Evaporator Question Update 1/31 Got Some Parts

[Longroof79]

Thank you for posting the informative videos. As they say, you learn something new everyday. If I recall, the tubes weren't the straightest on the aftermarket evaporator. I suppose when I was in the middle of replacing my A/C system, I probably should've researched it more thoroughly.
Thanks again for all the great information. 👍
Also, a shout out to Hutch for taking the time to share how he performed his evaporator swap and all the pertinent details.
I guess you always have to question why things were done a certain way.

 

[69hurstolds]

Thank you for posting the informative videos. As they say, you learn something new everyday. If I recall, the tubes weren't the straightest on the aftermarket evaporator. I suppose when I was in the middle of replacing my A/C system, I probably should've researched it more thoroughly.
Thanks again for all the great information. 👍
Also, a shout out to Hutch for taking the time to share how he performed his evaporator swap and all the pertinent details.
I guess you always have to question why things were done a certain way.

Yeah, as far as I know, Hutch is the only one that's made a comprehensive video concerning G-body HVAC rebuild. There's just nothing really out there that goes into as much detail while showing real-world stuff.

 

[gnvair]

The GM evaporators did not come with the filter sheet

 

[565bbchevy]

I replaced the foam on my 86' Regal when I tore it apart and replaced everything, the original one looked pretty ratty but at least I was able to use all of the clips to hold the new piece on.

 

[69hurstolds]

The GM evaporators did not come with the filter sheet

True. No replacement parts came with a filter that I'm aware of, GM or aftermarket. In fact, the filter's not even listed in the parts books from what I remember. I'm not sure of the rhyme or reason as to which cars got them and which ones didn't. Some cars did come with them from the factory, though. This is fact. Not many filters survive over the years and again, I think people have no idea why they're there and never replace them.

 

[Texas82GP]

I'm pretty sure my evaporator was original and it had the 'filter' so I put it back. My theory was GM didn't give it anything it didn't need.

 

[fleming442]

I'm pretty sure my evaporator was original and it had the 'filter' so I put it back. My theory was GM didn't give it anything it didn't need.

But, cars are built with 20% extra parts. That's what gets me to sleep at night, anyway.

 

[69hurstolds]

Recall also, 12mo/12K miles for warranty back then. Most people could eat that up in about 9 months. So if that 15 cent filter kept the customer out of the dealership for 12 months....it was a win. I'm still thinking this was an on-the-fly, factory fix somewhere down the line.

A couple examples of this- I recall the late third gen F-bodies had a poor lip seal design on their pinion shafts in the rear end. If the rear started leaking under warranty, the fix was to replace it with a newly-engineered design which they finally incorporated into later factory builds in 2002. A bit late since that was the end of the third-gen F-body, but it made it. Another one was the battery cable starter hookup for the 5th gen Camaro about a month after it was released. It was oriented in a way to rub and short out on the surrounding metal pieces. A newly designed part fixed that issue. Since this was a safety concern, they issued a safety recall on Camaros that were already sold, temporarily held up sales to fix cars waiting to be shipped, and fixed it for free.

I'm wondering since the same basic HVAC set up was used from 78-88 if any early versions had one of these filter thingies or if there was a service bulletin on it? Or even when they started doing this?

 

[mikester]

I stopped at the shop a few towns over thats going to charge the system in the wagon when its finished. Ive dealt with the guy a few times and hes been in business for many years. His father had it before him.
I asked him about the foam and he said none of the aftermarket replacement evaporators came with them. He said back in the day some of the ones that came from the dealer had them and some didnt.
Hes never put the insulation back on. His thought was the box has a drain hole. He also said if the foams wet over and over how long would it take to get mold in it ? Thinking about that it sorta makes sense but how could all those vehicles over the years have it ? Im sure GM designers thought about that (hint of sarcasm). LOL

 

[mikester]

Thinking about the mold comment I made I thought you guys might find this a little interesting if not disturbing.
A guy Ive known for years (the owner of the Camaro with the blue interior that I resprayed with Color Coat) recently bought a brand new Jeep Cherokee. He was shopping around for what seems like years trying to decide what to buy to replace his 96 S10 2dr Blazer that has over 300K miles on it. He still drives the Blazer to his job 7 miles from his house every day.
Long story short, he calls me up in the beginning of October and asks me if my daughter has had any health issues since she got her new 2019 Grand Cherokee. I tell him no. Turns out hes been having issues and hes figured out its from driving around in his new Jeep. He feels fine and after being in the Jeep for any length of time his nose gets stuffy and he starts to cough.
He goes on a bunch of forums and it seems that a lot of people are having the same issues. First thing he does is check the cabin air filter. Its filthy !!! The trucks got less then 5K miles on it !!! He thinks hes having a problem due to the out gassing from all the crap in the interior. He still has no idea why the filter was dirty. He doesnt smoke and the truck had 2 or 3 miles on it when he bought it. Its in his attached garage with a car cover over it and all the windows closed.
In the end he wound up leaving all the doors and gate open for over two weeks with a large box fan blowing air through through the thing 24/7. He says the smell isnt as bad now and it seems like hes not as stuffed up when he drives it. The odd thing is my daughters Jeep does have a slight smell but nothing like his. Im thinking maybe its because his interior is leather and hers is only cloth.
Make me wonder how bad all the materials in new vehicles are. So many people get all these crazy cancers and they have no idea why. That crap cant be good.