Cleaning AC System and Evaporator
- Thread starter elmariachi
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Sounds like BG has developed a great way to clean the evaporators. Somebody was thinking on that one. I would still try to rinse the evaporator/box when done. My refrigeration guys use coil cleaners that claim you do not have to rinse, but we get much better results by rinsing the coils after using any type of coils cleaners.
- Thread starter
- #23
Just an FYI, on page AC-35 of the 1997 FSM it says "Never use water to clean the evaporator."
Im very disappointed....I went to my local BG dist. which is about 1 mile away, $70.00 !!! !
I will see IF I need it that bad....
Thanks for the info.
I will see IF I need it that bad....
Thanks for the info.
- Joined
- May 31, 2003
- Messages
- 10,165
Vitesse_6 said:
This is not BG, but if you need it bad .... it is less than $70
http://www.ackits.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=dwd2
Vitesse_6 said:
elmariachi said:$25 total from BG Products.
Something is not jiving here
It seams odd that the FSM says not to use water on something that constantly condenses large amounts of water on its surface in normal use and even has drain installed to drain the water?
Maybe they mean wile the evaporator is removed and open (see context) you should not use water on it in fear of getting some in the open ports? Water contamination on the inside of the system is a problem. On the exterior of a sealed evaporator should be fine,
Interesting to hear that the AC now seams t work better, if it was covered in funk before it would make sense that it will cool better with that insulation removed.
people have also gotten results by insulating the AC lines where they run in the engine bay to reduce absorption of heat.
The DWD2 product referenced by medtro is a foaming cleaner that contains essentially the same active ingredient as the BG Products cleaner. I used it 3 years ago and it worked ok to reduce AC smell.
When I purchased it, the kit included 1 9 oz can and 1 7 oz can of cleaner and the nozzle necessary to inject into the evaporator case.
When I purchased it, the kit included 1 9 oz can and 1 7 oz can of cleaner and the nozzle necessary to inject into the evaporator case.
Jim,
Any chance of a group buy?
Thanks
Any chance of a group buy?
Thanks
- Joined
- May 31, 2003
- Messages
- 10,165
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2003
- Messages
- 274
found this using froogle, no affiliation:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46093&item=4614566435
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46093&item=4614566435
Yet another alternative...
I went to the local Toyota dealer and asked about the BG Frigi-Clean... well the parts representative said that they stopped using BG products... and gave me an AC kit which comes with an Evaporator cleaner and refresher from "PETRO Checmical A/C Power Foam". This is what they use on Toyotas for A/C service according to the parts rep.
Anyways, total cost is $18.95 for the entire kit. Also, there is no hole to drill. Simply snugly fit the wedge adapter at the end of the dispensing apparatus into the evaporator drain tube and dispense it. 10-15 mins later, foam will liquify and drain out. Then follow with "ConditionAire 2005 Refresher" into the fresh air intake with blower on high...
Whole process took me 20-25 mins... and best of all, SMELLS GONE!
-hkimsoft
I went to the local Toyota dealer and asked about the BG Frigi-Clean... well the parts representative said that they stopped using BG products... and gave me an AC kit which comes with an Evaporator cleaner and refresher from "PETRO Checmical A/C Power Foam". This is what they use on Toyotas for A/C service according to the parts rep.
Anyways, total cost is $18.95 for the entire kit. Also, there is no hole to drill. Simply snugly fit the wedge adapter at the end of the dispensing apparatus into the evaporator drain tube and dispense it. 10-15 mins later, foam will liquify and drain out. Then follow with "ConditionAire 2005 Refresher" into the fresh air intake with blower on high...
Whole process took me 20-25 mins... and best of all, SMELLS GONE!
-hkimsoft
- Thread starter
- #32
RavenTai said:
I think you may be right....after posting that I am not sure what getting it wet could hurt.
Arleaux said:
Feel free to call them and ask...BG Products on Jones Road West. I am not interested in orchestrating a group buy on a $25 kit just to save $2-3....I love you all but I am too busy for that.
Vitesse_6 said:
That's if THEY hook it up to a machine and do it. The local distributor showed me that too, but that's not what you want. You want BG part #708 and 709....less than $25 total.
hkimsoft said:
After looking around I think there are half a dozen of these types of kits out there. Regardless, my system is blowing very cold and smells great (no smell actually.)
hkimsoft said:
I'm new to FZJ80...
Where is the fresh air intake located?
Thanks
Grench
SILVER Star
The slots in front of the hood next to the wipers I believe.
I see.Grench said:
In some trucks/cars there is a small filter just past those slots, is it the case for FZJ80?
I can check that in the manual once I get back home, but maybe you know that already?
Grench
SILVER Star
I have no idea. My only trick with the fresh air intakes is to put the 2nd row floor mat carpet side down over them and under the wipers when its going to snow. It helps a lot to keep the inside defogged if the intakes aren't sucking frozen water or clogged.
Grench said:
Good advice - thanks!
PS
I'll be in Omaha with kids, visiting the zoo some day in Labor Day wekeend.
On sale on Ebay for $19.99 shipped
I just bought one on Ebay. Since people were having problems finding them before, thought some folks might want to know. No affiliation with the seller.
I just bought one on Ebay. Since people were having problems finding them before, thought some folks might want to know. No affiliation with the seller.
Tried it...
First, thanks Jim for helping out. I managed to find a local distributor for BG products. Seems like many have the same active ingredients on the can. I know the pics don't really add anything but we all like pics:
1996 LX450
The "kit" comes w/ the cleaner/foam, applicator tubing (bicycle nut), the Frigi-Fresh spray and then the small brass self taping fitting and a plug in case you wanted to remove the fitting when you're done.
