Evaporator Core: Description and Operation

NOTE: Installation of a new suction accumulator is not necessary when repairing the air conditioning system except when there is physical evidence of system contamination from a failed A/C component or damage to the suction accumulator.

The A/C evaporator housing contains the A/C evaporator core. The A/C evaporator core is the plate/fin type with a unique refrigerant flow path.
^ A mixture of refrigerant and oil enters the bottom of the A/C evaporator core through the A/C evaporator core inlet tube and is routed so it flows through the partitioned first four plate/fin sections.
^ The next four plate/fin sections are partitioned to force the refrigerant to flow toward the other end of the A/C evaporator core.
^ The next five plate/fin sections are partitioned to force the refrigerant to flow toward the bottom of the A/C evaporator core.
^ Refrigerant then continues through to the remaining five plate/fin sections and then moves out of the A/C evaporator core through the A/C evaporator core outlet tube.
^ This W-pass flow pattern transfers the flow of refrigerant and oil through the A/C evaporator core.