AC evaporator calls it quits at 32K miles?

[ssgswole]

I recently took my 21 Yukon in for regular service and the AC stopped blowing cold after a couple days of picking it up. Take it back in for service and they tell me that they need to replace the evaporator and recharge the system. They wanna charge me 3800 for everything. I've only got 32k miles on it and I drive it like a soccer mom. Should the evaporator be going out at 32k miles?

 

[Micahsd]

I'd say that's not normal. I'd see if they can do some customer appreciation thing though GM to avoid paying for the full cost.

I had a 2017 Acadia with the same issue in 2020...evaporator went out at 42k miles. Complained and they covered the labor and I only had to pay for parts. It was still a $1,400 bill but it was better than the full cost.

 

[Doubeleive]

I take it GM doesn't do the 3yr 36k bumper to bumper coverage anymore?

right off the gm website for all 2016 and newer
NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY

GMC vehicles registered in the U.S.A. are covered for 3 years/36,000 miles (whichever comes first). The complete vehicle is covered from bumper-to-bumper —including tires, towing to your nearest GMC dealer and cosmetic corrosion resulting from defects. Repairs will be made to correct any defect in materials or workmanship. In addition, rust-through corrosion will be covered for 6 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

 

[StephenPT]

Should be covered under warranty. If not, take it to an HVAC shop and ask them to look it over. Evaporator leaks are not easy to find, without dash removal. I highly doubt the dealer dug into it and found the evaporator leak point.

Your problem could also be a heater blend door actuator. Proper diagnosis is key and I would get a second opinion.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

I recently took my 21 Yukon in for regular service and the AC stopped blowing cold after a couple days of picking it up. Take it back in for service and they tell me that they need to replace the evaporator and recharge the system. They wanna charge me 3800 for everything. I've only got 32k miles on it and I drive it like a soccer mom. Should the evaporator be going out at 32k miles?

Was this at the dealer, or an independen shop? As others have said, should still be within the 36k mile warranty; but depending on the date this particular vehicle was palced in service, you could be past 3 years.

 

[Polo08816]

Evaporators usually don't fail or leak...

 

[ssgswole]

I take it GM doesn't do the 3yr 36k bumper to bumper coverage anymore?

right off the gm website for all 2016 and newer
NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY

GMC vehicles registered in the U.S.A. are covered for 3 years/36,000 miles (whichever comes first). The complete vehicle is covered from bumper-to-bumper —including tires, towing to your nearest GMC dealer and cosmetic corrosion resulting from defects. Repairs will be made to correct any defect in materials or workmanship. In addition, rust-through corrosion will be covered for 6 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first).

My warranty expired in November of 23 and it doesn't sound like they will extend me a courtesy.

 

[ssgswole]

Was this at the dealer, or an independen shop? As others have said, should still be within the 36k mile warranty; but depending on the date this particular vehicle was palced in service, you could be past 3 years.

Dealer

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

My warranty expired in November of 23 and it doesn't sound like they will extend me a courtesy.

That is a serious bummer...Given the bumper to bumper warranty is out; maybe a second opinion at a good independent shop?
Evaporator is in the dash, so I would suppose the labor bill is high.

 

[StephenPT]

My warranty expired in November of 23 and it doesn't sound like they will extend me a courtesy.

$3800 bill is predominately coming from the high labor to remove the dash assembly. I would want proof from the dealer that they found a leak in the evaporator before paying them to replace it. New evap is ~$175 at the online parts warehouses. 1234YF refrigerant charge is 1KG, which is about $100 in refrigerant.

Let's say the dealer charges $175 labor rate (extra generous) - that means it will take them ~20hrs of labor to R&R the evaporator and recharge the system.

Get a second opinion.

 

[Tahoe14]

You could always buy an extended warranty from one of the online Dealers that sell the warranty at a discount. At least you would have something to show for your money. It’s cold now for a couple of months so no AC needed and then take it to a different Dealer. Lots of electronics on these newer vehicles that are expensive to repair.

 

[Seamus]

You could always buy an extended warranty from one of the online Dealers that sell the warranty at a discount. At least you would have something to show for your money. It’s cold now for a couple of months so no AC needed and then take it to a different Dealer. Lots of electronics on these newer vehicles that are expensive to repair.

I have been looking for a forum Dealer with discounted warranty. My dealer doesnt even sell the GM protection warranty only Ally. I got my Mercedes warranty from dealer on forum for a huge discount. Do you know of a GM dealer on here?? Than ks

 

[Stbentoak]

You could always buy an extended warranty from one of the online Dealers that sell the warranty at a discount. At least you would have something to show for your money. It’s cold now for a couple of months so no AC needed and then take it to a different Dealer. Lots of electronics on these newer vehicles that are expensive to repair.

If there is ANY record of the vehicle being in for this condition, prior to warranty purchase, the claim will be denied... Fair warning.....
This is why warranty needs to be bought long before you go off of factory warranty.

 

[Tahoe14]

Seamus, Knapp automotive and Durayuk posted another one recently if you look up his post @DuraYuk

 

[Polo08816]

$3800 bill is predominately coming from the high labor to remove the dash assembly. I would want proof from the dealer that they found a leak in the evaporator before paying them to replace it. New evap is ~$175 at the online parts warehouses. 1234YF refrigerant charge is 1KG, which is about $100 in refrigerant.

Let's say the dealer charges $175 labor rate (extra generous) - that means it will take them ~20hrs of labor to R&R the evaporator and recharge the system.

Get a second opinion.

+1. I think 20 hours of labor would be excessive for this job.

 

[malba2366]

+1. I think 20 hours of labor would be excessive for this job.

I would get a second opinion, but dealers almost always use the book hours for a given job. An experienced tech could probably do it in much less time, but you would have to go to an independent mechanic to get a better price.

It is probably less than 20 hours, the labor rate for most dealers is well over $200 an hour these days. It is a time consuming job, they have to take the entire dash apart, replace the evaporator then vacuum evacuate the system before recharging...so it is not a quick repair. I had to have the evaporator coil replaced on my home system and it took the guy most of the day to do it, and that was pretty easily accessible.

This is probably a repair I would have done at the dealer, or someone who specializes in AC repair. If you take it to some random low cost repair shop they may not properly evacuate the system and you will have even more problems down the road.

 

[Silverado4x4]

I think 20hrs of labor is about right from start to finish mostly the finish with evacuating the system charging etc and tool clean up, his time doesn't stop till he parks the vehicle and signs off.

 

[DuraYuk]

Evaporators usually don't fail or leak...

They do. It's pretty common. Debris gets into the box and condensation keeps it wet. Eventually a small pin hole leak forms where it touches. Happens all the time.

 

[Polo08816]

Evaporators usually don't fail or leak...

They do. It's pretty common. Debris gets into the box and condensation keeps it wet. Eventually a small pin hole leak forms where it touches. Happens all the time.

Maybe it's a matter of relativity.

My experience is that compressors, condensers, AC expansion valve, and/or o-rings at HVAC line connection points tend to fail sooner than an evaporator or a heater core. I've never had to replace a evaporator or heater core before I had to replace one of the aforementioned components.