A couple of years ago I had the A/C compressor replaced with a Denso unit when the original factory compressor failed.

It worked great until a couple of weeks ago; the cooling waned, and then quit altogether.

My mechanic ran new refrigerant with dye through the system, and found leaking O rings; he replaced the O rings, recharged it, and returned the car to me.

It was cold for one day, cool for one day, and since then it's blown ambient temperature.

He is now convinced the evaporator, inside the car, is the source of the refrigerant leak.

I hate the idea of disassembling the dash, so I was wondering if anyone here has any in-sights to share.

While I am not eager to spend $1,000 or more, I am almost more concerned with the rattles that are sure to remain after this sort of work has been done.

One of the things I like about Audi cars is there solidness after years of use . . .

 

I have done heater cores in 3 separate B5's. Didn't leave one rattle behind and I'm just a Saturday mechanic. You can do it yourself, just label things, tape screws and bolts to the part they go with. it's really not hero work, just time consuming.

 

Was it necessary for you to remove the dashboard to access the heater core?

Would it be necessary to remove the dashboard to access the A/C evaporator?

My mechanic is all but 100% convinced it's the evaporator as there is no evidence of the dye anywhere under the hood . . .

 

No question. See the picture here.

No question. The evaporator is behind the blower fan, in the same box as the heater core.


Just did the heater core on my current B5 in August. You have to get to this point. You can see an empty space where the whole HVAC box was on the passenger side hanging from the aluminum frame. That holds the heater core, evaporator, blower motor, etc.





Yea, that's what all AC guys conclude. He's probably right.

 

It now seems likely that the leak is from the evaporator, and that it needs replacement.

My guy has quoted me $816 for the Audi part, but I am seeing other, after-market evaporators out there between about $70 and $125.

He would like to use the Audi part because he could warranty it, and make a little more money, as it costs him about $80.

I hate to pay that sort of mark-up, and I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation for an alternative source for the evaporator.

Even though the summer is drawing to a close here in AZ, I'd like the car to be correct and functional . . .

 

Here's an Audi brand OEM evaporator for $223.


1999 Audi A4 Quattro Parts - Audi Wholesale OEM Parts | Audi Genuine Accessories | Audi Branded Collection | Audi USA Parts Online Catalog estore

 

. . . 2001.

Wouldn't that change the part number and cost?

 

I'm sure not, but I'm also sure you can go there and change the year and check it yourself.

 

. . . they've come up with part #8D1820024B for the evaporator in the black housing, as sold by Audi, because the A/C has automatic setting.

I am now wondering if putting a new evaporator into the original black HVAC housing would work correctly with the automatic setting controls . . .

 

I plugged in a 2001 and got the same part, the same evaporator. Unless someone knows something I don't know, the Climate Control either turns the compressor on or off. There is not a reason to control the evaporator. Either it has pressurized R134 in it or it does not.