850 Evaporator supplier

ss2115

Hi. I've removed the dashboard and extracted our leaking AC Evaporator.
Where can i find the cheapest replacement please. Local and most UK prices seem exorbitant.
I'm replacing the heater core as well (still the original) but I can obtain that cheaply. I can use a USA source if I want to because RHD and LHD are the same. But a local price I found is pretty good.
But unfortunately, the Evaporator pipes are different LHD to RHD so it must be Australia or UK/Europe sourced. Any suggestions as to a good well priced supplier please?

Philia_Bear

What car?

Ex850R

Don't skimp on heater core as some cheap are cheap and fail, I know from personal experience.
Maybe, just maybe, a cheap lhd evaporator can be modified by a fabricator welder to suit.

ss2115

Sorry. I thought my car would come up in the Garage or Signature field. My apologies.
Its a 1995 850 SE 2.5 Sedan.
Lovely 1 owner car in the family with only 125,000klms on it. New to look at which is the only reason I decided to tackle this job. It seemed such a waste to let it go but at the same time with it only being worth around $3500 at most, wasn't worth paying someone else to do it.
Hasn't been all that difficult to do to be honest.

Ex850R

Oooh, sounds nice, an old NA 850 is really kool.
Not worth getting a used evaporator unless from a southern state late v/s70 wreck.
For that, try Berry Motor Group, @iceton1975, Mark can help, probably has heater core on the shelf too. He has very good pricing on parts.
Or get bits from Rockauto etc, the money saved is substantial, postage exxy but still cheaper than local. Get a few bits from same warehouse and it is really cheap.
Think about the coolant system in general, maybe pressure test. The radiator is a common failure as end tanks leak, definitely replace the thermostat.
Cheap heater cores can actually be a tad smaller than standard! I did one years ago. It also failed very quickly...... There is one on ebay that I was going to try. Looks like it's an oem manufacturer. I'll get a link.

Ex850R

Pictures please!

Ex850R

In fact, we clean out AC units and pressure wash them, why can't an evaporator just be cleaned out properly?

ss2115

Unfortunately Rockauto only have LHD evaporators so don't fit.
Our evaporator isn't blocked - its got a leak. They cannot be repaired unless it was somewhere obvious and accessible such as in an inlet/outlet pipe.
They cannot be cleaned because of the inbuilt TX valve - a tiny orifice to turn the liquid gas into a mist so it absorbs the heat from the air going though the evaporator (ie: heat exchanger).
Volvo evaporators don't have a good reputation for lasting so certainly wouldn't consider a used one.
Photos attached as per request.

Heater core still has its original 1995 stickers on it.

Philia_Bear

Replace the heater core while you are there

ss2115

Yep. Already noted that I would be doing both. And putting it all together with new O-ring seals on heater connections and AC garter connections. but have to source them first!

Ex850R

The usual way with heater core is to leave the bulkhead connection alone. Seems some have issues even with complete new connector parts. O ring issues. Crazy idea there anyway....

Philia_Bear

Ex850R;104651 wroteThe usual way with heater core is to leave the bulkhead connection alone. Seems some have issues even with complete new connector parts. O ring issues. Crazy idea there anyway....

No
The bulkhead is easy to replace and should just be replaced

VolvoDeger

yep agree with philia bear just change bulk head connection as this causes so many leaks

Ex850R

VolvoDeger;104668 wroteyep agree with philia bear just change bulk head connection as this causes so many leaks

I must be lucky then.
I have one new here but never needed to use it.

ss2115

Hi again.
Do you mean replace the two aluminium pipes and the plastic header that fits up to the firewall?
I wasn't made aware these were troublesome. The instructions I downloaded just said to use new O-rings in the existing one.

Snoopy - did you reuse your existing ones? Did you grease them up at all? Perhaps the grease expanded the old rubber O-rings enough for a tight fit?
Did you want to sell your new one?

Ex850R

I think issues have been o rings not done right or the kits not having them so old ones used.
I disconnect my core from the pipes themselves. They are fine.
I haven't had that connection box fail so far but will keep one handy. To save you time I could sell mine and get another I spose. I do hope I have the o rings handy. You could get them from a engineering supply anyway. Or Berry Motor Group even. Shoot me a pm to remind me to look for it! (moving house looms upon us, packing up a pile of car bits daunting...)