Cleaning the air conditioner radiator 🥝 how to clean the outside

Nowadays, air conditioning is an indispensable assistant for humans, especially in the summer. An air conditioner, regardless of type, performs one task: it cools and purifies the air in the cabin. Therefore, as soon as the cooling system begins to function poorly or an unpleasant smell appears inside the car, we immediately ask ourselves the question: how to clean the radiator of the car’s air conditioner outside?

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Why clean the air conditioner?

The healthy condition of the radiator is very significant and important, since this particular part is responsible for ensuring heat transfer between the coolant and the environment.

The principle of the radiator:

1. Gaseous freon is converted to liquid, and heat is released.
2. The refrigerant vapor, heating in the compressor, rises to the top of the radiator, passing through the tubes, gives them their heat.

Important! Thus, heat exchange is carried out, as a result of which the gaseous freon cools and forms droplets. At the top of the condenser is steam, and at the bottom is the liquid that enters the evaporator.

Causes of damage to the radiator

If the whole system does not work to the full, then it is entirely possible that a radiator repair for the air conditioner is needed. The causes of malfunctions can be light mechanical damage resulting from an accident. Microcracks can also contribute to this. Basically, they arise as a result of corrosion and the destructive action of various reagents, because mainly heat exchangers are made of aluminum.

Important! To remove such damage, brew the sealed areas with argon welding, as it simply makes no sense to clean the radiator of the air conditioner. For more serious damage due to the same corrosion, completely replace the radiator with a new one.

Dust, dirt, and debris collected in the radiator can also lead to a violation of heat transfer. Therefore, flushing the air conditioner radiator is simply necessary, because any breakdown of this element can lead to more serious malfunctions in the entire climate system.

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How to clean the radiator of the air conditioner?

To clean the radiator of an air conditioner in a car of any make, it is necessary, first of all, to be careful, as it is rather fragile. Therefore, stock up on time and patience so that the rush does not lead to irreparable consequences.

To get to the radiator, remove the front grill of the car. It is necessary to clean the element with a minimum pressure of water, since the structure is quite fragile and with a higher pressure, it is possible to bend the ribs of honeycombs. Cleaning the radiator consists of several operations:

1. Disposal of garbage from internal cavities.
2. Cleaning the hoses and pipes of the system.

Important! If a stream of water helps us from the outside, then for the remaining areas we need a special device: a flushing kit. Such a kit can be bought, and instructions for it will help you master the operation.

External radiator flushing:

• Karcher. The basis of this method is the technology of washing with water. To safely clean the radiator with Karcher, use “vario” rather than “cutter” as nozzle. To prevent the radiator cells from bending, use a small speed, wash not at point blank range, but at a distance of 30-50 cm.The angle should be straight or close to this.
• Compressed air. This method is similar to the previous one, only air is used instead of water.
• Without specialized equipment. Sweep some of the dirt off the radiator with a nylon brush and wash its ribs with soapy water.
• With the use of cleaning products. Currently, there are a large number of dirt cleaning products on the market. It can be aerosols or an ordinary spray can for cleaning the radiator. Apply cleaning agent to the radiator, wait a while (as indicated in the instructions), and rinse off the dirt with an ordinary watering hose.

Advice:

1. To clean the radiator of a car’s air conditioner from the outside, use a toothbrush, as well as a brush for painting heating radiators (with a long handle and slightly bent at the end). With such a brush, it will be much more convenient for you to get to distant and inaccessible corners.
2. First, clean the radiator dry, as it is better to remove the dust clouds until they are wet, and then blow out the element with compressed air or rinse with water if desired.

Important! If the air conditioner not only works poorly, but a specific unpleasant odor also appears in the cabin, it is necessary to clean the air conditioner evaporator.

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Cleaning the air conditioner evaporator with the kit

The surface of the evaporator is always wet, which means that air in the cabin with a defective element will come moist and unpleasant. To resolve the problem, use the car air conditioning cleaning kits.

Important! This tool in about 10 minutes will quickly eliminate unpleasant odors in the ventilation channels, in the air ducts of the car. It’s easy to use, you don’t need to dismantle the cabin filter.

Instructions for use of the kit:

1. Before using the product, the surface of the evaporator must be dried: open all the windows of the car.
2. Place a receiving bath under the drain hole to drain the waste.
3. Dry the air conditioner evaporator and switch on the ventilation mode for the interior airflow.
4. Start the engine.
5. Set the maximum heater temperature.
6. Direct the air distributor on legs.
7. Leave the ventilation system on for 10-15 minutes.
8. Stop the engine.
9. Use the kit as instructed.
10. After cleaning the evaporator, turn on the heater at full capacity in order to eliminate evaporator condensate.

Important! When spraying, keep the windows and doors closed.

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Stock footage

Proper handling of the air conditioner will extend its life. Good luck, car enthusiasts, a comfortable ride with clean and pleasant air. Have a good trip!