1998 s70 Changing an Evaporator Core - in Pictures…warning, excessive Red ☺️

Post by **songzunhuang** » 08 Jan 2009, 22:34

About a year ago I embarked on the evaporator core exchange after the local Volvo dealer said that it was leaking. Like many folks, I was wondering if I could do this myself as the part wasn't too expensive ($100) but the labor was ridiculous ($1,400). So I thought I would try it. Here are the fruits of my efforts.

===< Update 7/9/2025 - It has been MANY years since I did this job. > ===
Someone reached out to me and let me know that my original Shutterfly link is now dead. So I have created a Google Photos link.
Link to https://photos.app.goo.gl/dVDk53LbvAdu3K6f9

Anyone can see, and maybe add comments as well. Please do add comments as I have not had time to go back and put useful information on every picture.

===< End Update >===

Now you know what it looks like. Thanks for all the help that sites like this have given me when it came time to maintain my car. I am hoping this will add a little bit back to the community.

BTW: The dealer was wrong! After 2 days of work, I discovered that my evap core was just fine. You can see it in the picture. The old one was in great shape. The problem was actually a hose! That dealer closed down last year. I guess it's karma.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Jan 2009, 23:20

Wow! Thank you very much for registering here and allowing us a way to see those spectacular pictures. The evaporator replacement always boggles my mind- something I don't want to have to tackle myself, but I know it's coming up on my S70 sometime in the future- possibly even this summer. Just curious, how long it took you. We hope you stick around and become a contributing member to this forum.
Regards,
MIJ

Post by **songzunhuang** » 08 Jan 2009, 23:27

Hey, thanks for the quick response. I've changed so many things on this car (it's my wife's) and I have maniacally taken pictures of each process. The issue is that it takes SO LONG to organize, upload and post all the pictures with comments.

It took me almost 1.5 years to get to putting this sequence up. I've got pictures of tune ups (wires, mass air flow, ECT, rotor, cap, plugs), Suspension replacement, O2 sensor replacement, etc. etc. Just can't find time to post them all.

As for the Evap core. It took me 2 solid days working about 8-10 hours. That's probably way too long, but the dealer was quoting me around 16 hours, so I don't think I did too badly. I'd guess it would go much faster if you knew what you were doing and you had a helper!

JFO · Post by **JFO** » 09 Jan 2009, 12:15

You were wise to go ahead and use the new evaporator, even though the old one appeared to be OK. I did mine last summer and the old unit looked perfect...no sign of corrosion or visible pinholes. The only sign it was leaking was a very small amount of green residue on the bottom, which I believe was the tracer dye the shop used to look for the leak. The system would not hold pressure but they never did actually find any conclusive area of leakage with the test, probably because the leak was small and on the bottom rear of the core. The new evaporator fixed it.

Jim

Post by **songzunhuang** » 09 Jan 2009, 19:04

Yeah Jim, I figured that after all the trouble I went through I shouldn't skimp with a $100 part.

However, I looked for any sign of a leak and there was nothing. The case was squeaky clean. Thanks for your reply.

Now I am trying to track down the cause of a misfire, but that's another story.

===========
98 V70 T5 - 148K miles
92 LS400 - 228K miles
00 S2000 - 38K miles

frans_v70 · Post by **frans_v70** » 28 Jun 2011, 04:53

Brief question... any idea how the de-icing is controlled ... I'm running in a problem where my evaporator gets blocked by ice.
System has been refilled and checked.
The car is a V70 2001. Some say it has to do with the expansion valve... but your pictures does not shows the expansion valve. There is also rumour that the de-icing is controlled by a temperature sensor ??? I have no clue at all.
perhaps you could help me out on this one...

best regards,

Frans....

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 28 Jun 2011, 07:07

Is your cabin air filter clean?

Post by **Xilikon** » 28 Jun 2011, 08:38

Great set of pictures to show the process, that would make me more confident to do the job since I'm afraid mine might be on the way out (need to confirm this thursday when a AC specialist do a whole inspection of the system).

frans_v70 · Post by **frans_v70** » 28 Jun 2011, 09:03

ecbsykes wrote:Is your cabin air filter clean?

Has been replaced about a year ago... Without the AC I have plenty air flow coming trough the vents... But will have a look later this day.
The air flow gradually reduces while the AC is on... until the moment there isn't a flow left, by switching off the AC the airflow comes back after a few minutes.

regards,

Frans

Outdoorguy1963 · Post by **Outdoorguy1963** » 06 Jul 2012, 07:52

It looks like the Kodak Gallery is closed as of July 2012. Everything is moving to Shutterfly. I'm not sure if we'll have access to the pictures anymore.