AirCon Evaporator Clean

[gun_200]

Ok so my aircon was smelling a bit and I could not workout why, it didnt matter if it was on recirc or fresh it would still smell for the first 30sec then disappear. I figured its got to be a dirty filter id i word searched "cabin filter" on here to find the aircon mod thread.

Hoping that all I had to do is change the filter I poped the glove box off only to find the blank panel and non existent filter.

Thinking what the heck could be smelling, my mind turned to the evaporator thinking there has got to be crap caught in the fins because of the lack of the filter which then lead to how the heck am i going to clean the evaporator.

Google being my friend, I found a thread on Toyotanation of the very same issue, 12 pages quickly turned into shit.... with no definitive solution...

From what i can make of it the smell is caused by bacteria/mold growing in the system and particularly on the evaporator core.. given there is no filter there would be a great deal of dust in there also..

So i need a product that is going to break down dust and mold to spray into the system, and then I'd like to flush it out which shouldn't be a problem given the condensate drain.

Question is, Has anyone been through this already, if not does anyone know of a product to do the above?

This is the product suggested on toyotanation, but i don't think its available in oz


http://www.ac-evaporator-cleaner.com/fr ... -ackit.htm

Marco...

[gun_200]

Found one but not keen really WA company

http://www.fortrongroup.com.au/pages/fa ... sol%29.pdf

[Alby]

Hi Marco
i was getting that same smell that you were referring to after we had done a big dusty trip. Like yours lasted for the first 30 seconds or so. I removed and washed the filter behind the glovebox and all is good now.

Are you saying that there is no filter in yours?

[Steve9R]

yeah my 06 model had no filter either, but i ended up buying one and the plastic cover through brendon.. umm do a search on 'denso' cause they were denso part numbers.. you'll find it..

Cheers
Steve

[Steve9R]

found it for you..

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=907&start=0

[gun_200]

yeah no filter.. I will be putting one in but i need to clean the evaporator first..

[KUN26]

yeah no filter.. I will be putting one in but i need to clean the evaporator first..

I’m pretty sure the filter you’re referring to behind the glove box is simply just a pollen filter.
I agree that the smell will be due to mould and bacteria etc between the fins of the core.

[Chancha_Blanca]

The odour you smell is that of dead leaves and dust/mud that gets at the bottom of the evaporator box (bacteria/mould).
Unless you can recover the AC gas (R-134a) and pull out the evaporator box and evaporator itself, you will still get that smell.
There are two solutions I perform (besides recovering the gas that would be 3).
1- Locating the evap drain hose (at the feet of the passenger) unclip the hose and make sure it’s not blocked. Then very carefully with a soft plastic rod (5cm) insert up the evaporator box drainage hole, to ensure drainage hose hole is not blocked. Replace hose making sure it will drain outside the cabin and not inside of it! Also making sure you do not pierce the evaporator.

2- Having the fan on 4 and the recycle switch to take air from outside (if possible and better remove air filter first) spray Glenn 40 or any other spray that "kills" bacteria/mould via the outside air intakes under the wiper blades. PS Motor or AC does not to be running. Spray for aprox 5mins then replace air filter if removed.

That should fix your odour problem.
Like I tell all my customers "ALWAYS" use the recycle in cabin (so you don’t get hot, dusty, exhaust smoke, air from outside) when using your AC.
The only time I use air intake is in winter with my AC to defog the windscreen.

Hope it helps,
Marcelo.

[Flasher]

its not the best but i have removed the fan box from behine the glove box and washed out the evap with a garden hose . the evap lays flat but you can get your hand & hose in there with the fan box removed . a tip pull the carpet up to the passenger seat & pull out the floor drain plugs to let the water flow out the plugs & leave the car in the sun for a few hours before you put it back together

[thermos]

its not the best but i have removed the fan box from behine the glove box and washed out the evap with a garden hose . the evap lays flat but you can get your hand & hose in there with the fan box removed . a tip pull the carpet up to the passenger seat & pull out the floor drain plugs to let the water flow out the plugs & leave the car in the sun for a few hours before you put it back together

Sorry to dig up an old thread,

After the AC is on, I am getting condensation from the evaporator which is dripping on to the vinyl. If I put my hand there I can feel the damp on the fins, I don't presume that is normal.

The drain hose is clear and outside the car, and I have tried blowing into the tube.

As the car is full of red dust, possibly the evaporator is blocked. Is it possible to remove the fan box without removing all the dash etc and clean the evaporator with a hose?

Thanks Jezza

[martynvella]

if the condensation is on the outside of the evap box then it isn't a problem with your ac system or drain plumbing. Not a great deal you can do about it other than turn off the ac.

Any cold surface will get condensation in a humid climate. My guess is they all do it just that with carpet you wouldn't notice it.

[thermos]

Thank you for the reply martynvella. I think the evap box may be a bit clogged up as the airflow is not that great. I am wondering if it can be cleaned without taking the whole dash apart.

[martynvella]

Use this as a guide, you may be able to get in there somehow and clean it out a bit but it will show you the layout, remember you need a license to disturb the gas plumbing.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=22798&p=343835&hilit=evaporator+core+removal#p343835

Have you removed the filter behind the glove box? if removing it gets the airflow back then replace it. They are cheap.

[thermos]

Took a picture of the evaporator box, it seems a bit damp. Not sure though as I have no idea what is normal.

[martynvella]

That is not the evaporator but the box it lives in. If the condensation is forming on the outside of that insulating it would be better than cleaning it.

[thermos]

It looks like the evaporator box is leaking. I have tried applying silicon but it still is dripping. Any hints?

[cmilton54]

Have you made sure your drain hose is not blocked.
If drain hose is blocked, will fill and overflow inside of vehicle.
Cheers
Charlie

[thermos]

Took drain hose out and it is clear. Ended up running a hose via floor vent to clean the evaporator it seems to work better/cooler.

With the small drip I put some more silicon. I also made a small drain pan and hose and vented it out the car.

[forster]

do you have to remove the dash to remove the fan box

[forster]

do you have to remove the dash to remove the fan box

Provided the fan was turned off and the drain port/hose is clean. Does anyone think it would it be possible to clean the evaporator by removing the panel with the outside intake vent in and spraying a degreaser or brakeclean on the evaporator and rinsing with water?