Just a couple of wraps of masking tape. It is hidden behind the door and doesn't show.
A/C Evaporator cleaner
- Thread starter spressomon
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I just did the foaming cleaner on my truck yesterday. My a/c isn't working yet because i need to replace the rear line, but I'm working on eliminating all the mouse smells. It appears the frigiclean is not readily available anymore so I bought the cheapest cleaner with a hose off amazon (6oz for $11). it worked well but was way too small, so I used a couple 20oz cans from Lowes for $6 a pop. The only differences I found were 1. no hose attachment 2. no perfume.
I popped the hose from the other can on, sprayed it down and got lots of gross liquid out. So far it looks cleaner and smells way better. I'll probably end up doing it every couple months until it really runs clean. Thanks for the ideas and pictures, they make working on this thing a breeze!
I popped the hose from the other can on, sprayed it down and got lots of gross liquid out. So far it looks cleaner and smells way better. I'll probably end up doing it every couple months until it really runs clean. Thanks for the ideas and pictures, they make working on this thing a breeze!
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I tried to clean mine out today by putting the hose up the drain plug but when I took the filters and glovebox out, I could see that the foam wasn't reaching the evaporator... Or what I think is the evaporator (the coils to the left of the filters)... Am i not just able to spray the can right into where the filters are??
Yup those were the cans. Worked great!
Rolocado-- I had a rough time feeding the hose up the drain, I tried snaking it with wire etc, but with no success. I also tried drilling a small hole in the filter cover as discussed earlier in this thread, but it was only meh. I just opened the cover and sprayed everywhere I could see. Then did it again, and again, and again. Just make sure to cover your carpet with some plastic/rags as it can leak out and soak your carpet.
My carpet didn't even get soaked and I probably filled the opening up 5 different times. Everyone should save their time and money and just get a big can of AC cleaner from home depot. Mine is even scented and you get loads for for wayyyy cheaper and it's the exact same stuff. The crap coming out of the drain is nasty looking. Hope it makes the air cooler!
1. Nu-Calgon 4291-08 Nu-Brite
2. Smith 190285 1-Gallon Bleach and Chemical Sprayer for Lawns and Gardens or Cleaning Decks, Siding, and Concrete
all you ever need for your cars, window and outside AC units. Dilute the cleaning agent 1:8 to 1:4, spray from the bottom to top, rinse gently
2. Smith 190285 1-Gallon Bleach and Chemical Sprayer for Lawns and Gardens or Cleaning Decks, Siding, and Concrete
all you ever need for your cars, window and outside AC units. Dilute the cleaning agent 1:8 to 1:4, spray from the bottom to top, rinse gently
Got a little discouraged after having my online orders for the Toyota kit cancelled by two different parts websites. I went with a Subaru kit that looks to be very similar and costs $15. Hopefully it has all the caustic and carcinogenic properties of the original formula 
Subaru Outback Climate Control Cleaning Kit. 1 Kit. Odors, Evaporator, Case - SOA868V9315 | Subaru Parts Superstore, Jacksonville FL
Subaru Outback Climate Control Cleaning Kit. 1 Kit. Odors, Evaporator, Case - SOA868V9315 | Subaru Parts Superstore, Jacksonville FL
Follow up and tips for $100 HVAC upgrade and cleaning for rigs without the filter door.
- Remove and replace the cover with part nos. 88891-60040 and 88891-60060.
- Remove cowl and clean out all the debris underneath. Order new clips for cowl
90467-08108 x10 - Source some cabin filters off Amazon.
- Order a Subaru Evap Foam Kit https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Subaru-SOA868V9315-Cleaning-Kit/dp/B00TSGYKIU
- In addition to or in place of the auto-specific foam kit -- AC coil cleaner at HD www.homedepot.com/p/Web-19-oz-Condenser-Coil-Cleaner-WCOIL19/301847065
- Buy this $5 brush kit at Harbor Freight
- Remove the blower assembly, hit the hamster wheel with Simple Green and your brushes. Blow out with compressed air.
- With the blower removed use your vacuum and your brushes to clean out all the debris. You can get at a lot of the deeper recesses if you put your hand through the blower assembly channel.
- Apply AC foam cleaner with cover off using the brushes to loosen the chunks of grime and paper towels to sweep out.
- Install new cover and filter door.
- Install blower assembly.
- Use the foam can as directed from the evaporator drain.
- Use air intake freshener as directed.
- Reinstall cowl.
- Install filters.
- Enjoy your clean HVAC.
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Did it make the AC cooler?
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I can't seem to figure this one out. Unfortunately my 05 100 doesn't have cabin filters. It doesn't look too difficult to install them, but I am really not going to have time to do that sort of project anytime soon. Does anyone know if I can still use the cleaner set to blast away my evaporator without adding them? I just want the under box leak to stop.
The cleaner should work fine without filters in. (You'd pull them out before blasting anyway)
If you are getting leaks from the evaporator housing it means the drain is plugged, not necessarily that the fins are dirty. Find the drain underneath and try snaking it with some weedwacker line.
You might as well order a set of filters. If you go through the trouble of cleaning, then installing filters is simply a matter of pushing them in before putting the cover back on the housing.
Good luck!
Itsthecapsyear, I went through the same thing when I first got my LC. In my experience, the a/c evaporator cleaner will be of little value to you at this point. The leak from under the a/c evaporator box is being caused by an old and shrunken rubber/foam gasket/seal. If you want that little drip of water to stop leaking down, you will have to remove the face plate from the a/c evaporator box. It's a little tricky but it can be accessed and removed by taking out the glove box. The tricky part is working around the confined space and plastic dash pieces to remove all the screws from the face plate, and then working the face plate off. This can be frustrating but it can be done w/out removing or cutting into any of the dash.
You can then replace the rubber/foam seal that fits at the bottom of the face plate with a factory one, or do as I did and use black silicone adhesive sealant that you can get from any auto parts store. While you have that face plate off, you can clean all the gunk that collects at the bottom of the evaporator box. This is where the a/c evaporator cleaner and brush kit from Harbor Freight will help you.
After several failed attempts at cleaning my a/c evaporator without removing the faceplate from the evaporator box, I finally relented. The amount of crap that I found in there, moldy leaves, twigs, pet hair, etc. could never have been cleaned without taking off that box. Since you don't have the air filters, you a/c evaporator box is likely in the same shape mine was in. If you do it right, you can replace the face plate with a new one from Toyota that has the filter cut out and door, or do the face plate mod and cut out appropriate area on your existing face plate and fit it with a new filter door.
A little tip- You will have to bend some of the plastic dash panel back to access some of the face plate screws and you will likely strip some of the screw heads while removing them due to the tricky angles. I replaced some of those screws with hex-head screws, as some of the face plate screws are easier to remove w/ a phillips screw driver, and some are easier to remove with a ratchet.
Good Luck.
