Do-it-yourself flushing of car air conditioner tubes
Content
The cooling system of the machine is constantly wet, because of this, various bacteria appear there. Therefore, do not forget about regular cleaning of the car air conditioner.
Often, motorists notice that the split system in the car starts to malfunction. The reason may be pollution, then flushing the tubes of the car's air conditioner will help return the equipment to good condition. Such services are provided in car services, but you can do it at home on your own, without special skills.
Why you need to flush the tubes of the car air conditioner
The cooling system of the machine is constantly wet, which is why various bacteria appear there. Therefore, the inside is sometimes treated with antibacterial drugs that are detrimental to the established microflora. There are several types of cleansers, and they are selected depending on whether you just need to get rid of the unpleasant odor or completely clean all the nodes.
The process of self-flushing the car air conditioner
These are various concentrates, liquids for mechanical cleaning of the radiator and evaporator, filter sprays that can be used by both professional cleaners and motorists on their own. There are other methods for flushing the tubes of a car's air conditioner, for example, the use of special ultrasonic devices, which are usually used in car services.
When to Flush Your Air Conditioner Pipes
Do-it-yourself preventive washing of the car air conditioner tubes is carried out once a year if the car is dry and mold does not appear on the walls. Wet salons are cleaned twice a year.
Dirty car air conditioner
In some situations, the cooling system becomes contaminated faster than the time for its preventive cleaning. In such cases, it is urgent to clean the air conditioner tubes in the car, otherwise it may stop working due to excessive pollution.
Signs of contamination of the cooling system:
- Unpleasant odors in the cabin that appear after switching on;
- Extraneous noises - buzzing, whistling and so on;
- Droplets of condensate from the air duct;
- Mold on the internal parts of the equipment;
- Mucus is a thickening of condensate by metabolic products of bacteria.
Do-it-yourself car air conditioning
The drainage system in the car air conditioner consists of two parts:
- Tube - fluid is drained through it;
- Tray - where excess moisture collects.
During operation, dust and dirt inevitably get into the air conditioner, along with which various microorganisms penetrate into the equipment. In a humid environment, they actively grow and multiply, as a result, an unpleasant smell appears in the cabin. After some time, bacteria enter the drainage system, excess moisture is removed worse, and the motorist notices droplets of condensate that were not there before.
The consequences of poor cleaning of the air conditioner in the form of condensate
That is why it is important to flush the drainage in a timely manner, and not to neglect preventive cleaning of the entire cooling system.
Cleaning tools
Cleaning the tubes of the car air conditioner in car services is carried out using specialized equipment. At home, for this procedure you will need:
- Soap solution, antiseptic or industrial cleaner for cleaning the air conditioner pipe in the car;
- Household or car vacuum cleaner;
- Various brushes and rags with which it is convenient to clean small parts.
Step-by-step instructions for flushing tubes
Anyone can flush the tubes of a car air conditioner, the main thing is to read the operating instructions for the equipment and know the basic rules. Before cleaning the pipes, it is better to rinse the parts of the indoor unit, as well as the filter and radiator from dirt.
Cleaning the tubes of the car air conditioner
How to clean the drain pipe of the air conditioner in the car yourself:
- First you need to disconnect the pan from the board and the outlet tube, and then pull it out and wash it;
- Blow out the drainage system tube with a compressor or a simple vacuum cleaner (automobile or household). You can rinse the channel with ordinary water with soap added to it, a special liquid for washing car air conditioner tubes, or various improvised substances;
- When microorganisms have already spread throughout the split system, an additional fungus remover or a simple antiseptic may be required.
Additionally, you should clean the pan, it is because of it that an unpleasant smell spreads through the cabin. It is better to use deodorants and air fresheners when cleansing, which, the next time the aroma appears, will be able to contain it for some time.
Washing with Lysol
To flush the tubes of a car air conditioner, it is not necessary to buy special liquids, you can use folk remedies. Lysol (a soap-oil based cresol) is often used for this procedure.
It is used in medicine to disinfect premises, as well as in catering establishments to remove unpleasant odors from industrial equipment. Lysol is diluted with a soapy solution 1:100 if it is a concentrated product, and 1:25 if it is surgical. For cleaning, you will need 300-500 ml of finished liquid.
Cleaning air conditioner pipes with chlorhexidine
Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that can be used to flush tubes. As a rule, it is taken at a concentration of 0,05%. The substance is completely safe, and is used in medicine for the treatment of wounds.
Using chlorhexidine to clean a car air conditioner
Chlorhexidine is more effective in the warm season, when the air temperature is above 20 degrees. In winter, it is better to clean the drain pipe of the car's air conditioner with another tool.
Additional tips
A few tips on how to deal with split system pollution as efficiently as possible:
- Preventive cleaning should not be neglected, even if at first glance everything is fine with the cooling system. Removal of dust, accumulated dirt and microorganisms.
- Do not be afraid to clean the tubes of the car air conditioner yourself. In case of uncertainty, you can find a video on the Internet about how a similar procedure is done on a specific car model (Renault Duster, Kia Rio, and so on).
- To prevent the cooling system from clogging prematurely, there is a little trick - you need to turn it off shortly before the car remains in the parking lot. This will allow the liquid that is in the equipment to evaporate, and there will be much less microorganisms and debris in it.
- Cleaning procedures will not be effective if the cabin filter has expired. We must not forget to change it in time. The filter protects the cooling system from dirt, and keeping it in working condition prolongs the life of the air conditioner itself.
Sometimes improper operation leads to premature contamination of the cooling system. Before starting the air conditioner, it is necessary to study the instructions in order to properly set up its operation.
Is it worth it to turn to professionals
It is not difficult to wash the tubes of the car air conditioner with your own hands. However, this will only help in case of minor contamination or for preventive purposes.
If the car is old enough, has been parked for a long time or the air conditioner has not been cleaned for several seasons, it is better to entrust it to professionals. They have special equipment with which the cleansing will be deeper and more effective.
