Up until about 2010, my truck had functioning AC, but would routinely run low of refrigerant and need recharging every 3 or 4 months. The family friend mechanic said there was probably a leak in the evaporator core. Up until that time, it was my dad's daily driver. He finally upgraded to a 2010 F-150, and I inherited the '78. It became an occasional work truck, and it just eventually removed the compressor belt about 5 years ago because it wasn't working, the ducts were rotten, and I didn't want to bother.

I'm now starting to go through the truck and trying to breathe some life back into it. I planned on removing the entire evaporator hosing the clean and inspect everything, but I was wondering if I should have the system checked for leaks before taking everything apart. Of course, the evap core is the only component that isn't visible, and it may be perfect. It's the most expensive part, and I want to be sure it's bad before I get a new one.

Can anyone recommend how to go about this? It's worth noting that a new Sanden compressor was installed about 2009.

 

IMHO...two different approaches to use...

1. Rebuild/replace the entire system

2. Shoot some dye into it and see what ya got. (IMHO- but given the age of the system, assuming it's probably been years since it was overhauled, it's probably due and once you start changing the 1st part, you'll be chasing parts for the next while)