So I went to the dealership and a local shop a few months ago to diagnose why my ac is not working anymore. After both checked the outside and did the leak test, both concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that there must be a leak in the evaporator inside the truck that is leaking out the refrigerant and would cost a pretty penny to repair due to pulling the whole dash out. Like many others could agree, $1000+ on a repair for a stupid little core is outrageous but I understand the time it takes to do this task. After heavy searching, I could not find any DIYs on replacing the cores for the 2004-2008 models, only the 90s/early 2000s models. I have a king ranch and know it must be even more difficult with all of the little electrical components and wires that the base models lack. That being said, is there anyone here that has performed such a difficult repair that could provide some input or valuable information before I make a decision to get it done by them or myself? Someone did suggest that since the evaporator is going to be replaced, that it would be smart to replace the heater core and blend door while at it to avoid another costly repair In the future. Now I feel like that makes sense to do as well since my truck is at 120k miles. Please gimme thoughts and opinions! I am very tech savvy but am super paranoid of messing something up if I perform such a complex task and fall into more costly repairs and being in college, money is definitely a factor.

 

There is leak stop products out there. Might be worth a try.

 

For AC? Maybe for the seals but I've never heard of one for a hole in the system. Maybe I just haven't heard of it.

 

They do have a product that supposedly will plug small holes, but there are 2 bad things about A/C stop leak products you need to consider:

1. If you have any moisture whatsoever in the system, it will plug it up and ruin it. You have to completely evacuate the system with a vacuum pump and give it a fresh 134 charge if you are going to put it in.

2. No pros will work on a system that's had this stuff put in it (and they WILL ask) because it will contaminate their (expensive) equipment.

 

I would try the stop leak products, but i have heard that they do more damage to the a/c system. Now by leak in the evaporator, this isn't a 100% possibility. There could be a leak from a hose but nothing can be diagnosed unless they get in there to check and that runs me at over a grand from labor alone. If these stop leak products do work without damaging my a/c system, then I will take the risk but I just wish I could get a breakdown of how hard it would be to pull that dash out because I would like to check it myself and save myself the big dent in my wallet. All I see are instructions to pull out the dash on the previous gen. I might be a lone wolf with this situation

 

your better off fixing whats wrong with the a/c system than using stop leak. stop leak is designed to plug small holes, your a/c condenser and evaporator have a bunch of small tubes and will be come plugged by stop leak, also your expansion valve or orifice tube has small passages this will plug also and cause you more issues in the future and lots more money.