Climate control vacuum leak testing? - Page 2

SCBrian · 07-19-2015, 07:50 AM

Thread revival. Hopped in the van this AM. A/C blowing through the defrost just like mentioned above. Took some panels out, looked at what you described. Watched the videos, found the Dorman canister on Amazon. Where you lost me is at when you brought the hose through the firewall and plugged in the canister did you reconnect the other end of the hose into the canister or did you run the hose to another location? I plan to pick up a vacuum pump later to test out one or two things. 92* with 76% humidity today. Not the best day to drive the van without A/C.

joey2cool · 07-25-2015, 10:46 AM

Status update: It's been close to two years now since original symptom showed up and we've driven to the Siera Nevadas via I5 with temps in loe 90s. No symptoms or problems. Makes me think about electronic gremlins... still waiting for something worse to happen.

SCBrian · 07-29-2015, 05:08 AM

I completed the repair last night. I tore into the van over the weekend trying to wrap my head around everything discussed above. I picked a vacuum pump/gauge on Monday to help further investigate. I finally sourced the parts yesterday for the repair locally, I bought a Napa vacuum tank. After several more trips I found the hose and fittings to complete the repair. All said and done about 10 different stores because the small fittings are hard to find. When all said and done I have $40 in the pump==which you probably would not absolutely need at the end of the day but I couldn't have done it without one. The parts were about $30 for the repair. I drove the van last night and everything still seems to be working after the repair. I still need to re install some interior components to make everything complete.

The only difference in my van compared to the OP was I had a check valve that I could not pull through the firewall. I had to cut the plug off then pull out towards the grill. At the end of the day the hose attached to the check valve was most likely the issue. It was badly deteriorated.

larrie · 10-12-2018, 11:00 AM

Had the same issue come up on the way back from Mexico this summer. The van sure get hot without AC.

I pulled the plug out of the fire wall in the passenger foot well. Then after some thought cut the vacuum line to the dash at the red line.

I used a cut up coat hanger to fish a string through the firewall. It came out just below and to the left of the fan.

Then taped the string to the new vacuum line and and pulled it through into the engine bay and up to the vacuum pump connector noted in OP.

The new vacuum ball does not have the in and out ports labeled so it took a bit of experimenting with a vacuum gauge and pump to figure out which was which. The one with the shield is the outlet.

The vacuum ball fits nicely behind the metal brace that holds the facial panel on the passenger side. Used Gorilla tape to hold it in place.

It is nice to AC again.

Orv · 10-12-2018, 01:27 PM

That takes me back. I got a ton of use out of my hand vacuum pump when I had a Mercedes diesel. Everything seemed to be vacuum operated on that beast, including the engine fuel cut-off and the door locks. Leaks would cause all kinds of bizarre symptoms, like "the engine won't shut off unless I lock the doors."

MadScience · 10-12-2018, 11:38 PM

FWIW, I managed to get a vacuum hose through the fender and then the door on the passenger side. Also no drilling. I did this to splice the vacuum operated heater core bypass valve into the recirculate position.

Side note: I've since cleaned the evaporator which was dirty and the real culprit of my lack of cold air.

larrie · 10-13-2018, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadScience

Side note: I've since cleaned the evaporator which was dirty and the real culprit of my lack of cold air.

Can you do a write up on cleaning the evaporator?

MadScience · 10-14-2018, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larrie

Can you do a write up on cleaning the evaporator?

I've been meaning to share that, so sure:

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...tml#post237608

I started a new thread since that may generate some discussion that's a bit off topic to this one.

calclimber · 10-14-2018, 05:22 PM

I did this repair on mine about a year ago. Worked like a charm. Tons of research to get the answers Though.

Soloracer · 06-14-2020, 10:43 AM

Just completed this on my 06 Diesel. Only difference is the vacuum splice in the engine bay is by the windshield washer fluid fill spout. Otherwise it is just like it is described here. I purchased some fancy silicone vacuum tubing that is much thicker then the original hose so I had to cut the rubber grommet in half length wise and clam shell it over the hose and force it back into the firewall. I’m hoping the silicone hose will make it so I won’t have to repeat this again, I learned in my Land Cruiser days that is silicone was an option you use it.