Hi all. The A/C in my '08 LC smells like wet dog for a minute or two after startup. Internet research has led me to believe my evaporator is moldy or mildewed. As well as a Genuine Toyota Evap cleaning kit there are after market versions that look pretty easy to use. That said, you need access to the to the A/c drain to flood the evaporator with the cleaning foam. I can't seem to find any literature on where my A/C evaporator drain is. Anyone with a 200 Series LC out there have any insight? Thanks!
A/C Evaporator Cleaning for smelly A/C
- Thread starter nagnini
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
FWIW- I have always made a habit of shutting off the AC and letting the fan run for at least the last minute or two before shutting the car down. Apparently this is supposed to help alleviate the musty odor by drying out any condensation inside the system that otherwise would get mildewy (sp?).
I'm sorry I couldnt be more help
As far as I can tell there are actually three drains. One in the front, one under the cooler box, and one under the rear A/C unit.
The front two drip directly out of the body on to the transmission / transfer case area. The rear drips out behind the rear left tire housing.
Not sure how easily accessible the front one will be. Might be easier to go through the blower box. If you can see the evaporator from the blower box and have a straight path you should be able to direct the cleaning foam where you want it.
You'd have to drop the blower motor to access the duct.
I'd still run the AC and figure out where the drips land so you can place a drip pan to catch the foam as it drains out.
Below are some pics showing rough locations.
View attachment 1495893
View attachment 1495894
View attachment 1495895
View attachment 1495896
The front two drip directly out of the body on to the transmission / transfer case area. The rear drips out behind the rear left tire housing.
Not sure how easily accessible the front one will be. Might be easier to go through the blower box. If you can see the evaporator from the blower box and have a straight path you should be able to direct the cleaning foam where you want it.
You'd have to drop the blower motor to access the duct.
I'd still run the AC and figure out where the drips land so you can place a drip pan to catch the foam as it drains out.
Below are some pics showing rough locations.
View attachment 1495893
View attachment 1495894
View attachment 1495895
View attachment 1495896
Last edited:
I have used BG Frigi-Clean in several older vehicles, including my LX450, with great results. It is applied as an expanding foam through a small hole you must drill into the HVAC airbox somewhere between the blower and the coils. I don't know how hard it would be on a 200 to locate a proper spot. The Tundra forums might have an answer to this., assuming the units are similar.
Found this, I am not a member so I can't see any of the pics.
Where can I access the A/C Evaporator coil or blower? - TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum
You drill a hole, screw in a threaded service fitting, hook on the supplied hose and inject the full can with the blower running on High. Turn off blower. Remove hose and cap the port. Wait 15 minutes, all the crud drips out the bottom onto the floor of your clean garage. Run the fan for a few minutes to dry/ flush the residual fluid. Better do it outside on the street....
On one vehicle I removed the fitting afterwards, and stuck a hand spray bottle into the opening and misted a bunch of distilled water into the housing with the fan running, it seemed to get a little more crud out, but it is pretty awkward and probably not necessary. It would be really easy to adapt and permanently install a cooling mister nozzle for this, and hook it up to a pressurized water source. Run a quart or two of distilled water through the syetem annually and it might keep the coils flushed out. I will mention the obvious here, you must keep the flow rate VERY low or you will overwhelm the drain's ability to scavenge the fluid. If it backs up you will get wet carpets.
BG Frigi-Clean® | BG Products, Inc.
Search for the best price, the stuff is discounted heavily.
I have to ask why this happens when the system has a very effective filter at the inlet end. Was it missing?
John Davies
Spokane WA
Found this, I am not a member so I can't see any of the pics.
Where can I access the A/C Evaporator coil or blower? - TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum
You drill a hole, screw in a threaded service fitting, hook on the supplied hose and inject the full can with the blower running on High. Turn off blower. Remove hose and cap the port. Wait 15 minutes, all the crud drips out the bottom onto the floor of your clean garage. Run the fan for a few minutes to dry/ flush the residual fluid. Better do it outside on the street....
