96 Grand Caravan 3.8L A/C Evaporator Replace

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by RoadRunner, Aug 9, 2005.

  1. RoadRunner

    RoadRunner Guest

    I need to replace the evaporator coil on my 96 Grand Caravan. Does anyone
    know if the expansion valve and/or the filter drier should be replaced at
    the same time? Secondly, if I decide to leave this repair until next
    summer, will leaving the system empty of refrigerant cause other parts to
    deteriorate...e.g the compressor, condenser etc??

    I can't believe how common this repair appears to be for the
    caravan......and talk about making it difficult to replace!! If so much
    work is required to replace these things, why not make sure that the part
    installed lasts the lifetime of the vehicle? Wake up Chrysler!! You should
    be helping with the cost of fixing this common part failure.

    BCM replaced $800
    Evaporator - estimate $1200
    Power steering rack - estimate $800.00

    Can't wait to buy another Chrysler!!
     
    RoadRunner, Aug 9, 2005
    #1
  2. No, not if the system had refrigerant in it already.
    Yes, because since there's a leak, the normal changes in barometric
    pressure is going to pump the system full of air and moisture.
    They did - on the "1993-97 Grand Cherokee and Wagoneer, Concorde, Intrepid,
    LHS, New Yorker, and Vision" they extended the warranty on one of their
    dirty
    little secret goodwill programs. If your evap failed in one of these cars
    and you went
    into the dealer and made a stink you got a freebie.

    They didn't do it on the minivans - probably because A/C is a requirement in
    a minivan - all that glass - they knew if they did then everyone would come
    down on their necks.

    Note also the 96 minivan is basically a first-year production model since
    they
    heavily redesigned them in '96. Thus it's going to have more problems.

    Ted
     
    Ted Mittelstaedt, Aug 9, 2005
    #2
  3. Replacing the filter-drier is mandatory when the system is opened, and
    failing to do so is foolhardy.

    If the expansion valve is working properly, no reason to replace it.
    Moisture + refrigerant remaining in the system (it's not going to be
    "empty") = acid = additional corrosion.
    Corroded evaporators have become a great deal more common since the advent
    of R134a...in many makes, not just Mopars.
    Donno why you spent that much on a BCM.
    Where are you buying your parts?
    Where the HELL are you buying your parts?
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Aug 10, 2005
    #3
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