Everything You Need To Know About Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator

AC Hose:

The change of cooling agent parameters such as pressure, temperature, and state are utilized by the cooling and air-conditioning installations when it starts circulating between the evaporator and the condenser in the cooling system. The cooling agent will circulate when it is driven by the refrigerating compressor. The refrigerant will absorb heat by evaporation in the evaporator, and then it gives away the heat as the vapour is condensed in the condenser. There are a few types of refrigerants like water, carbon dioxide, ammonia. One special type of refrigerant is the low-boiling hydrocarbons also known as freons.

In several vehicles like cars, trains, trams, and smaller installations of industrial cooling, flexible freon hoses are being widely used in air-conditioning systems. Freon (e.g. R134a, R1234yf), when mixed with compressor oil like PAG synthetic oil acts as a refrigerant. It undergoes continuous pressure and temperature fluctuations when it keeps circulating in the system. Therefore, the requirement which concerns freon hoses will always be high. It is very important to keep the system very tight as neon is expensive, hazardous, and can penetrate easily. The system has to be highly resistant to pressure, temperature, and chemicals. It must also help to stop the humidity from entering the hose wall. The air-conditioning hose is mounted with special types of fittings which are designed for a make or type, when mixed with compressor oil like PAG synthetic oil, of the vehicle.

AC Evaporator:

The air-conditioning evaporator is nothing but a small radiator that is present inside the dashboard and it supplies cold air for the air-conditioning system. It is known as an evaporator because it’s the place where the freezing liquid refrigerant takes away the heat from the air blown through it. The refrigerant turns into a vapour state after evaporating in the evaporator, after which it is sent to the condenser to cool down. This process is continuously repeated. As a result, the air which comes out from the air conditioner remains cold.

It is labor-intensive to change the evaporator as it is hidden inside the vehicle’s dashboard. It will then need a full system recharge. If there is a leak in the evaporator, it will only release the refrigerant vapor unlike the broken heater core, which can leak engine coolant into the footwell. A drainage channel that is clogged is one of the common problems of water in front of footwells.

Have a look at the working of car air conditioning evaporator:

The evaporator is similar to a radiator or a condenser in that it has lines through which the refrigerant flows. Instead of dissipating heat, it absorbs it, bringing the temperature down to around 32 degrees. Unlike water, which freezes at 32 degrees, the refrigerant boils. It then reverts to a gaseous state, allowing it to absorb even more heat. This gas is then pumped back into the AC compressor, restarting the process.

It is easy to identify an AC evaporator leak. Sometimes it is easier to find them out and other times a detailed diagnosis is needed.

1. Damaged Outer Seal - Most of the time, a leak occurs due to the outer seal which is damaged on the evaporator core.

2. Corrosion - At times, the corrosion inside the evaporator or the hose can cause the seal to be leaky. Corrosion usually takes place, when the debris enters into the air intake system, such as dust or dirt, and damages the air filters.

3. The Connection between Coil and Core - The connection between the AC evaporator coil and the core can also cause the system to leak. If leakage is found, then the entire AC evaporator has to be changed. 

Using a sealant to fix the leakage can always be a temporary solution and this, in turn, may create additional problems to the AC system. So, it is best to not use a sealant.

Just like other system parts, the air conditioning hose & evaporator can be damaged and can cause trouble to the vehicle. Here are a few symptoms that can alert the driver about the issue which needs attention.

Symptoms of bad air conditioning evaporator

1.    The cool air is either weak or not blowing at all.

The effectiveness of the air conditioning system will be harmed if the AC Evaporator coil or core leaks. In general, the larger the leak, the lower the cooling capacity.

2.    When you turn on your air conditioner, you detect a weird odour.

A little amount of refrigerant (not coolant) will seep from the coil, core, or seals if your AC evaporator is leaking. This will produce a lovely aroma, which may intensify when the air conditioner is switched on.

3.    The air conditioner compressor would not turn on.

The compressor's job is to keep refrigerant flowing through the evaporator. To function, it must maintain a certain pressure. As a result, if there is a leak, the system's pressure drops, and the compressor does not turn on.

4.    The temperature of the air conditioner will change.

The AC evaporator can continue to chill air even if there is a little leak. However, if the temperature fluctuates, it could be a sign of a faulty AC evaporator.

Symptoms of bad air conditioning hose

1.    Noticeable physical damage on the hose

The very first symptom of a failing high-pressure hose is noticeable physical damage. As the high-pressure hose is found in the engine bay, the hose can sometimes be damaged as they rub against the moving engine components. Any abrasions, loose threads, or signs of tear on the hose are an indication that the hose is damaged and has to be replaced as quickly as possible.

2.    Leaking around the hose

As the refrigerant which flows through the hose is under high pressure, the hose might eventually develop a leak later. If the hose starts leaking, even if it is a minor one, the entire refrigerant system will be emptied. The AC system will not be able to produce cold air. If the AC system is leaky, it will show some signs like the dripping of the refrigerant, leaky hose along with fittings. If there are any signs of leakage you must change the leaky hose as quickly as possible so that further damage to the system can be avoided.

