What to Do When the Car Air Conditioning Evaporator Leaks?
2 Answers
Check if the radiator is cracked or corroded, and take necessary remedial measures to avoid damage from installation or collision. Secondly, if the leakage is not severe, you can use soldering to repair the leaking area. Check whether the radiator drain switch is leaking or if there are holes or cracks in the upper and lower water chambers, and repair them accordingly.
The evaporator in my old car leaked last year, causing the AC to stop working completely. This metal box is buried deep behind the dashboard, requiring removal of the steering wheel, infotainment screen, and center console panels to access. I gritted my teeth and spent over 2,000 RMB at a specialized repair shop to replace it with an OEM part. The mechanic also thoroughly cleaned residual compressor oil from the lines - otherwise the new unit would have failed quickly too. Now I've learned my lesson: every year before summer, I have the shop check refrigerant line pressure with a leak detector. During car washes, I personally clear the windshield cowl drainage holes to prevent leaf-clogged drains from flooding and rusting the evaporator. I've also adopted the habit of turning off the AC compressor five minutes before shutting down the system, using fan-only mode to completely dry out condensation.
