95 E320 AC repair - evaporator

[TomLatos]

My ac is out. I called my local indi and during the conversation he told me that it is likely that the evaporator is the culprit - and to R&R, the entire dash must come out for access - about 20 hrs to do the job with an estimate for this job at $2K.

I got a good suggestion from him to verify that the evaporator is the culprit - charge the system and include UV dye, and if the water condensate coming off of the evaporator has dye trace in the water that's the culprit.

So the question - is it hard to replace the evaporator - does the entire dash have to come out?

My trusty MB only has 180 kmi on the clock and I hate to give up on it! Thanks for the advice.

IF, again I say IF, the evaporator needs to come out it does involve pulling the dash. It may well take many people 20 hours to do the job, but I think the flat rate calls for something like 15.5.

Yes, if UV Dye is in the drain water, then it is likely the evaporator. These evaporators go out much more often than the same part in many other cars, but it is not imminent. My '88 300E still has the factory evap and is still making 38 degree air at the vent.

If it has to be changed, then it has to be changed, but MAKE SURE that it is bad before you go to the trouble and expense.

Good luck,