[dbbyleo]

webbch... sounds like you really know what you're doing. I've definitely now got some knowledge before I take my car to any shop next time for AC service.

Are you saying that if the shop only looked for dye residue, then they could missing very small leaks?? My AC did run for at least 4 weeks before getting hot again. Would that suggest I have a small leak?

I'll definitely ask them about their standard procedure to AC leak detection. It seems like with a "sniffer", there should be no excuse for saying, it "may be" the evaporator. So sounds like they probably just went by dye residue.

What do you think about my ice cold leaky water in the passenger side? Is that a problem with my evaporator or may just clogged drain lines?

Anyway ... if the problem is the evaporator and I try to fix it myself, I was just planning on replacing the evaporator and taking the car to a shop to do all the charging of refrigerant.

But let me ask you this. What is generally the steps to take before service an AC ... or in this replacing the evaportor? I mean ... what steps would you take ... including any evac/vaccuum/flushing/etc related stuff ... before and/or after you remove/re-install evaporator? Also, would there be other parts you'd replace while you got the car/dash torn apart (like I read that the expansion valve is usually with the evaporator)?