92 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme A/C evaporator replacement

[Ian]

Hello

if this has been posted already it would be greatly appreciate if someone can share a link to how to replace the ac evaporator in my 92 . It’s so packed full of junk it hardly blows any air and blew out the seal at the bottom so clearly I need to remove and clean it out. &nbsp
 

[Schurkey]

The Genuine GM service manual set for your vehicle is your friend.

First Guess:  If you can get in there from the HVAC blower-motor area with a vacuum, and perhaps compressed-air on a long, thin nozzle, you don't have to take the evaporator OUT.  Then the A/C system doesn't have to be discharged, desiccant pouch replaced, (new accumulator) system evacuated, and re-charged.  IF (big IF) the system is still leak-free, you aren't disturbing any of the seals.

OTOH, it's a pain in the tuckus to REALLY clean an evaporator.  But it's probably even worse to replace one.  Good luck.

If you do have to open the refrigerant system, be sure to replace the desiccant, and be sure to replace EVERY O-RING IN THE SYSTEM.  And have a careful look at the condenser for leaks and folded-over air fins.  Might be a good idea to just upgrade the condenser while the system is apart.  Remove and examine the orifice tube--any debris, and you need a compressor, too.  Flush every part you intend to re-use (except the compressor) and use the correct oil for the refrigerant you're using--in '92, that'd be R12 as OEM.  So again, "good luck".

Edited July 6 by Schurkey

[GnatGoSplat]

This is all I could really find for free.
https://charm.li/Oldsmobile/1992/Cutlass Supreme FWD V6-189 3.1L/Repair and Diagnosis/Heating and Air Conditioning/Evaporator Core/Service and Repair/

Although I 100% agree that you should get the genuine GM service manual.

Well worth the $7.50+shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/235434976664

[Ian]

Thanks for the options but did not need it. 
since I have a recovery machine with R134a it was not a big deal to open the system and refill it. Yes it was previously converted.
after recovering the system I removed the one bolt under the hood holding the lines to the evaporator. Also I removed the clamps for the heater hoses at the firewall. Making sure a pan is under where you remove the heater hoses so not to spill it on the ground.

under the dash at the floor I removed both left and right kick panels and gave access to where the bottom of the heater box is. 
I removed the silver trim around the cluster and radio, unbolted the center stack with that vent, climate control, and pocket. Behind that is another carpeted pocket unbolted that which gave me access to the heater box..

Removed the first panel that direct the floor air flow. There seems to be some pipe that goes into the floor under the carpet no idea where it goes since the back doesn’t have air vents or under the seats lol removing that panel I can see the heater core two or 7 mm. This car seems to be made with 7 mm screw screws.LOL . I was able to pull the heater core to the left and that gave me access to the evaporator. Remove the two screws on the bottom and I was able to pull the evaporator into the car and let me tell you I’ve attached a picture of what it looks like before cleaning it and after cleaning it after reinstalling everything and putting a new O-ring on the AC lines, putting a vacuum on the system and allowing my machine to refill the system with the correct amountthe airflow out of my vents was like a new car and my AC finally blows ice cold. All in all I was only left with 27 mm screws. I have no idea where they’re from but everything is nice and tight and working great.
Now I know this isn’t a tutorial with instructions step-by-step but this is just what I had to go through since I couldn’t find any information and didn’t wanna wait for my service manual to come in which yes I did order on eBay.

i’ve attached a few pictures before and after. I did do a little bit more cleaning after the clean picture I’ve attached. It looks like a brand new unit now. I hope in the future if somebody has to go through this and doesn’t understand what I’ve typed then can always reach out to me with questions.

 

 

[GnatGoSplat]

Thanks for posting an update!  Now I know why newer cars have a cabin air filter!  I wonder how bad mine is.

[White93z34]

wow! that thing was packed full of junk no wonder.