I just cleaned the evaporator core, having removed the glove box, using methods suggested in searched threads. But despite my best effort I was only able to partially open the plastic canister that holds the evap core. I removed a few screws and a metal clip and spread the two halves of the canister - but only partially, which gave me very limited access. I cleaned a lot of crap out, but so much is still there. I used disinfectant on the evap core already, but I just want to unclog all those evap core cells/channels on the core itself to get some more air flow through.


Is there a way to take off the bottom half of the plastic canister that holds the evap core and clean the evap core properly? Has anyone been able to get to the screws in the back of that canister, which are wedged against the firewall on the passenger side, so that the bottom half drops? Are there any tricks to it? Does anyone have a blow up pic of the canister itself, as the diagram in the FSM is not detailed enough, same goes for the diagram on courtesy parts actually. They don't show the screws that hold the two halves of the canister, or where they are, as far as I can tell.

The partial cleaning I did made a WORLD of difference, but I'd love to clean the fuqer properly.

 

Is your A/C system empty? I believe the only way to remove the plastic housing that holds the evaporator core is to disconnect the A/C lines in the engine bay that go to the firewall. then remove all the screws holding the evaporator housing and it should pop out. Once out you can remove all the screws for the plastic evap housing and it should separate so you can get in there and clean it out. Also to remove the evap housing there is a plastic piece in front of it you will probably have to saw off. I did this about 2 months ago.

 

No, i didn't purge the system. I was hoping I would not have to. Just wondering whether there is a metal clip and two screws in the back of the box, firewall-side, just like in the front. Also, how the drain tube is attached.

The entire time I was trying to clean the evaporator core, I thought, I wish they put some sort of door on this box that would help to stick a vacuum in there.

I may just make some special vacuum extension with a narrow diameter and a right angle at the end, a pvc tube and elbow or something, and see if I can vacuum some of the crap off that way....
I was also wondering if pulling back the carpeting from the firewall would give me enough room to see the screws with a mirror or something....

What PITA. Faq.

 

Is there a diagram/ blow-up of how the evaporator canister's drain is connected to the firewall drain pipe?