Jeep wrangler evaporator $1400?
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You can always find after market parts. For something like an evaporator an after market part is fine. You can probably cut that bill in half by going to a local mechanic. Even a place like Tires Plus or a Fitrestone shop should cut it to under $1000 easily.
JHZR2
Staff member
I doubt the cost is the evaporator. if that is the whole bill, that is pretty normal, IMO. Pulling the dash to get to the evaporator is a big task.
Though sure seems premature....
Though sure seems premature....
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I doubt the cost is the evaporator. if that is the whole bill, that is pretty normal, IMO. Pulling the dash to get to the evaporator is a big task.
Though sure seems premature....
Its the premature part that makes me wonder if the stealership is being honest or not. Thats why im wondering if its a common problem with these vehicles? Part I have found online for $400 and the labor was quoted at 8 hours. And yes the whole dash must come off.
I doubt the cost is the evaporator. if that is the whole bill, that is pretty normal, IMO. Pulling the dash to get to the evaporator is a big task.
Though sure seems premature....
Its the premature part that makes me wonder if the stealership is being honest or not. Thats why im wondering if its a common problem with these vehicles? Part I have found online for $400 and the labor was quoted at 8 hours. And yes the whole dash must come off.
it's not a coincidence that you will see multiple chrysler vehicles with the windows open on the highway in the middle of summer 100 degree heat.
Chrysler A/C systems seem to have a high failure rate. I had to replace my condenser, evap, compressor over the years, but its working good the past 2 years.
Chrysler A/C systems seem to have a high failure rate. I had to replace my condenser, evap, compressor over the years, but its working good the past 2 years.
My 95 JGC evaporator went bye bye but, Chrysler extended the warranty to 5y/70K miles so it was covered. Cost then was $750 and the complete dash had to be removed. & hours buy the book but, mechanic did it in ~ 4.5 hours but, over flexing (not too much) some panels. Find a good independent to do it.
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: mcrn
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
A w123 dash can be removed far quicker than 9 hours (which would make 18 hours round trip). That was a rip.
Now to the point of the estimate. 8 hours is roughly $800. Plus a $400 part and you are at $1200. Add other parts, doing a full AC system service, receiver dryer, refrigerant, oil, etc., and Im sure youre there.
Some of the cheapo shops may replace the evaporator but may not take the right steps to service the WHOLE SYSTEM properly...
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
A w123 dash can be removed far quicker than 9 hours (which would make 18 hours round trip). That was a rip.
Now to the point of the estimate. 8 hours is roughly $800. Plus a $400 part and you are at $1200. Add other parts, doing a full AC system service, receiver dryer, refrigerant, oil, etc., and Im sure youre there.
Some of the cheapo shops may replace the evaporator but may not take the right steps to service the WHOLE SYSTEM properly...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: mcrn
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
A w123 dash can be removed far quicker than 9 hours (which would make 18 hours round trip). That was a rip.
Now to the point of the estimate. 8 hours is roughly $800. Plus a $400 part and you are at $1200. Add other parts, doing a full AC system service, receiver dryer, refrigerant, oil, etc., and Im sure youre there.
Some of the cheapo shops may replace the evaporator but may not take the right steps to service the WHOLE SYSTEM properly...
Thanks for the tip about the complete job. And I will take your word on the 123 but I remember looking at the car and it looked like a bomb had gone off inside. There was parts everywhere and it resembled nothing of the original look. But I do not know enough to say how long it would really take.
Originally Posted By: mcrn
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
Chrysler had (has) some junk all-aluminum evaporators-be sure your replacement one is copper tube/aluminum fin design. If you have to pull the dash it can be an expensive job-I once looked at a '93 Mercedes 300D that I really liked (leather, more power & MPGs than my '82)-but passed on it because it had a bad evap that would have cost $2 grand to replace, unfortunately I didn't have enough garage space & time to do it myself.
Ha yes! I have seen a 240D torn apart for an evap and it was going to be 18 hours of labor! Anyways I am looking online with no luck for a better part like you said copper. Did get a quote from a local shop for $765.
A w123 dash can be removed far quicker than 9 hours (which would make 18 hours round trip). That was a rip.
Now to the point of the estimate. 8 hours is roughly $800. Plus a $400 part and you are at $1200. Add other parts, doing a full AC system service, receiver dryer, refrigerant, oil, etc., and Im sure youre there.
Some of the cheapo shops may replace the evaporator but may not take the right steps to service the WHOLE SYSTEM properly...
Thanks for the tip about the complete job. And I will take your word on the 123 but I remember looking at the car and it looked like a bomb had gone off inside. There was parts everywhere and it resembled nothing of the original look. But I do not know enough to say how long it would really take.
Common problem with Jeep and Dodge trucks. Book time is 5.3 hrs, Any shop is going to bump that up to 6 hrs.
If I did the job.
$87x6=$522 labor.
New evap= $250
Evac/charge=$150
A new dryer would be about another $75.
$997...I'm sure that the dealer part is going to be closer to $500.
