AC problem

[GilbertsGrape]

I have a 98 Dakota with 176,000 mileage on it and the ac is down. Evap core leak and the compressor cuts out after 15 min. turn the AC off wait a few min and turn it back on and it will work for 15 more min or so.

evap core was a little less than $100 to replace it the dash has to come out so labor is going to be $ 200 - $ 250 and i was told while replaceint it i should replace the heater core because it is a hard to get to part and hte part is about $44

what do you all think it is worth it. i have maintained the fruck fresh oil and filter ever 3000 - 3500 miles.

[mechmike0034]

$400 is one months car payment...
Are you certain the evap is leaking? Are you having to periodically add refrigerant?

[DarkFury]

I have a 98 Dakota with 176,000 mileage on it and the ac is down. Evap core leak and the compressor cuts out after 15 min. turn the AC off wait a few min and turn it back on and it will work for 15 more min or so.

evap core was a little less than $100 to replace it the dash has to come out so labor is going to be $ 200 - $ 250 and i was told while replaceint it i should replace the heater core because it is a hard to get to part and hte part is about $44

what do you all think it is worth it. i have maintained the fruck fresh oil and filter ever 3000 - 3500 miles.
Honestly, to keep from buying a new truck (and having a new truck payment), small repair costs like this are chicken feed in the grand sense of things.

The truck is almost 10 years old!!! You gotta expect SOMETHING to give out eventually. At least the A/C is generally not a deal breaker as far as a vehicle goes. I'd just pay the $400 and keep on truckin'. :thumb:

[attgig]

if the drivetrain hasn't been giving you any problems, keep on truckin!

[GilbertsGrape]

yea i have to heep adding 134a the
ac guy said he cant find it leaking anywhere else so it must be the evap core.

[GilbertsGrape]

i wonder how many more miles i can get out of this truck. knock on wood it has been good to me. i guess if i get a month out of it i will have broke even with a new truck payment

[DarkFury]

i wonder how many more miles i can get out of this truck. knock on wood it has been good to me. i guess if i get a month out of it i will have broke even with a new truck payment
Seriously, if you take care of it, I'd bet you could get another 10 years out of that truck.

Especially if you have the old Dodge 318 (5.2L V8) engine in it... those things were workhorses! I had one in my 99 Dakota, prior to trading it in on my Ram 1500 Hemi. :thumb:

[Prngr44]

i wonder how many more miles i can get out of this truck. knock on wood it has been good to me. i guess if i get a month out of it i will have broke even with a new truck payment

MORE than that 'cause as soon as you drive that new vehicle off the lot you're in the hole. ;)

[mechmike0034]

yea i have to heep adding 134a the
ac guy said he cant find it leaking anywhere else so it must be the evap core.

If it is a severe enough leak that you need to keep adding refrigerant but your A/C tech can't find it then you need a new A/C tech, or the one you have needs to get some training and a good leak detector. If he hasn't found it he's not looking hard enough for it.

You can typically test evap leaks by unbolting the blower motor resistor or blower fan, or by leak-checking the condensation drain (refrigerant is heavier than air). Has he tried dye and ultraviolet light?