Evaporator shroud

On my 95 Blazer, the plastic shroud covering the AC evaporator and blower motor is very brittle and crumbling to pieces. Do they all get that way with age or do you think at one time the engine got so hot in there that it ruined the cover.
Before it breaks all apart, is it needed to keep the hot air out or just for sound insulation?
Thanks, LS

On my 95 Blazer, the plastic shroud covering the AC evaporator and blower motor is very brittle and crumbling to pieces. Do they all get that way with age or do you think at one time the engine got so hot in there that it ruined the cover.
Before it breaks all apart, is it needed to keep the hot air out or just for sound insulation?
Thanks, LS

You don't mention where you live, But I live just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Where the summertime operating temps have to be close to the hottest in the U.S. if not the world. I've never seen one crumble and fall apart due to normal heat and normal driving. Makes me wonder whether there was a fire under your hood at some time. You need this shroud to properly route the air through the evaporator and into the duct work inside the cab. If it is missing, you'll probably mix the hot air from the engine compartment with the cool air from the evap. It needs to be replaced. Try a wrecking yard before going to the dealership.

I believe what you are talking about is the second layer they put on some years for insulation. Yea I have seen it get very brittle like that too.

You don't mention where you live, But I live just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Where the summertime operating temps have to be close to the hottest in the U.S. if not the world. I've never seen one crumble and fall apart due to normal heat and normal driving. Makes me wonder whether there was a fire under your hood at some time. You need this shroud to properly route the air through the evaporator and into the duct work inside the cab. If it is missing, you'll probably mix the hot air from the engine compartment with the cool air from the evap. It needs to be replaced. Try a wrecking yard before going to the dealership.

I think you are referring to the little shroud wrapped right around the evaporator itself. The shroud I am referring to covers the whole setup, blower motor, evap. and extends from the side of the engine over to the fender.

I believe what you are talking about is the second layer they put on some years for insulation. Yea I have seen it get very brittle like that too.
I went to the dealer for info and he wasn't sure what it was for but stated that they have seen many older ones crumble with age.
Do you think it will affect the cold air temp if I don't replace it? They told me that I have a cabin air filter in there also. Guess it would be a good time to do the whole thing, you think??

Mine's crumbling too. I'm going to replace it when I do my evaporator core. Is it needed or not? My feeling is that if GM could save a penny, they would.

Mine's crumbling too. I'm going to replace it when I do my evaporator core. Is it needed or not? My feeling is that if GM could save a penny, they would.

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Agreed!

Mine is brittle too.

No worries.