Replaced evaperator...

[jeepzj]

Just had my a/c evaporator replaced on my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0L because it was leaking. Dealer told me that over time debris collects and prevents water from drainng and eventually rots out the evaporator. I think that's pretty typical of the ZJ's because a lot of JU members here experienced the same thing. I never got the drip inside the Jeep or under the carpets but I did notice that the past couple of summer less and less water drained under the Jeep by the frame rail. Now with the new and clean evaporator I see water drainig immediately and a lot more. My question is where does this debris pass by exactly? I see the openings right by the hinges of the hood and if I take a peak in there by the hinges with the hood up I see a small opening on the side like an inch wide. Where does this hole lead to?...the area where the drain hole is by the evaporator? I poured a little water down there by the hinges to see where it would drain and it drained down near where the back end of the spash guard is for the tires....not under the frame rail where the a/c usually drains. I also see that the cowl openings near the bottom\center of the windsheild has vents but no screen underneath it. Where does this open lead to? I'm going to try to remove the plastic windsheild cowl I would think that I should be able to buy some screen mesh and install it under the vent openings so that debris is trapped before it has a chance to pass though. I can do the same to cover the openings below the hinges as well.

 

[Kestas]

You may want to join the following web site to post your question:

http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showforum=13

Your question will reach a more targeted audience.

 

[RH+G]

I dont have a jeep but it sounds like you want to know how the dirt gets into the evaporator to rot it out?? It gets in throughthe vent for where your blower motor sucks air in thru the out side to blow over the evaporator.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

I removed my blower motor and cleared area past it which leads to the evaporator. Blowers have a strange taste for antiques. I do it every two years and I get feathers, leaves, even wood chips, sticks, seeds, tickets, stamps, chewinggum wrapping and soily dust. They worth nothing so I throw them away. There is a plastic mesh before the blower (on the cowl panel) so I'm amazed how the blower picks up all that variety.

On front and back of the evaporator there is already a fine wire mesh. I also wonder where it drips its water. People say there is a rubber hose directed downwards for my Chevy Celebrity but it remains a secret for me too. I tore apart the cowl and the kick panel, heater box inside the car before. Evaporator sits in a very constrained location.

 

[TheTanSedan]

Do a search on this excellent site. I have gone to it for a variety of vehicles:

http://www.ackits.com/forum/index.cfm

I seem to recall a thread indicating that the Cherokee (possibly the Grand as well) has the drain tube exiting into the frame rail where it is quite difficult to find and to service.

(Good advice, above, about cleaning blower motor/housing/case/screen. Don't forget to clean electrical contacts and double-check ground).

[ May 29, 2004, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]