Does anyone know where I can get a copper core evaporator? I searched the archives and Bou Bou stated WorldPac, my indie shop called them and they didn't stock one. If they do stock one that will fit could someone give me a part number??? Any other resource suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Scott
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Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo

To my knowledge, no one makes a copper core evap for ANY car. Now....there are probably very good reasons for that and one comes to mind, ever see an aged copper radiator? It turns green and flakes apart, wouldn't be a good thing in your cars interior then would it?
It probably would not work as well either, like wouldn't absorb heat as well as alluminum.

I think that those who claim to have had one installed are confusing radiators with evaporators. You can get copper radiators for many cars but not AC parts like condensors or evaps which are always alluminum.

Actually I think they used copper core evaporators (not ALL manufacturers) in cars until the change over to 134a (An example is the 87 MB 420 SEL). 134a is less efficient then R12 so auto makers switched to aluminum for better thermal transfer. I've heard that many people with Chrysler's (Minivans in particular) who have had the aluminum evaporator breaking problem were able to switch to aftermarket copper ones. I'm almost 100% certain they exist, whether they do or not for our car is the question. If it doesn't I'm going to try and find another manufacturers copper evaporator that will fit, or even try and see if someone will custom make one to fit. The A/C won't be as cool, but it's probably not something you would notice that much.

If there is any interest in a custom made copper evaporator, let me know. I will do some research and if someone will make one, I'll post for a possible group buy.


Scott

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Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo

I've been a tech for many years, even at shops that also repaired MBs but I've never seen an MB evap needing replacement, especially for an R12 '87 car or anything but aluminum used for any evap. Never worked on any newer Chryslers (besides 60s-70s cars) but I'd be surprised if an aftermarket copper evap (if really available) was or would be a good thing. Every OEM evap that I've seen, even 60s, 70s cars came with aluminum.

If one ever does find a place that sells copper evaps for 850s, I'd highly question the parts warranty and labor warranty if it fails as it might not even be as long as Volvos 1 yr, unlimited mile parts warranty.

If an 850 owner plans to keep the car more than another 3-4 yrs from now (few really do) and is willing to spend the extra money, Volvo DOES offer a new "kit" that's designed to help make the replacement evap last longer and to do it correctly, one needs a vacuum pump to properly evacuate the system after replacing the accumulator and evap) part of the kit.

Scott,

From the lack of responses and from watching this forum for a while, I would say that the answer to your question in no, there is no copper evaporator manufactured for the 850.

This question has come up in this forum a number of times and each time someone respondes that they had their evaporator replaced with a copper version. But each time, under questioning, it turns out they were talking about their radiator.

There have also been a number of people who have claimed that they were "told" that their evaporator was replaced with a copper version, but they have little demonstrated anything to back this up.

I myself would like to have a copper evaporator option. So, if there is anyone out there who can give us the name of a manufacturer, and a part number, I am looking forward to this.

Ken