It looks like I am about to tackle this job as my AC Evap has a substantial leak in it. I have been looking for replacement parts and have found them ranging from $32 - $300. What brands do you all use? Rock Auto has TYC that are reasonably priced and Quadratec has Crown that are about $175 per. I know not all more expensive parts equal better quality but I definitely don't mind paying more for quality parts, especially with the scope of this fix. Any info would be appreciated!

 

I bought a Pro Source heater core from Rock Auto when I did mine two years ago. It's been great ever since. All the new ones are aluminum, and I've heard some complaints about them failing, but I could never get anyone to tell me where/how exactly they failed. Just for insurance, I spread some JB Weld epoxy all around where the inlet and outlet tubes connect to the body of the core, but I'm not sure if that's where people are having problems. The new heater core puts out great heat.

Do yourself a favor and get some of that adhesive foam weatherstripping so you can properly seal the perimeter of the heater core against the HVAC box. That'll ensure all the air gets blown through core and it doesn't sneak around the edges. Those cores come with foam around them, but it's usually pretty thin and sub-par.

You can't see the epoxy job in this picture, but you can see how I put some proper foam around the outside of the heater core. Also, that black mesh stuff on the downwind side of the evaporator core (held in pace by those white clip thingies in this picture) is there to keep the A/C condensate from blowing around on high fan settings. It catches the water and directs it to the drain below. If yours is missing, it's called reticulated foam and can be ordered online. Get the 1/4" thick stuff with 10 pores per inch (PPI). I got a bunch from Foam Mart.

 

Brand isn't as important as country of origin.

 

about six months ago I replaced mine with one of these;

https://www.superiorcooling.co/48740...-wrangler.html

It was about $140 back then. It is brass/copper, was made in Mexico , about runs me out of the vehicle in zero degree weather, and no leaks....I DID NOT WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

 

Yes^^^. Avoid the Big C!!!!

 

Yeah, good luck with that. For example, that Mexican-made one is out of stock.

 

Good grief
https://www.ebay.com/itm/25510981228...IAAOSwXbRhMQ7r

 

What is the benefit of going copper over the aluminum one that are available as well? Are they less prone to leaking?