Replace air conditioner evaporator

[T120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close T120]

Nice
Just started googling how to pull dash apart properly and found this, going in now see how I go swapping the evaporator.

[T120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close T120]

Ok evaporator is out...........

[T120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close T120]

Finished!

[T120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close T120]

Thanks esman

[oceanrunner Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close oceanrunner]

Where is the best place to get a evaporator cooler from other than toyota, is it a simple case of unbolting the item , and re connecti it, does the system have to be de gassed.

[wes Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wes]

\ does the system have to be de gassed.

Sure does unless you want to cop refrigerant burn and conversely other damage as well as illegally removing/recovering refrigerant.

[topic97 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close topic97]

Where is the best place to get a evaporator cooler from other than toyota, is it a simple case of unbolting the item , and re connecti it, does the system have to be de gassed.

If you dont have a refrigeration license, you can just let the gas go - however if you are licensed, it must be recovered & recycled correctly.
Thats how stupid the regulations are, no penalty unless you have a refrigeration license - go figure.

Having said that, does your evaporator have a leak or are you just replacing it for the sake of it?

[Bayview250 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bayview250]

I've got a 2004 Prado VX. The local aircon people said that they can't get at it from the side because of the climate control system and so they are quoting the famous $1500.00! So 2 questions.

1. Has anyone replaced a VX or Grande Evaporator themselves?
2. How did you go about it?

I can't afford to pay $1500 so I'm interested in suggestions.

[n1450 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close n1450]

I've got a 2004 Prado VX. The local aircon people said that they can't get at it from the side because of the climate control system and so they are quoting the famous $1500.00! So 2 questions.

1. Has anyone replaced a VX or Grande Evaporator themselves?
2. How did you go about it?

I can't afford to pay $1500 so I'm interested in suggestions.

Hi, I have an 05 Grande, will be replacing the evaporator, Tx valve and dash pad hopefully on Friday/ Saturday. I have been told I need to remove the dash to get the Evap and Tx valve out so i figured I would replace the cracked dash at the same time. Will hopefully be able to give an update on how it went early next week. Dash $915.00 from Toyota if anyone is interested.

[Bayview250 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bayview250]

Hi, I have an 05 Grande, will be replacing the evaporator, Tx valve and dash pad hopefully on Friday/ Saturday. I have been told I need to remove the dash to get the Evap and Tx valve out so i figured I would replace the cracked dash at the same time. Will hopefully be able to give an update on how it went early next week. Dash $915.00 from Toyota if anyone is interested.

Hi , Someone else on the forum has documented the dash removal, but if you could document how you do the evaporator as well, I would be really appreciative! Also - why are you replacing Tx Valve?
Cheers
Gerry

[n1450 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close n1450]

Gerry, doing the Tx for no other reason than the AC guy advised to do it as well. I figured for an extra $50 it was worth doing at the same time.

Nick

[n1450 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close n1450]

Well I can now confirm that on an 05 Grande there is no way the evaporator can be removed without removing the dash and most of the components surrounding it. It took a full 12 hours for two of us to remove and reinstall, then another day for me to work out the two faults- one, I missed the radio aerial connection in the passenger side pillar, and second, I misaligned a drive motor on the side of the air box.

If the attached link works it will show the extent of removal required to get the air box out.

http://s10.postimg.org/ujmcnfwh5/IMG_0929.jpg

[Blair1604 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Blair1604]

Finished!

Hey T120, what model Prado was this for? I'm deciding whether or not to tackle the evaporator replacement on a 2008 KDJ120.
Mechanics are generally quoting $1500+
I

Cheers.

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Blair1604,
How'd you go getting your evapourator replaced? I need to do mine. I was hoping I could DIY it and just pay for regas.

Had gas and die put in 3 weeks ago. The AC worked for a few days and now it's not.

It held vacuum for 40 minutes when tested.

[stevegp24 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close stevegp24]

I guess you’’ve changed the evaporator by now, but Yes the KDJ120 GXL is able to be changed as described in this post. Remove the glove box, fan assembly then screws towards the rear of the white unit, then the bolts on the pipes under the drivers side. To remove the fan assembly you’’ll need to undo some wiring harnesses and move them out of the way.
I had die put in about 4 months ago and was able to see the small leak with a UV light from jaycar and a pair of sunglasses in a dark room.
Happy to help anyone with their replacement