Not like it's in front of the car so it can get punctured by a rock. Made of aluminum and located inside the car so won't rust. Are late model Subarus known for leaking evaporators? Pretty much diagnosed it as the source of the leak in my '16. It was blowing cold last fall but nothing now. Compressor engages but low pressure on the test gauges. Recharged and air is ice cold. Used an electronic leak tester and got nothing along the lines under the hood, but as soon as put it to a dash vent, it goes off.
What causes an evaporator core to leak?
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If you have the fan on your sniffer will go off if the air is blowing across it. Try blowing into your sniffer to see for your self
Evaps can fail from just bad quality, acids in the system from not vacuuming it or filling it from a can. The most common is debris in the case that stay wet and corrode the evap.
Evaps can fail from just bad quality, acids in the system from not vacuuming it or filling it from a can. The most common is debris in the case that stay wet and corrode the evap.
Originally Posted by Chris142
If you have the fan on your sniffer will go off if the air is blowing across it. Try blowing into your sniffer to see for your self
No, it was with the a/c off.
If you have the fan on your sniffer will go off if the air is blowing across it. Try blowing into your sniffer to see for your self
No, it was with the a/c off.
You are wondering why something made in China had failed???
How would you know it was made in China?
Originally Posted by dishdude
Usually the passenger side floor vent is the best to use the sniffer on, typically it's closest to the heater box.
The floor vent doesn't get any air conditioned air.
Usually the passenger side floor vent is the best to use the sniffer on, typically it's closest to the heater box.
The floor vent doesn't get any air conditioned air.
I stick the sniffer in the drain tube to test for them. I had to replace the one in my wifes 2008 CRV. I don't know why they fail, but everything does eventually..
Usually its a HOLE
My guess would be metal fatigue after xxx number of contractions/expansions....
Usually its a HOLE
Don't be surprised, you aren't alone. I've seen many 2010-2014 Subaru's with Evap core leaks. Why? I couldn't tell you. What I can tell you is that it's relatively easy to replace, does NOT require dash removal, and can be done with hand tools in a driveway in an afternoon. Just pay a shop to evacuate and recharge the system, and you'll be all set.
Many BMW E90s had evaporators that leaked from new. Imagine having this fixed on a nearly new car. It's an UGLY job! Instead, I get mine recharged every 2 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYVBcn4LB7I&feature=emb_title
Scott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYVBcn4LB7I&feature=emb_title
Scott
Incorrect coolant, neglected coolant or inferior/weak part.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
Originally Posted by Gebo
Incorrect coolant, neglected coolant or inferior/weak part.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
I don't think the OP is referring to a radiator... Refrigerant doesn't wear out, unless something causes it to burn (not on automotive systems). Evap coils just seem to be made weaker than they used to be, I even have issues with copper tube/aluminum fin ones now that never used to fail.
Incorrect coolant, neglected coolant or inferior/weak part.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
I don't think the OP is referring to a radiator... Refrigerant doesn't wear out, unless something causes it to burn (not on automotive systems). Evap coils just seem to be made weaker than they used to be, I even have issues with copper tube/aluminum fin ones now that never used to fail.
Originally Posted by bullwinkle
Originally Posted by Gebo
Incorrect coolant, neglected coolant or inferior/weak part.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
I don't think the OP is referring to a radiator... Refrigerant doesn't wear out, unless something causes it to burn (not on automotive systems). Evap coils just seem to be made weaker than they used to be, I even have issues with copper tube/aluminum fin ones now that never used to fail.
Oops, I better go back to bed.
Thanks bullwinkle
Originally Posted by Gebo
Incorrect coolant, neglected coolant or inferior/weak part.
Often it is due to coolant wearing out over time and becoming acidic which corrodes aluminum.
How often do you change your coolant and what coolant do you use?
If you can get your hands on a pH stick and check the pH of the coolant you could see if the pH is below 7.
I don't think the OP is referring to a radiator... Refrigerant doesn't wear out, unless something causes it to burn (not on automotive systems). Evap coils just seem to be made weaker than they used to be, I even have issues with copper tube/aluminum fin ones now that never used to fail.
Oops, I better go back to bed.
Thanks bullwinkle
Sloppy construction of a commodity item or penny pinching by the manufacturer because they either underbid for the contract or they underestimated the failure rate. If Subaru is known for having this issue and they continue to use the same supplier then it's another issue.
So which replacement to buy? Street price on a Subaru evap is around $240. Spectra Premium about $65. Is that made in Canada or China?
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