8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHA/C leak - Evaporator or is it?
Leading reported evidence
Use other projects as well
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I broke it into 3 separate documents so it can be used for other projects as well.
Leading evidence: 'Use other projects as well' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'evaporator' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace center portion' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
If the dye shows in the puddle from the AC drain then it’s most likely the evaporator.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
You can just replace the colored outer housing and do not have to change the center portion with all the pins.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
You can just replace the colored outer housing and do not have to change the center portion with all the pins.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T122219Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Last summer, the A/C in my 996.1 started to slowly die and not cool anymore. I re-gassed it a little (with some refringent with dye) and tried to trace if there was any leaks. Nothing at first and it stayed cool for 2-3 weeks before going warm again.
I got out the UV flashlight and tried to trace the leak, where I found some dye coming from the A/C drain (the condensation drain, behind the right front wheel). Google searches tells me its the evaporator core (inside the dash) that's failed and is leaking and thus the gas (and dye) is escaping inside there.
Before I go ahead and rip out the dash (I'm dreading this job) and get into the evaporator unit, is there anything else i should look at and consider?
If the dye shows in the puddle from the AC drain then it’s most likely the evaporator.
i had the same issue with my Boxster.
I document the process and created a PDF for step by step.
I’ll upload the links shortly. Maybe it can help.
I broke it into 3 separate documents so it can be used for other projects as well.
you can download it from my google drive.
Step 1- Heater cor removal.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jr2...usp=share_link
Step 2- Dashboard removal.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11ZZ...usp=share_link
Step 3- Evaporator replacement.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12si...usp=share_link
Dash removal and replacement is time consuming but not terribly difficult. The most challenging thing for me was reinstalling the screws at the front center of the dash. Be very careful with the plugs for the instrument cluster. They are probably very brittle and the lock tabs break easily. if they do break, you can order new ones from VW. I had to do this in Feb and a set was approximately $50 plus shipping. You can just replace the colored outer housing and do not have to change the center portion with all the pins.
I got a used OEM with low mileage off eBay.
the main reason was that I needed to complete the project over the weekend, and didn't want to take the chance of dealing with fitment issues.
today I would probably go with the
GRIFFITHS brand.
I did this job last winter as well. Same symptoms. Found a evap core from a local racer that had several parts donors.
When you pull the dash, label everything. Baggies and post-its are your friend. Buy the O-ring kit. Mark your steering wheel alignment. It's a perfect opportunity to clean up the old foam from the mixing flaps in the HVAC box! Can confirm, gauge cluster harness plugs are made of egg shell plastic.
Other things to consider while you're in there => short throw shifter, lower console delete, accent lighting, any pedal box work (clutch assist spring, sprint booster, etc.), and now is the time to hard wire any power accessories (radar, dash cam, phone, garage door opener, etc.)
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
