AC condensor cleaning
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AC condensor cleaning
Did a bit of work behind the grill last weekend and thought I'd post the results of something I tried. As a side note, I'm going to put some screen behind my grill. The amount of "kitty litter" sized gravel stuck in my AC condensor is unreal!
Anyhow, after pressure wasing out the condensor, and cleaning it with a tooth brush, brass brush, and toothpick it dawned on me that there was a lot of road grime - oily stuff - in the fins. So I shot them with engine degreaser. The crud really ran out when I rinsed it down. I never even thought that the "Gunk" might damage the condensor - I hope not.
The results were amazing! The AC is absolutely freezing now. My wife commented that she couldn't keep the vents pointed at her anymore, they were just too cold.
I don't know if it was the wash, the Gunk, the combination or what - but what a difference. Hopefully this will also keep the engine cooler when towing now.
Anyhow, after pressure wasing out the condensor, and cleaning it with a tooth brush, brass brush, and toothpick it dawned on me that there was a lot of road grime - oily stuff - in the fins. So I shot them with engine degreaser. The crud really ran out when I rinsed it down. I never even thought that the "Gunk" might damage the condensor - I hope not.
The results were amazing! The AC is absolutely freezing now. My wife commented that she couldn't keep the vents pointed at her anymore, they were just too cold.
I don't know if it was the wash, the Gunk, the combination or what - but what a difference. Hopefully this will also keep the engine cooler when towing now.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Originally Posted by emptyd
I don't know if it was the wash, the Gunk, the combination or what - but what a difference.
Now you've got ME thinking...hmmm...just how long ago was it that I did mine??
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by emptyd
Did a bit of work behind the grill last weekend and thought I'd post the results of something I tried. As a side note, I'm going to put some screen behind my grill. The amount of "kitty litter" sized gravel stuck in my AC condensor is unreal!
Anyhow, after pressure wasing out the condensor, and cleaning it with a tooth brush, brass brush, and toothpick it dawned on me that there was a lot of road grime - oily stuff - in the fins. So I shot them with engine degreaser. The crud really ran out when I rinsed it down. I never even thought that the "Gunk" might damage the condensor - I hope not.
The results were amazing! The AC is absolutely freezing now. My wife commented that she couldn't keep the vents pointed at her anymore, they were just too cold.
I don't know if it was the wash, the Gunk, the combination or what - but what a difference. Hopefully this will also keep the engine cooler when towing now.
Anyhow, after pressure wasing out the condensor, and cleaning it with a tooth brush, brass brush, and toothpick it dawned on me that there was a lot of road grime - oily stuff - in the fins. So I shot them with engine degreaser. The crud really ran out when I rinsed it down. I never even thought that the "Gunk" might damage the condensor - I hope not.
The results were amazing! The AC is absolutely freezing now. My wife commented that she couldn't keep the vents pointed at her anymore, they were just too cold.
I don't know if it was the wash, the Gunk, the combination or what - but what a difference. Hopefully this will also keep the engine cooler when towing now.
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Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
I use window screen behind my front grill... pics in my gallery.
How did you mount the screen in the lower portion of the grill - the cutout near the fog lights?
What year is your truck? I like the "more open" grille. I think it would let more air flow thru. Mine is stock 2001 - it has the aluminum grill that has horizontal vanes about an 1/8 inch thick, separated by about 1/8 inch of air space. In other words, it is about half blocked for air flow. Doesn't look good.
I'd like to try and replace the grill with one like yours once I have the screen in.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
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Originally Posted by emptyd
Looks like you used "metal" window screen. In another thread Monsta specifically said "non-metal screen". Any ideads on why. I'll ask him too.
How did you mount the screen in the lower portion of the grill - the cutout near the fog lights?
What year is your truck? I like the "more open" grille. I think it would let more air flow thru. Mine is stock 2001 - it has the aluminum grill that has horizontal vanes about an 1/8 inch thick, separated by about 1/8 inch of air space. In other words, it is about half blocked for air flow. Doesn't look good.
I'd like to try and replace the grill with one like yours once I have the screen in.
How did you mount the screen in the lower portion of the grill - the cutout near the fog lights?
What year is your truck? I like the "more open" grille. I think it would let more air flow thru. Mine is stock 2001 - it has the aluminum grill that has horizontal vanes about an 1/8 inch thick, separated by about 1/8 inch of air space. In other words, it is about half blocked for air flow. Doesn't look good.
I'd like to try and replace the grill with one like yours once I have the screen in.
I have noticed no ill-effects on cooling and/or air in-take flow. Just a hose or power washer at the car wash and all is clean and new looking.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I'm almost positive that Home Depot does not carry stainless screening, but they do have aluminum.
I tried to get stainless, here in the Los Angeles area from a big, commercial, screen and glass shop. When I said stainless, they said "Not our industry. Try food service or medical".
They could even get copper, but not stainless.
So I settled for aluminum.
Pp
I tried to get stainless, here in the Los Angeles area from a big, commercial, screen and glass shop. When I said stainless, they said "Not our industry. Try food service or medical".
They could even get copper, but not stainless.
So I settled for aluminum.
Pp
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