How to Remove the Camry's Air Conditioning Evaporator?
2 Answers
The method for removing the Camry's air conditioning evaporator involves dismantling the dashboard, inner frame, steering wheel, blower assembly, wiring harness, and other components, then removing and disassembling the evaporator assembly to extract the evaporator. The function of the air conditioning evaporator is to utilize low-temperature liquid refrigerant, which easily evaporates under low pressure, transforming into vapor and absorbing heat from the cooled medium to achieve refrigeration. Taking the 2019 Camry as an example, its body structure is a 4-door, 5-seat sedan with dimensions of 1885mm in length, 1840mm in width, and 1455mm in height, a wheelbase of 2825mm, a fuel tank capacity of 60 liters, a trunk capacity of 593 liters, and a curb weight of 1530kg.
I once tried to disassemble the air conditioning evaporator box of a Camry and found it quite troublesome. You need to take it slow and not rush. Remember to handle the refrigerant properly first—use a professional tool to evacuate it, otherwise, you might get sprayed with refrigerant, which is very dangerous. Then, start disassembling the dashboard components—first remove the glove box, then take off the decorative panel under the steering wheel. Don’t use brute force; be careful not to scratch anything. Next, disconnect the electrical wires and pipe connectors of the evaporator box. The wires can be carefully pulled off with pliers, and the pipes can be gently unscrewed. Finally, pull out the evaporator box—it’s stuck near the firewall and might be a bit tight, so you may need to wiggle it a little. The whole process will take at least a few hours, and you’ll need a screwdriver set and anti-slip gloves. After reassembling, make sure to test the air conditioning performance to avoid air leaks. Why did I disassemble it? Last time, my evaporator box got moldy, and the air coming out of the AC smelled terrible. After replacing it, everything felt much better. Remember to check the sealing after finishing the job, or you might have to redo it.
