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Which Evaporator??? 850

posted by  stkelly on  Thu Feb 6 07:16 CST 2003
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last visit: Fri Aug 31 18:55 CST 2012
[RELATED]

I've put it off as long as possible and now it's time to replace my evaporator. I'm trying to figure out which one I should buy. I wanted a copper core one, which we (the shop I was working with) did find, but when he tried to put it in one of their service/loaner 850s it didn't fit right. Supposedly it had a bar along the backside that didn't allow for the water to drain properly past the evaporator. Now I'm back to trying to find one that will hopefully have a longer life. I looked on a couple of sites and found that most sites sold two evaporators, the OEM one and one sold by Air Products Group (APG). The APG one appears to be aluminum, so I don't know if it'd be any better then the OEM one. Does anyone have any experience with the APG one? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for me of what to try to attempt to make the evap last longer (I already have the pollen filter)?

Thanks in advance
PS - Sorry for bringing up the dreaded evap topic early this year.
--
Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo








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    Which Evaporator??? 850

    posted by  Ken Temkin on  Fri Feb 7 02:36 CST 2003
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    last visit: Wed Oct 22 12:06 CST 2014
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    It is the general consensus that there has never been a copper evaporator core manufactured for the 850. So, unless you can give us a manufacturer, and part number, there is some mis-communication going on here, or, you are being humored by your mechanic.

    Regardless, I would have to belive that, given the labor expense here, you would want to go with the part which offers the greatest odds of quality. Although I have strong issues with Volvo quality, I would defer to using a Volvo part, if push came to shove.








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      Which Evaporator??? 850

      posted by  stkelly on  Fri Feb 7 03:44 CST 2003
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      last visit: Fri Aug 31 18:55 CST 2012
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      The mechanic located the copper core evaporator from a company called WorldPac (which is some large scale distributor). I could try and get a brand and part number for you, as the shop never told me either. I really wish I had taken pictures of it!! Because the shop (Scandinavian Import Servicenter in Rockville MD) called me when they got it in. The fins on it were aluminum and the pipes were copper (I held it with my own hands). It was about the same size (just a little smaller) and the connections were in the same place as the Volvo aluminum one. We compared them side by side. I don't know what else it could have been used for. But I think in the end I'll just stay with the Volvo OEM one, because as you and the previous poster stated, I could end up being worse off.

      Thanks

      Scott
      --
      Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo








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    only one IMO 850

    posted by  someone claiming to be Ron on  Thu Feb 6 16:23 CST 2003 [RELATED]

    Considering the labor involved, I wouldn't try an aftermarket Evap unless it's you doing the work and you won't mind doing it again soon if the gamble doesn't work. To my knowledge, no one knows just how long any aftermarket evap will last in comparison. I've also never seen or heard of a copper evap (or ANY copper AC part) and I've been in the bus. for 25 yrs now. Copper heater cores, yes but never a copper evap. A copper evap might not absorb heat well or last as long as aluminum in that application. If you're paying someone else for labor (likely), I wouldn't gamble.
    If you want it to last longer, replace the accumulator too with the Evap. That device absorbs moisture and becomes saturated (useless) if ever exposed to air for more than 20 minutes.








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      only one IMO 850

      posted by  stkelly on  Thu Feb 6 17:16 CST 2003
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      last visit: Fri Aug 31 18:55 CST 2012
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      Good point about the unproven reliability of aftermarket evaps. I'm actually doing the job myself, I set aside an entire weekend with the help of some friends. I'm replacing the accumulator as well as the compressor, since that too has sprung a leak. What a joy this job will be!
      Thanks for the advice. Kevin, another Brickboard member, e-mailed me some great directions, so hopefully I won't break too many things! If you happen to have any additional suggestions for me, I'd love to hear them.

      Thanks

      Scott
      --
      Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo








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        only one IMO 850

        posted by  someone claiming to be Ron on  Fri Feb 7 16:56 CST 2003 [RELATED]

        The accumulator needs to be the very last part you install after everything else is done so that it's not exposed to air long. You then MUST evacuate the system with an AC vacuum pump to -28 PSI for at least 20 minutes to remove all moisture. If you're unable to get a vacuum pump to do that, you're defeating your purpose in replacing the accumulator and chances are good that in 2-3 yrs, the new evap will leak again.








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          only one IMO 850

          posted by  stkelly on  Mon Feb 10 03:55 CST 2003
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          last visit: Fri Aug 31 18:55 CST 2012
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          Yeah, I'm actually having a repair shop do the compressor and accumulator, for that specific reason. I could do it, but I want them to the last parts 100% correctly to insure a long life for the evaporator.

          Thanks for all of your help.

          Scott
          --
          Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo







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