What happens when evaporator goes bad?

If your AC evaporator is leaking, a small amount of refrigerant (not coolant) will seep from the coil, core, or seals. This will produce a sweet aroma, which might get more intense when the AC is turned on. 3. The AC compressor will not activate.

How do you clean evaporator coils without removing them?

Use a compressed air canister. One of the best ways to get the dirt and other debris out is to use compressed air. Blow the air into the coil to loosen the dirt. If there’s stubborn dirt, though, you might need to put the nozzle close to the bottom of the debris, along its side.

How long does a car evaporator last?

If proper maintenance is regularly performed, then the evaporator coils should last 10 to 15 years, which is the ideal lifetime for an evaporator coil and comparable to the lifespan of an AC unit. However, how long your evaporator coils last will be much shorter if your unit is improperly maintained.

When should I replace my car evaporator?

If a leak check fails, the evaporator should be replaced. You will smell a strange odor once you turn on your air conditioner. That smell is a good indication that the evaporator needs to be replaced. Replacing the evaporator requires you to remove many parts to access.

Can you clean a car evaporator?

When you want to clean the evaporator again, just pick the dried silicone out with a pick or screwdriver to access the core. Run your vehicle for half an hour with the heater set to hot and the blower on its highest setting to dry the area completely.

How does the evaporator work on a Honda Accord?

As air runs through a series of tubes and components of the A/C system, the evaporator removes hot air from inside the cabin to turn it into frigid, cool air. During that process, the evaporator also produces condensation, which is then dripped through a tube and released underneath the car.

How to unclog a / C drain tube in Honda Accord?

Connect the 5/16 rubber hose from the vacuum, and make sure it tightly fits. Then turn on the vacuum, and let it run for a minimum of five minutes. The evaporator drain tube should be completely unclogged, and the A/C in full working condition.

Where is the evaporator located in a car?

To unclog it, follow these easy steps. The evaporator is located beneath the glove box, so this procedure will take place in the passenger’s side area. Slide the seat as far back as it will go, and lay down a towel to protect your carpeting from getting wet.

What happens when refrigerant passes through the evaporator?

As compressed refrigerant reaches the evaporator, it passes through an expansion valve. This rapidly depressurizes the refrigerant, causing its temperature to drop dramatically. Now a cold gas, the refrigerant passes through the evaporator, causing that part’s metallic core to become extremely cold.