Air Conditioner cleaning -

Vehicle Air Conditioning System

Legionnaire’s disease is rare but it kills people and it's an extremely unpleasant disease. It does not spread from person to person but is present in water environments and is breathed in when it gets into the air in fine particles or mist. This is a bug which lives in the environment and will take advantage of any static warm water systems that are not cleaned out.

Always check the following; a/c vents, ducting, condensate pan and drain pipe for mould and subsequent odours

 [Every time you use your air conditioner, you are providing an opportunity for odor causing mould, mildew and bacteria to grow within your air conditioning system. To explain how this happens we must understand how the air conditioner system works. Here’s a basic explanation. When the air conditioner is on, it pulls moisture out of your car’s interior through a unit called the evaporator core, which is located underneath your car’s dashboard. When the humidity (moisture) levels drop, the air temperature also drops. The moisture that is pulled from the air condenses and is drained outside the car.

Ever notice a pool of water under your parked car on a hot summer day? That’s the water that was drained from the system. This also happens to be the way home air conditioners and refrigerators work.

Even though most of the moisture is drained from the car, moisture still remains on the evaporator core system. As the air circulates around the evaporator core, dust and pollen in the air stick to the moisture on the metal fins of the evaporator. Soon thereafter mildew and bacteria begin to grow on the surface of the evaporator. This collection of grime and odour causing agents begin to release odour and is the cause of the smell coming out of your vents.

One way to help prevent or at least reduce this issue is to keep the air conditioner on the fresh air setting. This keeps fresh air circulating around the evaporator which helps keep it and the surrounding area dry thereby reducing the chance of any mould, mildew and bacteria from growing. However, there are two disadvantages to this method. First, it’s also not always convenient to switch to the fresh air setting in order to draw in hotter air to dry out the system. It just might be too hot or cold to be worth this extra effort. It’s also not economical.

Second, allowing fresh air to flow in increases the accumulation of dust, pollen and brake dust build up. Of course if you have a cabin air filter you don’t have to worry about that since it will trap the pollutants before it reaches the evaporator area.

Another possible solution is to spray a disinfectant like Lysol® into the ventilation system or have your car treated with ozone or other similar system. However, this process does not affect any dust, pollen and other contaminants that have accumulated on the evaporator. While it may disinfect any mould, mildew and bacteria, the results are usually short term.] Clearing the Air, by Michael Mankarious

Always check the following; a/c condensate pan and condensate drain pipe smells and odours, for ac odours use 1z Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioning Cleaner or Wurth Air Conditioning & Heating System Treatment, an effective means for removing odour-causing bacteria, smoke fumes, fungi and other germs.

It effectively disinfects mould, mildew and bacteria on the evaporator core. It also applies a thin layer of protectant that has been proven in laboratory tests which makes the growth of contaminants more difficult so the results are long lasting. The effective foam solution emulsifies the debris build up on the evaporator core so it’s cleaner and will run more efficiently.

The condensate drain line can be cleaned out with some stiff but flexible wire, once it’s running free insert the Iz AC Cleaner and spray the foam to ensure any mould or bacteria is removed.

The effective foam solution emulsifies the debris build up on the evaporator core so it’s cleaner and will run more efficiently. Apply product through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle. As the mfg warns that electronics can be damaged if applied improperly; while applying the product through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle seems to avoid this risk.

Application

· Turn off ignition, air conditioning and fan system and adjust fan position to recirculation and make sure it is NOT on the 'foot' or 'defrost' position.

· Shake can well for one minute to ensure proper foaming of product when dispensed.

· Attach the supplied spray tube to aerosol can and insert end of tube into centre (as this is the closest the evaporator core) air conditioner vent located on the dash in the cockpit interior.

· With tube fully inserted in vent, press trigger to dispense contents.

· DO NOT invert can when dispensing. As you spray, the thick foam solution will travel through the air vents towards the evaporator (the source of odour causing elements).  

· After dispensing product, wait 20 minutes for product to clean the system. Then, open doors to allow fresh air to enter vehicle.

· After about 30 minutes, you’ll smell a fresh, citrus scent throughout the passenger cabin. The scent only lasts for about 12 hours, but the air will be free of odours for months

Options:

1: Apply Klima-Cleaner tube through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle.

2: Remove blower and insert tube through main ducting of housing.

Another significant benefit is the result of cleaner interior air. This is especially important for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to airborne contaminants. For those who are highly sensitive to chemicals, rest assured that Klima-Cleaner is a water- and salt-based cleaner so chances of any skin reaction is extremely minimal.

Tips

1. Turn off the AC but leave the fan running for the last minute or two before turning off the ignition to help dry the condenser and surrounding area.

2. Turn on fan to maximum setting with A/C setting in ON for approximately 1 minute to dry system. as a result of improper application

3. Change out or clean Cabin Air Filter

Evaporator Coil

Wurth EVAPOmat® atomises cleaning and odour eliminating active substances with the aid of three ultrasonic cells. The active substance mist is blown out of the EVAPOmat® by a fan.

The fine vapour is distributed in the entire ventilation duct or in the vehicle interior by the supplied application hose and is deposited on the evaporator surface or on the textiles and reliably eliminates unpleasant odours caused by bacteria and fungi. After approx. 15 min. the mist spray is switched off, however the fan continues to run for at least another 5 minutes to cool down the cells.

Outstanding effectiveness, odour molecules are absorbed and eliminated naturally, spreads a pleasant, fresh citrus fragrance.

Air Vents

Cleaning your car air vents effectively is as easy as using the right tool. A small, soft and flexible brush will easily dust out your vents the next time you detail your interior. Make sure your brush will pick up dirt and not scratch delicate or plastic surfaces. Turn the air on, and let the vents blow out as you dust, so that you don't push dust and dirt back behind them. If you wish to dampen your brush with a safe ammonia and silicone free cleaner (P21S Total Auto Clean)