AC Evaporator Cleaner access?

[scb71]

My 2011 LX570 stinks like I know alot of Toyota products do. I changed the cabin air filter but it did nothing so I now want to clean the evaporator. I've seen write ups on other cars but am surprised I cannot find anything on the LX570 or newer landcruisers. Living in Houston the AC runs year round so this happens I suppose.

Has anyone done this with success?
Where is the drain line and how is it accessed?
What about accessing the evaporator somewhere on the cabin side?

I appreciate any and all input and recommendations on products for that matter. I'm tired of the stink...

 

[bigbassinbob]

I have been trying to find a solution for this as well on my 2016 LC which started to smell like mildew within 6 months of delivery.

 

[NC237]

Dealers offer the "AC evaporator cleaning service".

Here's the TSB on handling smell.
Download Rate Exceeded

Basically replace the filter and if that doesn't work do the AC evaporator cleaning service.

One of the evaporators is buried in the dash and another in the rear.
Looks complex and too intimidating for me. If it was me I'd try the cleaning service at the dealer.

 

[NC237]

Here's a newer TSB that points to a kit.

This video shows the kit in generic use.


Maybe not so intimidating if one can find the drain tube.
But as expensive and complex as these systems can be - if it was me I'd still do the service at the dealer just to leverage their experience and shift the risk. I wouldn't be comfortable myself dumping that foam into the system. But that comes from my inexperience.

 

[scb71]

Thanks for the posts.
I am hoping someone knows where the drain tube is...
I looked under the glove box and in some cars you can clearly see the evaporator box which would allow the drill access for something like the BG product but I did not see anything definitive. Easier and preferable though would be to simply find the drain line. I can spend more time digging around but was really hoping someone had done this and could point us to where that stinking (no pun intended) drain tube lands. There you can just hook up one of these flush products and flush it out.

 

[ranma21]

This works similar with the BG cleaner that I have tried before.

 

[allan man]

Thanks for the posts.
I am hoping someone knows where the drain tube is...
I looked under the glove box and in some cars you can clearly see the evaporator box which would allow the drill access for something like the BG product but I did not see anything definitive. Easier and preferable though would be to simply find the drain line. I can spend more time digging around but was really hoping someone had done this and could point us to where that stinking (no pun intended) drain tube lands. There you can just hook up one of these flush products and flush it out.

Start your cruiser park it in your driveway...turn AC on when it starts dripping you will find your drain tube.

 

[uparmoredyotas]

Need to resurrect this.....

The drip is coming from above the transmission, it feels like there is a drain or something up there but not enough room to get air in it. I tried to get to it from the inside and took the whole center console out but no luck.

I have 2 2010 landcruiser 200s that are getting water in the vents in the center console. I am assuming clogged drain, but cant figure out how to get to it. Id really appreciate some help with this.

 

[NC237]

Which vents?

The ones on the back of the cooler box that face the 2nd row?

Also check this thread out.

A/C Evaporator Cleaning for smelly A/C

 

[uparmoredyotas]

Yes those vents. Good link btw, that confirmed the location of the front drain hoses which i found by running the ac on an unclogged vehicle. As far access/cleaning i am still stuck. 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!!

 

[NC237]

There must be a lot of water in there to make it up to those rear vents.- There's a turn and incline for those ducts. I'm surprised there aren't leaks in other places.

I imagine you've already done this- But you should be able to pull off the back over of the console and run a small hose attachment on a wet vac to get the water out of the vents and possibly the evaporator core.

Doesn't solve the clog though. If you drop the blower motor you might be able to take a small vac hose and get to the evaporator core to remove debris. There's info in the other link and attached pdf.

Dropping the trans might be more work. Also you'll probably only get access to the drain hole which I don't think will help much removing all the debris inside the evaporator core that's causing the clog.

Typically shops will remove the evaporator core entirely to clean it out when clogged. But that requires a complete dash removal...

 

[uparmoredyotas]

yea i already took the vents out completely to clean mold too. I also took the center console/front of the dash off to try to find access with no luck, I just don't want to take the whole dash out, id rather drop the trans though your right that might no solve y problem.

I have a manual and read through that stuff too. You have an interesting idea, I'm thinking if its clogged on the inside where it drains out, do you think my hand will reach that from the blower?

thanx

 

[NC237]

A hand? Doubt it. The duct is narrow and there's a turn from going up through the blower motor housing. If you pulled out the blower assembly entirely, possibly. But you'd probably have to pull the whole dash to do that.

A wire hook would fit. Also a small vacuum hose attachment would fit too.

If there was mold then you'll likely have to also do the foam cleaner to deal with smell after the clog is fixed.

 

[NC237]

When I mean mini hose I'm thinking something like this.

 

[uparmoredyotas]

yea I can throw a small tube on my compressor or shop vac, good idea thanx!!!

I really cant believe theres no better way to clean the ac drain, usually Toyota is good about maint stuff

 

[Raymond Grunch]

The front evap drain does not have a tube, it is a little bung in the floorboard on the transmission hump pretty much even with the front mud flap.

Only viewable from the drivers side.

 

[Raymond Grunch]

Here is a poor bideo of said Bunghole.

 

[Mytoyz]

yea I can throw a small tube on my compressor or shop vac, good idea thanx!!!

I really cant believe theres no better way to clean the ac drain, usually Toyota is good about maint stuff

Did you ever get it cleaned? Did you use foam in the drain? Did you completely remove the drain grommet? Also did you ever clean the rear evaporator? Foam it? Thanks

 

[LX George]

I bought a 2010 LX 570 a few weeks ago and the AC needed a refresh. Bought the foam cans off Amazon. The said “bunghole” is in fact the drain for the main evap coil and is impossible to access. What I did to make it clear was spray degreaser with the squirt function of a spray bottle and then after 10-15min used the pin point hose with the steam cleaner to blast the bunghole with steam. Next was a hole drilled in the air box to pump the foam into. (Pic of locations) Let sit for 15min. Turned on air. And now fresher. And drains great. PS. Had to make 3 holes and the middle one is where the foam went in and filled the cavity.

 

[LX George]

Update. The previous ac cleaning didn’t work. Filling a small hole on the drivers side with foam doesn’t get enough on the coil. Today I removed the blower motor, glove box and knee airbag to access the coil from the blower housing. Then the real fun starts...

First I used a garden sprayer and unloaded 2 gallons of water into the evap housing. This was just an initial flush.

Second I took a small hose from the evap foam cans and sealed one end and hooked the other end to the sprayer. About 20 small needle holes in the tip of that hose made a perfect sprayer in all directions at the tip of the hose.

Third unloaded a whole can of foam in tho the evap housing from the blower motor opening.

Wait 15-20min. Then used another 2 gallons of water to rinse The foam and dirt residue out.

Last part of the flush was a pint of mold remover from Home Depot sprayed into the evap housing. Let it drain and dry. Reinstall everything.

My step dad had access to an ozone machine which has run several hours in the car with the recirc on, air filter removed and air filter door off. That takes any remaining smells out of the system and whole car.

All I can say is wow. It’s perfect! The key to the cleaning I believe is the large amount of water in the housing. It really flushed with volume of water instead of the condensation run off only.

My last step will be an air freshener in the fresh air intake while switching between body, feet and defrost. That way the vents get a blast of freshness.