On one vehicle I removed the fitting afterwards, and stuck a hand spray bottle into the opening and misted a bunch of distilled water into the housing with the fan running, it seemed to get a little more crud out, but it is pretty awkward and probably not necessary. It would be really easy to adapt and permanently install a cooling mister nozzle for this, and hook it up to a pressurized water source. Run a quart or two of distilled water through the syetem annually and it might keep the coils flushed out. I will mention the obvious here, you must keep the flow rate VERY low or you will overwhelm the drain's ability to scavenge the fluid. If it backs up you will get wet carpets.
BG Frigi-Clean® | BG Products, Inc.
Search for the best price, the stuff is discounted heavily.
I have to ask why this happens when the system has a very effective filter at the inlet end. Was it missing?
John Davies
Spokane WA
Last edited:
When you used this in the past- with the blower on and the ducts open... Did anything leak out of the floor vents?
Also what did you use to cap the hole after being drilled?
Also what did you use to cap the hole after being drilled?
I never had any leakage but it is smart to put towels down, just in case.
The Frigi-Clean kit comes with the service fitting and a cap, very similar to a tire stem cap. You could thread a screw into a hole if you didn't have the BG part, the threads would cut thrmselves in the plastic. It isn't critical that it is leak proof, you could leave it open if you had to, or put some tape across it. It's just very low pressure air behind the surface.
Here are the instructions - the hardest part is locating a spot to drill.
https://www.bgprod.com/bg-master/uploads/709-Frigi-Clean-instructions-English.pdf
John Davies
Spokane WA
The Frigi-Clean kit comes with the service fitting and a cap, very similar to a tire stem cap. You could thread a screw into a hole if you didn't have the BG part, the threads would cut thrmselves in the plastic. It isn't critical that it is leak proof, you could leave it open if you had to, or put some tape across it. It's just very low pressure air behind the surface.
Here are the instructions - the hardest part is locating a spot to drill.
https://www.bgprod.com/bg-master/uploads/709-Frigi-Clean-instructions-English.pdf
John Davies
Spokane WA
Ahh thanks for the info.
If one removes this panel on the passenger side there's a good chance there's access to the blower motor and a place to drill. If not, the knee airbag and the glovebox need to come out too.
If one is apprehensive about drilling - the blower motor drops out with three screws.
View attachment 1495963
If one removes this panel on the passenger side there's a good chance there's access to the blower motor and a place to drill. If not, the knee airbag and the glovebox need to come out too.
If one is apprehensive about drilling - the blower motor drops out with three screws.
View attachment 1495963
Removing the blower assembly would be smart, you can clean tbe blades with compressed air and check the motor bearings. With a 2 inch mechanics inspection mirror you should also be able to inspect one or both of the coils.
John Davies
Spokane WA
John Davies
Spokane WA
NC237 - what software/manual do you use to get the images and instructions?
I recently picked up a 2017 and am looking for a good service manual. I normally use alldatadiy website, but they don't have anything past 2015 model year.
I recently picked up a 2017 and am looking for a good service manual. I normally use alldatadiy website, but they don't have anything past 2015 model year.
It's a Toyota site located in Peru.
The 2016-2017 part doesn't work well and isn't in english.
Check out page 5 here to find the links>
200-Series LandCruiser Manual
The 2016-2017 part doesn't work well and isn't in english.
Check out page 5 here to find the links>
200-Series LandCruiser Manual
Putting foam or water into your evaporator will just make it worse if you have a clogged drain though. Can someone please help me clean out my front drain hose(s)?
I have tried reaching over the trans and blowing air in. I have tried pulling my center console apart. I have also been researching to no ends. I am about ready to drop my trans a little or try to pull out the cooling box. HELP PLEASE!!
I have tried reaching over the trans and blowing air in. I have tried pulling my center console apart. I have also been researching to no ends. I am about ready to drop my trans a little or try to pull out the cooling box. HELP PLEASE!!