clean evaporator

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clean evaporator

Postby 241steve on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 6:22 +0000

its hot I'm weak the aircon isn't cold enough how do I go about cleaning the evaporator coil I've had the fan out before cleaned as much of the cabin filter ducting as I can get my hands in. id like to spray some water thru the evaporator and clean it before trying to add some gas to the system. The last time i had the fan out i don't remember seeing the evap coil.
I'll have a go tomorrow. Any tips is it even possible what I want to do ?
Or does the system need to be pumped down evaporator removed to get cleaned?
In which case it doesn't get that hot that often so It may never happen.
2007 hilux dualcab if it matters
241steve
 
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Re: clean evaporator

Postby Gipsy on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 6:43 +0000

First, check the condenser in front of the radiator is getting hot... It should be very hot when the aircon is running. If it's not, then you probably need gas. The evaporator being dirty should not stop the AC from functioning, just reduce its efficiency. It's a simple matter of getting the system checked, tested and re-gassed and shouldn't cost more than $100 or so. Then it's a matter of cleaning the evaporator and the AC specialist can either do it for you, or tell you how to. Mostly the evaporator can be cleaned by applying a special cleaning fluid. Make sure your air conditioning filter is clean/new because that's the most likely cause of poor cold air volume after the low gas problem. Good luck, and apart from a few simple checks, AC is not really a DIY job because you do need specialised equipment and knowledge.
Cheers Gipsy :D although I'm sure somebody will challenge that :lol: even Einstein wasn't certain of his theories.
My 2013 auto D4D DC SR5, prefilter, 3" exhaust and Chip with egt probe, stock SR5 rims with Toyo Open Country AT2 265/65R/17's
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Re: clean evaporator

Postby 241steve on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 6:59 +0000

i have gauges vac pumps as its not a wall hung slip system I'm not sure weather Ill buy into topping up the gas ill read the book a bit more and probably will.
where if possible can I get at the coil to spray coil cleaner thru it was what I was asking can I take a bit more of the box apart under the dash and try clean it I know its going to be filthy.
241steve
 
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:32 +0000
Location: morwell victoria

Re: clean evaporator

Postby Gipsy on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 7:05 +0000

Taking it all apart is a big job and useless if the problem is simply low gas. If you have the gear and know what you are doing I'm a bit surprised you are asking advice... A small bottle of gas is cheap to buy. But as I said, AC is a specialised trade and as specialists, they should know what they're doing. ;) If you have to read the book then it's a valid assumption that you don't know what you're doing!
Cheers Gipsy :D although I'm sure somebody will challenge that :lol: even Einstein wasn't certain of his theories.
My 2013 auto D4D DC SR5, prefilter, 3" exhaust and Chip with egt probe, stock SR5 rims with Toyo Open Country AT2 265/65R/17's
Gipsy
 
Posts: 2135
Joined: Tue, 07 May 2013 2:00 +0000
Location: South Coast NSW and all over Oz

Re: clean evaporator

Postby 241steve on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 7:45 +0000

lets say putting the head under the dash is a challenge I was hoping id be able to get at the coil with out opening the system im not that motivated. A bit different to a split system in a house weather i have fitting for the car i haven't looked at . ive drilled holes in commodore evaporator boxes and cleaned their coils before was wondering if cleaning a hilux evaporator in place was possible agree pulling it out to clean it properly isn't going to happen.
I wouldn't be surprised if at some stage in its life my ute has been under water or half full.
241steve
 
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:32 +0000
Location: morwell victoria

Re: clean evaporator

Postby Gipsy on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 8:23 +0000

From what I understand the fittings for the AC manifold testing gear are the same for domestic and vehicle AC. When the AC is running do you get any water draining from the evaporator drain? If so at least the drain isn't blocked. Check the condenser for getting hot, if it is then it's got some gas but not necessarily sufficient. Take the cabin filter out and see if that helps, if it does you need a new filter. Cleaning the evaporator is the last thing on the list.
Cheers Gipsy :D although I'm sure somebody will challenge that :lol: even Einstein wasn't certain of his theories.
My 2013 auto D4D DC SR5, prefilter, 3" exhaust and Chip with egt probe, stock SR5 rims with Toyo Open Country AT2 265/65R/17's
Gipsy
 
Posts: 2135
Joined: Tue, 07 May 2013 2:00 +0000
Location: South Coast NSW and all over Oz

Re: clean evaporator

Postby 241steve on Sun, 02 Jan 2022 4:29 +0000

I decided to wash the ute today mud on the condenser must of been the cause when I went to the bottle shop afterwards the air coming out of the ducts was 3 degrees. I had been out in the dirt a few times recently but didn't think it was that dirty i gave it a quick wash a couple of weeks ago missed the condenser obversely.
241steve
 
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu, 03 Dec 2020 11:32 +0000
Location: morwell victoria

Re: clean evaporator

Postby Gipsy on Mon, 03 Jan 2022 5:42 +0000

Hope that's fixed it Steve, you never want to do more than you need to fix a problem... If it ain't broke... Don't fix it.
Most folks forget/ignore the condenser when washing the car. It's tucked in so nobody notices, and the radiator is probably packed too. So many 'problems' turn out to be a simple fix. ;) All the bugs and grass etc cause lots of problems that a simple cleanout saves many $$$'s. :D
Cheers Gipsy :D although I'm sure somebody will challenge that :lol: even Einstein wasn't certain of his theories.
My 2013 auto D4D DC SR5, prefilter, 3" exhaust and Chip with egt probe, stock SR5 rims with Toyo Open Country AT2 265/65R/17's
Gipsy
 
Posts: 2135
Joined: Tue, 07 May 2013 2:00 +0000
Location: South Coast NSW and all over Oz


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