A/C Evaporator Factory Defect

[jrsimon27]

Bad weld that cracked, or a tube where it had a bend? Happen to get a photo?

Here is a pic.

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[GT Pony]

Here is a pic.

A leak there is probably the welds between the end tanks and the capillary tubes failing from repeated warm to cold thermal cycles.

If the bottom tube on the left tank is the cold inlet to the evaporator, then the bottom half of the evaporator probably gets the most stress from more extreme thermal cycle swings.

 

[vernonator]

My '16 GT (19k miles) recently had an A/C issue blowing warm on drivers, coolish on passenger. They said there was a leak from (quote from invoice) "High Side Valve Port. Attempted to change valve but it was seized in the line, broke core tool trying to remove. Replaced line from Compressor to Condenser". Seems to have fixed the problem as it is now blowing nice and cold from both sides. Hopefully this was truly the issue and I don't have to go back again for the condenser.

 

[Deleted member 35786]

Waited for the part to arrive 20 days.
Then they called me they had it.
Took them the car and my dealer said it was the first mustang that they would change the evaporator they had the car for 7 days.
Got it back today and everything seems perfect as before they worked really slow on it to get everything right.
That part number they installed on my car is the following.
FR3Z19850Y

They say its the newest part for the evap. And it came with the whole assembly not just the evaporator.

Interesting since I just had mine done a few weeks ago and they used part number: FR3Z 19860-B.
However, as another member stated the core itself was replaced and not the entire assembly on mine according to this part number.

 

[RIBS]

Ford released an updated TSB for the Evaporator problems, this one is extremely detailed! Take a Look:
https://ford.oemdtc.com/3936/poor-air-conditioning-a-c-performance-2015-2017-ford-mustang#more-3936

 

[JennyStang]

Yelp. Started car this morning Hot hot hot blowing from every vent 2015 gt with 17k. Worked last night dang it. I’m glad I bought a flood ford esp for 715 before warranty went out. The tech that does all my work said it’s eother your hot cold door. Sureeeee or my Evap went out. I’ll keep you posted. Sad face

 

[Deleted member 35786]

Ford released an updated TSB for the Evaporator problems, this one is extremely detailed! Take a Look:
https://ford.oemdtc.com/3936/poor-air-conditioning-a-c-performance-2015-2017-ford-mustang#more-3936

^^^ This is the best description yet! Thanks RIBS!

The dealer installed this one on mine a few weeks ago:
Evaporator Core Service Kit (3.7L, 5.0L, & 5.2L Engine) 1 FR3Z-19860-B

 

[Cobra Jet]

Ford released an updated TSB for the Evaporator problems, this one is extremely detailed! Take a Look:
https://ford.oemdtc.com/3936/poor-air-conditioning-a-c-performance-2015-2017-ford-mustang#more-3936

Great R&R detail in that PDF for those who are DIYers if out of warranty...

 

[Cobra Jet]

Question regarding AC interior temps:

How is it determined what the actual AC vent temp is in relation to what is occurring with the operation of the HVAC system?

Meaning, if my dual control HVAC is set to 70* on both sides, is the air coming from the HVAC box pushed out to all vents supposed to register 70* AT THE VENT, or is the temp within the box supposed to be lower - and sensors thermostatically get cabin to 70*?

I understand how an AC system works such as thermostatically, but in a vehicle it’s a little different than a home AC/HVAC system, right?

 

[GT Pony]

I understand how an AC system works such as thermostatically, but in a vehicle it’s a little different than a home AC/HVAC system, right?

It basically works the same as a home AC system. The air temperature coming out the vents is primarily based on the level of the refrigerant charge of the system. That's why the vent temp keeps getting warmer as the system leaks and the charge goes down. Recharge the system and you get very cold air out the vents again.

The AC compressor runs at a highet duty cycle (on/off cycling) if the temperature setpoint is set lower, and blows cold air (due to compressor cycling) until the thermostat in the csbin approaches the temperature setting. Then the compressor duty cycle will start cutting back and just run enough to maintain the cabin temperature setting.

 

[JohnK]

For those whose Mustang is out of warranty, what did you pay to have your evaporator core replaced? Did you have it done at a dealer or by an independent shop? Thanks much!

 

[blipszyc]

For those whose Mustang is out of warranty, what did you pay to have your evaporator core replaced? Did you have it done at a dealer or by an independent shop? Thanks much!

I just had this done, outside of warranty (50k miles) and the dealer charged 1600 + tax. I talked to an couple independent shops about it and they all wanted to do a diagnostic first and tried to tell me it was likely not the evaporator. Of course a diagnostic would be $200-400.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks much! What warranty is there on the new evaporator core?

 

[blipszyc]

Thanks much! What warranty is there on the new evaporator core?

I haven’t gotten a straight answer on the warranty - the person whom I picked it up from told me 2 years, but I couldn’t find that stated in any paperwork I was given. When I called Ford, they told me 1 year, parts only, but again, I don’t have anything in writing on this, and others online have said 90 days.

My plan is to keep this one more year and then maybe trade it in for a ‘19 or ‘20, or perhaps something completely different so I just hope it holds up until then.

I will say, I started smelling the funky AC smell that happens when the condensation doesn’t drain properly, and then about 2-3 months later the evaporator failed, so perhaps that’s a precursor others can use to diagnose the situation.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks again! If my A/C problem is the evaporator core, I'll have to think hard about selling it. What other part is going to fail down the road? I only have 9,000 miles on my car, so this is extremely disappointing. I'm sure there are others that feel the same way. Also, just heard that there's a major recall on the F-150, for a fire hazard with the seatbelts. It appears, "Quality is Job 1", is no longer the case at Ford Motor Company.

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