Cleaning a Clogged Up A\C Window Unit.....

[fordy]

................This is the best and most effective way I have Found to UNclog the Heat Exchanger on most Window Units. First , you need to acquire one of those curved dental pics with a plastic handle about 4 inches long for removing Plaque from between your teeth . They have a curved metal end and are very strong . This curved metal end is Perfectly ....Sized and Shaped... to reach into those small rectangular spaces....Between the aluminum fins on the heat exchanger . The filter is SUPPOSED to remove most dust particles before the air is sucked thru the fins of the heat exchanger . BUT , some will always get thru ...and ...the fins have a certain amount of moisture on them so they will Stick and clump and Lodge and eventually form a Complete Blockage to the incoming air which is cooled and returned into the Room as Cold air . ..Procedure .....this is best done when the unit has been shutoff for a night or so which allows the blockages to dry out and not be so sticky when they are Wet . Now , take that dental pic and start removing the blockages from EACH individual Hole . This is tedious so please don't consume any Alcoholic beverages to relieve the Tension . Now , you'll also need to use your vacuum cleaner with the smallest , narrow suction attachment to remove the remaing blockages that the dental pic has missed . You will be very surprised at how much increased AIR Flow will result from this procedure . This allows the Unit to function as it did when NEW prior to the Blockages.....fordy...

[Daryll in NW FLA]

I take mine to the 50 cent car wash and give it a good cleaning,bring it home and blow out with the aircompressor. Not near as tedious as the pick thing but it is 17 miles one way into town and the car wash. Once in the spring and once in the fall. Daryll in NW FLA

[fordy]

..............That will work as well , But , I would rather leave the A\C in the Window . fordy..

[BeeFree]

You are saying heat exchanger. Is this the thingy that looks like aluminum that has crisscross's in it that is under the front of the window air units cover?

I know this is a blonde question, but I am from MO and I need a picture.

[Cosmic]

If it was hard deposits would get some CLR (Walmarts, most of such stores). Spray it on and keep the area wet, collect any run off and reuse, maybe cover with paper towels and spray that to help hold the CLR. Let sit 24 hours with frequent wetting / sprays. Then power wash in some manner.

If gummy or oily type deposits, spray with Dupont 3919 Prep Sol (Get at auto body supply stores or can ask at a repair shop). Then power wash.

If just dirty, dusty. Wash with soap and warm water, follow with a good strong water jet of some type.

Way to much work to be hand picking and cleaning.

[DayBird]

How would you clean the unit of the built in forced air blower air conditioner? Mine is yucky. We bought this trailer used and didn't think to try to clean the unit before turning it on. We had used it for about two months before trouble hit. Some of the dust bunnies that had collected on the coils must have slidden off and tried to go down the drain. Did you know that the drain on the thing has a P-trap in it? It got clogged. The only way we noticed the problem was because our 4yo son kept saying there was water in the vent.

I have unclogged the drain and have vacuumed the fins, but they're still dirty. Any suggestions?

[fordy]

.................Ok , let me add some additional explanation here. First , i realize this is alot tedious work , BUT , If a person was to use Compressed Air(to clean with) what you will find happening is that the high pressure air will BEND those delicate aluminum fins ...effectively...Blocking the flow of air just as the dust and moisture do when making little Mud pies . You can tell when the airconditioner has TOO much blockage by just visually inspecting the heat exchanger . But mechanically , what will happen is that the compressor will start to pump continously(sp) and eventually burn itself out . This is why they simply Quit cooling the air . The fan will continue to run but the compressor will die .
.................If a person were to clean their window unit a couple of times during the summer it would last a whole lot longer . I didn't say it would be easy , I just said it will work IF you don't want to spend the money to buy another unit as it might allow the unit to continue working until the HOT weather is overwith . fordy..

[fordy]

Originally Posted by BeeFree

You are saying heat exchanger. Is this the thingy that looks like aluminum that has crisscross's in it that is under the front of the window air units cover?

I know this is a blonde question, but I am from MO and I need a picture.

..................YES...........fordy..

[tyusclan]

Daybird, there is a cleaner designed especially for cleaning coils on an a/c. There is one for the outside coil which is usually very foamy, and one for the inside coil that doesn't foam very much. They are both concentrated. Both coils need to be cleaned once a year for you unit to function efficiently.

To clean the condensing coil (outside) mix the cleaner as directed in a pump-up sprayer and spray the coils very well. You'll see the foam lifting the dirt out of the coils. Let sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with a water hose using a fine mist so as not to bend the aluminum fins.

To clean the evaporater (inside) get one that doesn't require rinsing. They make one that you just spray on like you do on the outside coil and then just turn the unit back on. The condensation from the unit running rinses it off.

[DayBird]

Originally Posted by tyusclan

To clean the evaporater (inside) get one that doesn't require rinsing. They make one that you just spray on like you do on the outside coil and then just turn the unit back on. The condensation from the unit running rinses it off.

Where can I buy this? Lowes? WalMart? Acehardware? Please tell...

[tyusclan]

I've never checked at Lowe's or a hardware because I buy it from an A/C supply house. Most of those are wholesale only so they won't sell the general public. I'll check with our local Lowe's and see if they have it. If not I'll try to find a retail source for you and let you know.

If you have anyone you know who's in the A/C business you might get a little bit from him. It's concentrated so it would only take 3 or 4 tablespoons in a spray bottle to clean a window unit.

[tyusclan]

Lowe's has one in an aerosol can for about $6.00. It looked like more than enough to clean a window unit and probably enough to clean a good-sized central unit.

[DayBird]

Thank you. I'll look there tomorrow.