Subaru Outback (BR): Evaporator

A: REMOVAL

1) Disconnect the ground cable from battery.

2) Using the refrigerant recovery system, discharge refrigerant. <Ref. to AC-24, PROCEDURE, Refrigerant Recovery Procedure.>

3) Drain the coolant from the radiator.

• H4 non-turbo model: <Ref. to CO(H4SO)-14, DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>
• H4 turbo model: <Ref. to CO(H4DOTC)-14, DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>
• H6 model: <Ref. to CO(H6DO)-12, DRAINING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>

4) Remove the connector and bolts, and remove the high-pressure hose and AC pipe from the expansion valve.

5) Loosen the heater hose clamps and remove the hoses.

6) Remove the instrument panel assembly. <Ref. to EI-76, REMOVAL, Instrument Panel Assembly.>

7) Remove the engine control module (ECM).

1. Release the lock and remove the relay holder.
2. Remove the nuts, and remove the engine control module (ECM).

8) Remove the heater and cooling unit.

1. Remove the bolt and remove the heater and cooling unit.

9) Remove the blower motor unit assembly.

1. Release the claws and remove the bolts.

2. Remove the blower motor unit assembly as shown in the figure.

10) Disconnect the claws and then remove the aspirator hose.

11) Remove the screw, and then remove the foot duct (RH).

12) Remove the screws and remove the foot duct (LH).

13) Pull out the heater core.

1. Remove the screw and remove the heater pipe clamp.

2. Pull out the heater core from the heater and cooling unit assembly.

14) Remove the heater case lower.

1. Remove the clip, and remove the evaporator connector.
2. Remove the gasket.
3. Remove the screw and lock, then remove the heater case lower.

15) Remove the evaporator.

16) Remove the bolt and detach the expansion valve from the evaporator. <Ref. to AC-74, REMOVAL, Expansion Valve.>

17) Remove the evaporator sensor from the evaporator.

B: INSTALLATION

CAUTION:

• Do not start the engine before charging refrigerant.
• If the engine is started with no refrigerant charge, replace the compressor.
• If the evaporator has been replaced, add an appropriate amount of compressor oil to the evaporator.

  <Ref. to AC-31, REPLACEMENT, Compressor Oil.>

• When the evaporator has been replaced, always replace the expansion valve gasket with a new one and apply the compressor oil on it.
• Make sure that the water seal gasket on the cover attachment area is securely attached.
• Replace the O-rings with new parts, and then apply compressor oil.
• Install the evaporator sensor at the position shown in the figure below.

1) Install the evaporator sensor to the specified location. <Ref. to AC-87, INSTALLATION, Evaporator Sensor.>

2) Install each part in the reverse order of removal.

NOTE: Refer to "INSTALLATION" of "Instrument Panel Assembly". <Ref. to EI-95, INSTALLATION, Instrument Panel Assembly.>

3) Fill engine coolant.

• H4 non-turbo model: <Ref. to CO(H4SO)-14, FILLING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>
• H4 turbo model: <Ref. to CO(H4DOTC)-14, FILLING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>
• H6 model: <Ref. to CO(H6DO)-12, FILLING OF ENGINE COOLANT, REPLACEMENT, Engine Coolant.>

4) Charge refrigerant. <Ref. to AC-25, PROCEDURE, Refrigerant Charging Procedure.>

Tightening torque:
Heater cooling unit: <Ref. to AC-6, HEATER COOLING UNIT, COMPONENT, General Description.>
Blower motor unit: <Ref. to AC-8, BLOWER MOTOR UNIT, COMPONENT, General Description.>

C: INSPECTION

1) Check the evaporator fin for dust. Blow with compressed air or flush fins with water as needed.

2) If any oil leak is found from the evaporator, replace the evaporator.

READ NEXT: