I had a completely cracked condenser... glad I didn't have to tear down a dash like that

 

Most people mis-understand and believe that it is normal that a car's A/C system needs an occasion recharge. This is false. The A/C in a car is much like your home OR an appliance like a refrigerator. I've NEVER recharged the freon in my fridge. If you need a freon re-charge in a car, it's because it leaked out somewhere. Some people have a small leak and just need a re-charge right as entering summer.

On my '84 Camaro, the evap coil is on the engine side of the firewall, fairly easy to get to. I'm willing to bet most manufacturers have done what GM did here and put it under the dash. My guess is that it's a part proven to rarely fail (lucky me).... I'm just hoping this will solve the problem and be worth all this effort.

 

Just a little heads up I found a website a while back that gives repair estimates Repair Pal. Its definitely a nifty little site. It says AC Evaporator Replacement for 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in my location is between $990-$1322 with $670-$850 being labor.so good look and looks like you will be saving a lot of cash They have an iphone/android app too.

 

Thanks Rellsun!! That info is making me feel a LOT better about this DIY route! I think if I got a quote like that, I might say that the A/C STAYS broken!

I just got in a few minutes ago, got last night's problem bolt out.... Re-read the shop book, found TWO more bolts (thanks to the shop book). I still can't get the cross brace out. It's like it's stuck on the plastic housing for the defroster (but those where the last two bolts I removed).

UGH!!! It just might have to wait a while, but I really wanted this piece out

 

PROPS MAN! Would you like to swap my whole interior to tan? lol jk looks like a lot of worka nd bonding time with the Monte.

 

I typically enjoy some of the car work I do these days, but NOT this....

 

Cross brace is out.... And to my dismay, I think the shop book is right, the HVAC module that houses the EVAP core must come out too. On the plus side, I inspected I believe all the things the shop book made mention to in order to release this and it appears straight forward.

At this point, I am at a stand still until I return from Vegas.

I'm really wondering, since the heater core is in this HVAC module if I should replace it while I'm doing this job.... Another words, attempted avoidance to ever ripping into this spot again!

 

holy crap, that's to much for me to remember how to put back together, I'd change to core if I were that far into it........

 

crap what a mess, i agree on changing the heater core, you're already there so you might as well get it done. I like that site rellsun, i got quoted $183-$252 for a thermostat change and i did it for the cost of the thermostat which was like $20.

 

I was gonna suggest changing the heater core or at least drilling out the rivets on the box and replacing them with screws. If you do change it out I had to order my heater core because no one had one in stock so keep that in mind. Also the pipes on the core rotate around to fit the monte carlo. Just a few tips. Now go win big in Vegas so you can finish it up.