Pontiac Repair: Buick Rendezvous A/C Evaporator, B body SUV A/C

Question
A/C has no charge.  Local dealer says we have a bad evaporator.  They will replace it for $1000 that I don't have.  I can't see how to get at it.  the Chilton's manual on this car is worthless.  Can you give any tips on how to get at the Evaporator?

Answer
Hi Scott:
In order to gain access to the evaporator the heaterbox has to be removed from the vehicle. In order to get the heater box out the COMPLETE dash board carrier and support beam behind the dash board has to removed to get the heater box out. This is a BIG job and it's not really a job for the do it your selfer unless you are extremly ambitious and have some mechanical aptitude.. Ther reall is not real tips for the job just keep taking stuff apart untill you get to the heater box. This is a job thatwill take you all day and then some. It's not really a fun job I only did one in a Aztek and it was no fun. And to tell you the truth the one I did was a first year one like a 2001 and the windshiled had to be removed because the bolts for the dash carrier were to long anf hit the glass taking them out.. The newer model ones that used shorter bolts so the glass doesn't need to be removed.. One big tip for you is this If the a/c is not working MAKE SURE it's the evap core leaking and nothin else. You'll be really upset if you do this job and it's not what's leaking! If you live in the rust belt like I do the condensers rot out on these more than any other part going bad. They rot out on the right side of the vehicle on the very bottom THIS IS VERRRY VERRY common more so then an evap core.