Is a evaporator the same as a AC condensor?

[nameisme]

Is a evaporator the same as a AC condensor? I have a peugeot 307 2005 1.6 HDI. I took it to a AC "Specialist" who ran dye in it and said theres a leak in the evaportator. So I bought a new AC condensor for it thinking the evaporator and condensor is the same thing. He then said "no no no, you need an evaporator not a condensor for it". Can anyone advise please or give me a link to a evaporator for my car for me to buy?
Can anyone advise please or give me a link to a REPUTABLE parts website for a evaporator for my car for me to buy?


I phoned up a parts specialist and he said that a new AC evaporator is about £700 for a full evaporator housing as thats what you need if you need a new evaporator.

 

[stem]

They are not the same item. The condenser is where the refrigerant condenses. In a car this is outside the passenger compartment usually at the front near the radiator and it gets hot during operation. The evaporator is where expansion of the refrigerant takes place, this is located inside the vehicle's heater enclosure and gets cold during operation.

The AC specialist who has examined the car, or a Peugeot main dealer would be the best person to advise you. Manufacturers sometimes change the design, or their supplier of components through the production life cycle of a vehicle, so you would need to make a positive identification, either physically or from the vehicles VIN number.

 

[Stivino]

HVAC images

 

[nameisme]

Just spoke to a mechanic and he said that its a dash out job to replace the evaporator. What is a dash out job? is that a big job to replace a evaporator? whats cost of a new evaporator?

 

[clio1.5dci88mk32012]

requires removal of the dashboard all the plastic

 

[Gasguru]

A dash out can be £££££££££££££

 

[nameisme]

Thanks, appreciate it. Dont suppose you are familiar with online parts etc and could maybe give me a few links to a breaker with working a/c or the evaporator at aftermarket price?

 

[Burnerman]

The price of the evaporator is nowt compared with the effort of getting to it mate.....no second hand bits here!
I haven’t had the pleasure of doing this Peugeot but have done a Clio.....6 hours it took, including shifting the steering column.
John

 

[Stivino]

He must be made of rubber if he managed to see the evaporator.
Have you thought about getting a second opinion?

 

[Avocet]

As others have said, the evaporator is usually behind the dash. Because of its protected position, it is very rare for an evaporator to fail (I have a 30 year old car and the evaporator is fine)! The condenser lives in front of the radiator and is very vulnerable to stone damage and corrosion. In my experience, a leak in an aircon system is nearly always the condenser. I would certainly seek a second opinion.

 

[Keithmac]

You can use UV dye and also a sniffer to detect refrigerant.

I've seen plenty of videos on YouTube of them being replaced (not a nice job!), so they do fail.

 

[JohnD]

In my experience, a leak in an aircon system is nearly always the condenser.

But mine have been pipe seals at the connections.

it is much easier to see the dye stains if you first give the underbonnet a really good clean and remove all dirt and grease.

 

[Stivino]

Unless it's a very small leak, you'll be able to see it without the need for the dye.

 

[Avocet]

But mine have been pipe seals at the connections.

it is much easier to see the dye stains if you first give the underbonnet a really good clean and remove all dirt and grease.

Aye, true enough, but the dye wouldn't help with that on an evaporator because you can't usually see them (or their joints) anyway.

 

[Stivino]

Aye, true enough, but the dye wouldn't help with that on an evaporator because you can't usually see them (or their joints) anyway.

More often than not, the joints are under the bonnet and not inside the car.