3.    AC not cooling

If the AC system is not able to produce cold air, then it is another symptom that the AC high-pressure hose has been damaged. As the AC high-pressure hose carries refrigerant to the accumulator this can further be liquefied to be used in the system. If the hose is damaged, then the AC system cannot produce cold air for the cabin.

Several skilled auto mechanics have a goal of opening their car repair shop in their career. But let’s face it; if you want to put up an efficient and profit-making shop, then you might need much more than mechanical skills. There are several tools that you might need to perform the car repairs quickly as well as reliably. Auto repair equipment that you will need to repair your Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator may include:

• Replacement Evaporator

• Allen Wrenches

• Sockets

• Wire Cutters

• Vacuum Pump and Gauge

• Coolant

If you know which car parts brand suits the best for your Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator, then it would save a lot of your decision-making time. What we believe is that picking a particular brand would always help reduce the clutter, and would make it easier for the customers to find what they are looking for. That’s why we have listed out some top brands for Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator below:-

• Four Seasons Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator Parts

• Spectra Premium Industries Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator Parts

• Aeroquip Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator Parts

• Cooling Depot Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator Parts

• Federated/Four Seasons Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator Parts

If you are like most of us, then you won’t know much about the related components of car Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator. Fear not! Here is a quick and easy guide to explain the related parts of the Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator.

• Evaporator

• A/C Hose

• Drier& Hose Assembly

• A/C Hose Assembly

• Evaporator Emission Control Connector

There are a lot of factors which should be considered when you are thinking of replacing the Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator. First, you have to decide if you require some related parts of the Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator or a whole Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator. Then the next step is to decide what type of make as well as the type of Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator you are dealing with and from where will you get a brand new one. Just keep in mind that a brand new Air Conditioning Hose & Evaporator which would come from a warehouse would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After that, the next point which should be considered is where you are going to get it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done.

The approximate cost for an AC evaporator replacement lies between $854 and $1,128 and the labor cost is estimated to lie between $523 and $661. The parts are priced between $331 and $467 which do not include taxes and estimates. The approximate cost for an AC hose replacement lies between $140 and $200.

A bad evaporator is one of the common problems with the heating and cooling system of the car. It might seem to be a tough job to replace the evaporator if it is faulty. You can follow the below guidelines and do the job easily rather than spending money to get it fixed.

Step 1 - Locate The Air Conditioning Evaporator

The AC evaporator is situated behind your vehicle's dashboard, and it is critical to the air conditioning and heating system of the car. If you are replacing the evaporator then you have to remove the vehicle's dashboard and center console to gain access to it.

Step 2 - Disconnect The Electrical Connections

Separate the battery cables and wait a couple of minutes as the airbags on the driver-side and passenger-side have to be disengaged.

Step 3 - Remove The Dashboard Panels

Remove the instrument panels, steering wheel columns, glove-box door, instrument-panel cover bolts, left floor duct-pad screws and pads, steering column, ignition-shift-interlock cable, column wiring, and air conditioning outlet duct. This will make the evaporator visible and allow easy access.

Step 4 - Discharge The Refrigerant

Remove the refrigerant from the system by flushing it and place the liquid into an approved recycling unit. Before you remove the evaporator, the refrigerant must be discharged as it is dangerous to take away the parts when the refrigerant is still in the system. The system has to be discharged first. Proceed by removing the liquid line connection and the heater core from the core which reaches the evaporator.

Step 5 - Remove the Evaporator

Now, take off the AC and heating unit which is underneath the dashboard in the instrument panel. Remove the screws which hold it together by turning it upside down. Now, the center-adapter duct and the screws have to be removed. The evaporator from the lower housing case has to be removed. See if there are any damages or cracks to the housing that holds the evaporator. Make sure that no pieces are missing from the housing. Each of the worn-out pieces has to be replaced.

Step 6 - Replace the Evaporator

Installing the new evaporator is the last step and you have to carry out the process in reverse order. Finally, fill the system with coolant.

Have a look at the steps of replacing a Car Air Conditioning Hose:

Safety Tip: When working on your vehicle, always use safety eyewear. When necessary, use other personal protection equipment (PPE), such as latex gloves or closed-toe shoes.

Step 1

The first step is to open the car hood and then you should locate the automobile’s A/C lines or hoses

Step 2

After that, the negative battery cable of the car should be disconnected by using an open-ended wrench.

Step 3

Make sure to recover any refrigerant (discharge A/C system) with an A/C machine.

Step 4

The faulty A/C lines or hoses should then be carefully removed. Keep in mind to put your eye protection so that the refrigerant in the system does not get into your eyes when the hose is removed. 

Step 5

Then the next step is to install the new o-rings, A/C line, and hose. Once you have verified your work, install any parts which have been removed to gain access to the AC hose and line. 

Step 6

The negative battery cable should then be reconnected. 

Step 7

After that you should evacuate all residual A/C refrigerants.

Step 8

Recharge the A/C system with the appropriate refrigerant and have it leak-tested. Each car requires a different amount of air conditioning refrigerant, which is measured in pounds.

Step 9

Check to see if cold air is now coming out of the air duct by turning on the A/C system while the engine is running.