Whoever said to get a Copper Evap. Not happening. Nobody makes one that I'm aware of.
If I did the job.
$87x6=$522 labor.
New evap= $250
Evac/charge=$150
A new dryer would be about another $75.
$997...I'm sure that the dealer part is going to be closer to $500.
Whoever said to get a Copper Evap. Not happening. Nobody makes one that I'm aware of.
JHZR2
Staff member
Book time is 5.3 to do the evaporator or to do the whole service?
While opened up, I'd want the R/D replaced, the expansion valve looked at (if the system leaked out, I'd be concerned about corrosion or issues in there, might as well explore it while at it), and then any available o rings replaced and hoses flushed if they look bad. Then a good vacuum after putting everything together.
Does the 5.3 hours include doing a proper AC service, or is there another hour for doing the R/D and another hour to do the vac and recharge? If so, 8 may be more reasonable.
While opened up, I'd want the R/D replaced, the expansion valve looked at (if the system leaked out, I'd be concerned about corrosion or issues in there, might as well explore it while at it), and then any available o rings replaced and hoses flushed if they look bad. Then a good vacuum after putting everything together.
Does the 5.3 hours include doing a proper AC service, or is there another hour for doing the R/D and another hour to do the vac and recharge? If so, 8 may be more reasonable.
5.3 just to replace the part. Theres an * next to the hours required that says evac and charge not included.
The jeep uses an orifice tube thats captured in a metal line called a liquid line and the only way to check it is to remove the line and cut it open to access the tube then you must replace the line with a new one.
Liquid line repair kits don't work.
I'd put the evap in, new dryer add 4oz of oil and recharge. See how it does. Chances are that it will be ok.
The jeep uses an orifice tube thats captured in a metal line called a liquid line and the only way to check it is to remove the line and cut it open to access the tube then you must replace the line with a new one.
Liquid line repair kits don't work.
I'd put the evap in, new dryer add 4oz of oil and recharge. See how it does. Chances are that it will be ok.
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I personally think anyone that replaces an evaporator and gets all the dash and trim pieces back together right really earns their pay. I hate working on evaps. One thing GM gets right is they make the OT easily acessible and replacable for the most part. I'd love to have a car that allows you to access and remove the evap and the whole HVAC assembly through the passenger side kick panel/glove box area, but with passenger side air bags I don't think they exist anymore.
I would also put a new heater core in if you have the [censored] dash out.
Also From what I have scene many of these bad evaporators are ussually clogged full of leaves and pine needdles which rot them out.
If you car does not come with a cabin air filter and you can get one( I added them to my PT GT's and JEEP Grand Cherokee) do so to prevent all the [censored] from getting sucked in or fab a screen over the opening into the HVAC Area.
Go on any forum and you will see a lot of complaints about bad evaporators.
Also From what I have scene many of these bad evaporators are ussually clogged full of leaves and pine needdles which rot them out.
If you car does not come with a cabin air filter and you can get one( I added them to my PT GT's and JEEP Grand Cherokee) do so to prevent all the [censored] from getting sucked in or fab a screen over the opening into the HVAC Area.
Go on any forum and you will see a lot of complaints about bad evaporators.
Chryslers do have a bad track record for A/C as dad and I have serviced many. The aftermarket parts are cheaper than the dealer and IMO better quality and will ensure that you don't have the problem again with what you have replaced.
Replace the dryer and if you can dump out the compressor oil for fresh new stuff. This will go a long way in helping your A/C in future.
Steve
Replace the dryer and if you can dump out the compressor oil for fresh new stuff. This will go a long way in helping your A/C in future.
Steve
Not from what I have scene, many of the aftermarket ones dont fit correctly, you wind up having to bend the tubes and whatnot to get them to work. THis has been discussed on JU and DOC and some of the other boards. I have been lucky my 11 year old D and 8 year old WJ blow ice cold air 
My BIL has to have the evep replaced in his 03 Trail blazer a few years ago and wifes sister had one done in her 04 Accord last year, big $$$.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Chryslers do have a bad track record for A/C as dad and I have serviced many. The aftermarket parts are cheaper than the dealer and IMO better quality and will ensure that you don't have the problem again with what you have replaced.
Replace the dryer and if you can dump out the compressor oil for fresh new stuff. This will go a long way in helping your A/C in future.
Steve
My BIL has to have the evep replaced in his 03 Trail blazer a few years ago and wifes sister had one done in her 04 Accord last year, big $$$.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Chryslers do have a bad track record for A/C as dad and I have serviced many. The aftermarket parts are cheaper than the dealer and IMO better quality and will ensure that you don't have the problem again with what you have replaced.
Replace the dryer and if you can dump out the compressor oil for fresh new stuff. This will go a long way in helping your A/C in future.
Steve
All the Aftermarket units we have bought for Jeeps have fit like a glove.
I will see what brand we were buying and get back to you. (They are OEM almost to spec, just built better...)
I will see what brand we were buying and get back to you. (They are OEM almost to spec, just built better...)
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