1993 Honda Civic AC Evaporator Replacement Cost

Vehicles with a bad evaporator can be driven, but they won't be comfortable when it's hot outside. In extremely hot climates such as deserts, not having a working air conditioner could be dangerous for children and seniors.

Most cars will never need a new evaporator, but there are factors that can shorten its life. The evaporator is metallic, and if there's moisture in the air conditioning system, that moisture can cause corrosion. Likewise, a leaking heater core can get coolant on the evaporator, potentially ruining it. Additionally, the rubber seals for the AC lines connecting to the core may cause the evaporator to leak, in which case the technician may recommend replacement.

Any number of problems in the air conditioning system can cause the same symptoms. A servicing technician will need to examine the whole thing to make the right diagnosis. Typically, the evaporator coil would be suspected after testing for leaks, especially if it's clear there's a leak even if it can't be visibly detected. Also, if the technician finds that the pressures in the system are too extreme, the evaporator may be suspected of a clog.

"Stop leak" compounds are not recommended, as they are a temporary solution and can damage AC components, resulting in expensive repairs.

The air conditioning system will have to be evacuated and the evaporator will need to be accessed. This is usually done through a service port near the passenger foot well or by removing the dashboard. The evaporator can be removed by disconnecting all its mounting hardware and using specialized tools to remove the air conditioner lines. Replacing the evaporator is a matter of refitting the lines, replacing any components removed to access the evaporator, and recharging the system for testing.

We recommend replacing the A/C drier when the A/C evaporator is replaced. The A/C drier acts as a moisture and debris filter for the A/C system and a new part will keep the repaired system clean. (This will add additional parts and labor cost to the RepairPal price estimate.)