Drilled a 1/4" pilot hole and screwed the fitting w/ a small wrench.
Connected it all up, ran the truck w/ max A/C and sprayed the foam. Blower squeeked a bit and had to pause as the directions state but got it all in < 30seconds. Ran it a bit (1 min) and shut it down.
On the sidewalk, I've gotta say was not the mud and grime I expected but my biggest problem was trying to kill the dog that lives in there. I did have two brownish stains from dirty fluid come out. (maybe a bit more impressive in person)
After sitting for 10-15 min, I ran it for 8 min and sprayed the Frigi-Clean in the cowl vents and ran for two more. Must say, smells much better so far.
Capped off and ready for next time.
Thanks again Jim. I paid right at $30 for the kit.
Bx
First, thanks Jim for helping out. I managed to find a local distributor for BG products. Seems like many have the same active ingredients on the can. I know the pics don't really add anything but we all like pics:
1996 LX450
The "kit" comes w/ the cleaner/foam, applicator tubing (bicycle nut), the Frigi-Fresh spray and then the small brass self taping fitting and a plug in case you wanted to remove the fitting when you're done.
Drilled a 1/4" pilot hole and screwed the fitting w/ a small wrench.
Connected it all up, ran the truck w/ max A/C and sprayed the foam. Blower squeeked a bit and had to pause as the directions state but got it all in < 30seconds. Ran it a bit (1 min) and shut it down.
On the sidewalk, I've gotta say was not the mud and grime I expected but my biggest problem was trying to kill the dog that lives in there. I did have two brownish stains from dirty fluid come out. (maybe a bit more impressive in person)
After sitting for 10-15 min, I ran it for 8 min and sprayed the Frigi-Clean in the cowl vents and ran for two more. Must say, smells much better so far.
Capped off and ready for next time.
Thanks again Jim. I paid right at $30 for the kit.
Bx
Last edited:
Got a funky smell in mine this spring that would not go away, yesterday went all around town looking for evaporator cleaner foam, no one had ever heard of it much less have any, they kept trying to sell me the spray you put in the vents " make it smell real purdy" 
only thing I found was a can of car quest house brand "coil and vent cleaner" for $7, very little info on the can besides don't eat it don't get en eyes etc in 4 languages.
removed the transistor heat sink (see pictures above near where they installed nipple, remove glove box and displace one computer and a harness, remove two screws) found a bunch of oak leaves pine needles and short Grey hairs in there, especially up in the aft corner closest to the passenger seat, the evaporator had a bunch of slimy funk on it, mostly near the bottom, seamed to be held together by the same short gray hairs,
Rat hairs?
pulled out the leaves and the big chunks of slime and a chunk of white plastic that I cannot identify, sprayed the evaporator down with this stuff and to my dismay it was not really cleaner and did not touch the slime but instead it was just perfume stuff, now my ac smelled like a combo of cherries and urinal mint
plan B got our the liquid sprayer and a gallon of dawn and hot water, moved the tip around to blow out every fin, was careful to not bump the evaporator and bend any fins, that seamed to blow most of the funk out the back and down the drain, the thickest spots did not budge though, next mixed up a gallon of bleach solution, about 6 OZ in a gallon of hot water. that did it, sparkly clean, finished up with the garden hose on low, to remove as much of the cleaners as possible, the drain can handle a surprising volume of water
not sure if the chlorine will damage the aluminum before it evaporates/is neutralized long term but I had to do something to get that funk our of there.
my vents now smell like a faint mix of cherries & bleach, a not so pleasant combo hopefully I wont have to put up with that for long but it is better than before, bonus ac blows noticeably more air and colder.
the short answer, don't be a impatient like me, get the right stuff before you start and I would certainly remove the heat sink and look at the evaporator and see what you are dealing with, no foam is going to remove a fist full of FOD from the box. make sure you feel around the left aft corner where you cannot see. as that is where the fan blows most of it.
wish I had taken pictures.
only thing I found was a can of car quest house brand "coil and vent cleaner" for $7, very little info on the can besides don't eat it don't get en eyes etc in 4 languages. removed the transistor heat sink (see pictures above near where they installed nipple, remove glove box and displace one computer and a harness, remove two screws) found a bunch of oak leaves pine needles and short Grey hairs in there, especially up in the aft corner closest to the passenger seat, the evaporator had a bunch of slimy funk on it, mostly near the bottom, seamed to be held together by the same short gray hairs,
Rat hairs?
pulled out the leaves and the big chunks of slime and a chunk of white plastic that I cannot identify, sprayed the evaporator down with this stuff and to my dismay it was not really cleaner and did not touch the slime but instead it was just perfume stuff, now my ac smelled like a combo of cherries and urinal mint
plan B got our the liquid sprayer and a gallon of dawn and hot water, moved the tip around to blow out every fin, was careful to not bump the evaporator and bend any fins, that seamed to blow most of the funk out the back and down the drain, the thickest spots did not budge though, next mixed up a gallon of bleach solution, about 6 OZ in a gallon of hot water. that did it, sparkly clean, finished up with the garden hose on low, to remove as much of the cleaners as possible, the drain can handle a surprising volume of water
not sure if the chlorine will damage the aluminum before it evaporates/is neutralized long term but I had to do something to get that funk our of there.
my vents now smell like a faint mix of cherries & bleach, a not so pleasant combo hopefully I wont have to put up with that for long but it is better than before, bonus ac blows noticeably more air and colder.
the short answer, don't be a impatient like me, get the right stuff before you start and I would certainly remove the heat sink and look at the evaporator and see what you are dealing with, no foam is going to remove a fist full of FOD from the box. make sure you feel around the left aft corner where you cannot see. as that is where the fan blows most of it.
wish I had taken pictures.
