Where is the Car AC Evaporator Located? Check Here to Fix It

As a car owner, you should know the location of the car's AC evaporator. This component of the AC cooling system has a very vital function. If this component is damaged, the hot air from the car cabin cannot be absorbed by the evaporator, causing the temperature inside the car cabin to become hot and stuffy. So where is the location of the car's AC evaporator? For more details, please pay attention to the following review. 

Where is the Location of the Car AC Evaporator? 

Speaking of the location of the AC evaporator in cars, this component is usually located under the car dashboard. However, this location does not apply to all cars because some cars have different AC designs. To find out where the AC evaporator is located in your car, it is best to read the car manual provided by the manufacturer when you purchased the car. By knowing the location of this component, you can quickly make repairs if there is a damage to the car's AC evaporator. 

How to Repair the Car AC Evaporator

If your car's AC evaporator is damaged, you can apply several methods to repair the car AC evaporator as follows. 

1. Detecting Leaks

The first step you need to take when you want to repair the car AC evaporator is to detect the source of the evaporator leak. This way, you can determine the right steps in the repair process. To detect the source of the leak, you can use an AC leak detector tool kit, or check for signs of an AC leak, such as fluid coming from the AC evaporator or an unpleasant odor coming from the AC vents. 

2. Preparing Repair Tools for Evaporator Damage

The second step, you need to prepare several repair tools for the car AC evaporator damage as follows. 

• Leak detector tool kit: to check the condition of the AC leak. 
• Screwdriver set: to open components or panels blocking access to the evaporator.
• Wrench: to tighten and loosen bolts.
• Vacuum pump: to remove refrigerant.
• Manifold gauge set: to measure the pressure of the refrigerant.
• New refrigerant: as a replacement for the cleaned or removed refrigerant.
• Special evaporator fluid: to clean dirty and moldy evaporators.
• Infrared thermometer: to check the temperature emitted by the AC vents.
• New cabin filter: as a replacement for the dirty cabin filter. 
• Sealant: used to patch the leaking evaporator.
• Bucket: to catch spilled fluid.
• Clean cloth: to clean the dirty parts of the evaporator. 

3. Turning Off the Car Engine and Disconnecting the Battery

The next step, you need to turn off the car engine and disconnect the car battery to avoid accidents caused by electric current. 

4. Opening the Dashboard Panel

Next, open the dashboard panel to access the evaporator. 

5. Removing the Refrigerant

Then, remove the refrigerant from the AC cooling system using a vacuum pump. 

6. Detaching the Evaporator

Next, carefully disassemble and detach the evaporator. Don't forget to check the cabin filter for dirt. Replace the filter with a new one if the filter is too dirty. 

7. Cleaning the Evaporator

Next, you need to clean the dirty parts of the evaporator with special evaporator fluid. Use sealant if the evaporator has leaks. However, if the leak condition is not feasible and the evaporator is too dirty, you can replace it with a new evaporator. 

Also Read: How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Car AC Evaporator? Here’s the Estimate!

8. Recharging the Refrigerant

After the evaporator is reinstalled, don't forget to recharge the refrigerant. 

9. Checking the AC Performance

Next, start the car engine and the AC to check whether the AC is functioning optimally or not. 

That’s how to repair a leaking or damaged AC evaporator. If you want a practical solution, you can have the evaporator repaired at the official Daihatsu workshop.