I need to clean evaporator coil

[holysmoke]

I am able to get to the exterior of the coil easily and it is very dirty.

Please tell me how to clean this.  I called an AC company and they wanted $500.  I know, its SW Florida

[RegUS_PatOff]

do you have a model number ?

 

[holysmoke]

sorry bout that.

Carrier FY4ANF048

[dkpd1581]

Take a stiff bristled paint brush and GENTLY brush the coils in line with the ridges and use a shop vac to vacuum to all of the  available surfaces at the same time.  Use a 1 or 3 gal pump spray bottle with the long wand and trigger assembly so as to be able to reach well inside the case.  Use a 1:1 or 2:1 of Simple Green (or any mild surfactant you like) to water mix and put it in the pump sprayer bottle.

Pump it up to a good strong pressure (adjust the spray half way between a stream and widest spray pattern) and starting from the top down wash the coil on all exposed metal surfaces.  You can use the paint brush to continue loosening the remaining dirt while the mixture soaks.  Clean the pump bottle and then go back over the coil with clean water at least once.

Most likely the reason for the $500 cost is that the Company intends to remove the coil from the case and chemically clean it outside of the unit and THAT IS labor intensive and cannot be done without special tools, skills, and supplies. 

Even though it sounds like alot - and in fact that is alot of money - that method is the best way.  The method I described is one of the more common ones while not going through labor of removing the coil.

[holysmoke]

thanks much, sounds like a Saturday job.

much appreciated

[Bobice]

You can also try "Evapco" foaming evaporator cleaner available at most good parts stores.

[holysmoke]

have searched google for Evapco foaming evaporator cleaner

Evapco evaporator cleaner

and Evapco cleaner

with no luck.  do you know where I might buy this product? thanks

[Bobice]

Made by Virginia Chemical distributed by "Mars" most good Parts Suppliers carry it.

[holysmoke]

tyvm

[Bobice]

A little in the "fund"

[Bobice]

Something similar : http://www.mainsupplies.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=218

[applianceman18007260692]

Foaming cooling coil cleaner is what you want, any HVAC store will have it

coil cleaner.bmp

coil cleaner.bmp

[holysmoke]

thanks for the pic.  can anyone buy at an hvac store or do you have to have a license?

[nathancarter]

Just to contribute something else that's somewhat related - and I hope it's not too off-topic:

There is a very similar evap cleaner made specifically for cleaning automotive evaporator cores - the kind that are hidden in your dashboard. If your car's A/C is stinky or musty or mildewy, give it a try!

http://www.1z-usa.com/Klima-Cleaner--AC-Odor-Remover_p_28.html

http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einszett-klima-cleaner-air-freshener.html

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=607183

[applianceman18007260692]

The foaming cooling coil cleaner is for A coils because it does not use the acid base that is needed for the outside units. It is baking soda based and works quite well. Probably does well on cars, it kicks ass on window units. You can get it at ACE hardware or online. For outside units on central air you need a tougher product. Most pros buy a concentrated gallon of acid based cool cleaner stuff for that and is not recommended for indoor use. Brite alum is the best