Best tape to seal holes in evap box?

[jawn101]

So I've got the common woe of air coming out of the back of my evaporator box. I hadn't noticed it before, but yesterday I was doing yard work and had to move the D... and was wearing my crocs at the time. Wow... there's more A/C behind the console than in front of it.

When I last had the center stack out for some stereo work, I taped up the notorious hole in the box with some duct tape. It has clearly not held. Short of pulling the box out, which there's no other need for in my car - what's the best way to seal it? I was thinking of that metal tape but don't really know what the adhesive properties are like on that. Clearly whatever I use must be able to withstand pretty high heat. Any tips?

[MML]

... and was wearing my crocs at the time.

Someone arrest that man for crimes against fashion!!! :tongue_stick:

[jawn101]

Someone arrest that man for crimes against fashion!!! :tongue_stick:

LOL!! That's why I included the part about doing yard work... Crocs are the universal sign of a man who's given up... but they are great for mowing the lawn and crap. And apparently for detecting airflow leaks! :)

[David T]

LOL!! That's why I included the part about doing yard work... Crocs are the universal sign of a man who's given up... but they are great for mowing the lawn and crap. And apparently for detecting airflow leaks! :)

Make sure the boot seal going to the center console vents is installed properly. If it is not you get all of that A/C in the dash. If you have any holes or other leakage the metal tape works well and doesn't deteriorate. It is basically thick tinfoil with an adhesive backing.

[Flicky]

This stuff is violently sticky and strong once in place. I'm guessing that the rubbery square hose things on the top dash vents got hard and don't seal up good anymore.

http://www.amazon.com/Tyvek-Sheathing-Tape-165/dp/B000OZX35K/

[jawn101]

Yes, the boot is fine. It's clearly the hole in the back of the box as I mentioned.

That Tyvek tape sounds very promising. Have you worked with it before? How tacky is it fresh off the roll? I ask because it's tough to maneuver back there and I don't want it getting stuck all over all the wiring etc as I try to get it in position :)

[Flicky]

I use that tape for everything from packing a box to repairing broken flat plastic things. It isn't wet sticky, but if it is pressed on something then it is hard to move, and once it drys (30 min) the glue becomes permanent. Once dry it is water-proof.

3M's Scotch 425 aluminum tape, as mentioned by others, is a good strong and sticky tape too. It is just aluminum, not that foam aluminum stuff for pipes. Note that the aluminum will get cold and may create condensation that could be a problem.

This is what it looks like...not sure why it saying over $1000 for 60 yards of it :smile: you can get it at a hardware store for $15.
http://www.shop3m.com/3m-aluminum-foil-tape-425-silver-group.html

[jawn101]

Too cool! So the Tyvek sounds like the better option then. I will give that a try, will I find that at Lowes' or Ace or should I just grab it right from Amazon?

[Flash66]

Just get some metal tape from lowes and you're good to go. Once it's stuck to plastic, it's stuck! Just don't get the least expensive roll they carry.

[Dangermouse]

That is, literally, duct tape, used for domestic AC duct installation and repair.