Evaporator nightmare

M

melmark

Contributing Member
Joined
7 July 2003
Messages
135
Location
socal
I had the evaporator replaced on my '91 just 3 years ago by the local dealer. Now I'm told it needs replacement AGAIN. At $1400 the first time, and now "discounted" to $1100 the second time, I'm pissed to say the least. I've got a complaint in to the factory rep because he denied the dealers request for compensation.

Has anyone had a new evaporator crap out in just 2-3 years? WTF? :mad:
 
I changed my evaporator a couple of months ago and was contemplating purchasing an aftermarket version from E-Bay. Not that it was cheaper, it just seems the Showa OEM part is not up to par. Its too bad they dont make this part out of copper.
 
melmark said:
I had the evaporator replaced on my '91 just 3 years ago by the local dealer. Now I'm told it needs replacement AGAIN. At $1400 the first time, and now "discounted" to $1100 the second time, I'm pissed to say the least. I've got a complaint in to the factory rep because he denied the dealers request for compensation.

Has anyone had a new evaporator crap out in just 2-3 years? WTF? :mad:
Click to expand...

Something doesnt sound right to start with,
The evap core is a 20 hr job Flat rate from a dealer then the evap is $750.00 so I am not sure what they did for $1400.00 but it just doesnt sound right.
$750 evap + ~$85/hr flat rate = $2450 minimum from a dealer and most dealers charge more than $85/hr for NSX work.
 
My car is in right now for a new evaporator. $3,400. Too bad Acura doesn't do these for free like they did for Snap Rings. :frown:
 
Edgemts said:
Something doesnt sound right to start with,
The evap core is a 20 hr job Flat rate from a dealer then the evap is $750.00 so I am not sure what they did for $1400.00 but it just doesnt sound right.
$750 evap + ~$85/hr flat rate = $2450 minimum from a dealer and most dealers charge more than $85/hr for NSX work.
Click to expand...

I purchased my evaporator from Delray Acura in Florida for around $450.00. I really dont see why an experienced tech or even unexperienced for that matter couldn't do it in under 15 hours.
 
Zennsx said:
I purchased my evaporator from Delray Acura in Florida for around $450.00. I really dont see why an experienced tech or even unexperienced for that matter couldn't do it in under 15 hours.
Click to expand...

I didn t say it couldnt be done in less time, and the price is ~$750(dealer quoted- not list) on the evap.
It also depends on how much time is taken being "careful"- considering most of the interior has to come out. How rushed would you want someone to be?
I have one apart doing an evap now, Its just time consuming.

Just so you know, I am not saying these are the prices that should be paid, I called a couple of local dealers and these are the off the street prices given.
 
Last edited:
Briank said:
I was quoted $1800 for parts and labor just change the evap. That is without about $260 for evac and recharge which the dealer good willed because it was about the 5th time they had worked on the AC system.
Click to expand...
It's worth noting that your particular dealer has generally low labor rates ($92/hour last I heard) and their service director often goodwills items and throws in freebies and discounts and sometimes undercharges for the number of hours actually worked. Which, of course, along with their high level of expertise on the NSX, is why a lot of Chicago-area NSX owners drive 100 miles up there even though competent NSX service is also available at a couple of the Chicago area dealers.
 
Are there any aftermarket evaporators available that are better quality than the crappy showa unit? Dropping over a grand every few years for this is ridiculous.
 
Zennsx said:
$3400.00 ! :eek: Yikes.. I'm in the wrong business.
Click to expand...
It's $3,400 or I have to keep sweating! :biggrin:
 
SoCalDude said:
It's $3,400 or I have to keep sweating! :biggrin:
Click to expand...


That's WAY too high. I just got the quote from the dealer (in socal):

part= $690 or so, labor = $700. You're getting ripped off unless there's a lot of extra work you haven't mentioned.
 
It could include replacing the compressor if its that expensive. My 91 is waiting for the compressor to completely fail for me to replace or repair one. The compressor is Nippon Denso right?
SoCalDude said:
It's $3,400 or I have to keep sweating! :biggrin:
Click to expand...
 
melmark said:
That's WAY too high. I just got the quote from the dealer (in socal):

part= $690 or so, labor = $700. You're getting ripped off unless there's a lot of extra work you haven't mentioned.
Click to expand...

SOme one mis-quoted you there is no way anybody, much less a shop or dealer would do it for $700.00.

Just called Tischer in LAurel, MD where several people have gotten there CTSC installed recently and there estimate was $2400.00
 
Edgemts said:
SOme one mis-quoted you there is no way anybody, much less a shop or dealer would do it for $700.00.

Just called Tischer in LAurel, MD where several people have gotten there CTSC installed recently and there estimate was $2400.00
Click to expand...
Not $700 total, thats just labor. I paid about $1500 total for it the first time at my local acura dealer.
 
melmark said:
Not $700 total, thats just labor. I paid about $1500 total for it the first time at my local acura dealer.
Click to expand...

The FIRST TIME? How many times has it been done?

I have a theory:
No facts to base it on other than
1. Replacing the evap is an time consuming job. Say 15hrs plus
2. COST on a new Evap from Acura is $400++
3. Adavance AUto parts apparently will sell you a evap for ~$150.00

My theory is this:
The people who have had their evaporators replaced inexpensively seem to be the same people who are having to have it done again.SO my guess is that they either got the Advance special installed(good for maybe a year or two) or their evap's were fixed and maybe good for ????years/ days.
Just a Theory.
Not even $.02 worth. :wink:
 
My '91 has 88,xxx miles on it and I am the sixth owner. According to the very complete records that I have on my car the evaporator has been replaced no fewer than 3 times already. And I now am having cooling problems myself. Blows cool but not cool enough to keep up. I'm hoping it just needs a recharge. :eek:
 
Failed on me 3 years back, then got it repaired with some super-duper-glue-epoxy stuff. Newprice overhere at the time was 1030 dollar, must be something like 1200~1300 dollars now. Part only.

Failed again just a few weeks back, have to do it all over again. What a nightmare..........
So, a 50 dollar repair lasted for 3 years... i wonder whats going on over there ;)
 
Ewwwww!!!! Seems I may have caught something reading your post and passed it along to my car! My AC went out the first time I got back in it after reading your story, and now my car is in a local dealer's shop for replacement of (you guessed it!) the evaporator!
Mine is the compressor, evaporator, receiver, clutch set, stator set, valve, etc, etc, and will cost $4,500!!!
Does that make you feel any better?
Labor rate is $110 and quoted at 19 hours to do all the required work.
I'd rather have a root canal! (or 3 or 4)

Zap
 
A root canal is not painful? Just boring for an hour or so.
 

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