Grass in condenser

[G Winter]

I pulled the radiator out today. Did a good clean job on it and straightened and bent fins. It is amazing how many small grains of sand are embeded in the fins at the bottom. The problem I have is the condenser has all kinds of grass and what looks like cotton from cottonwood trees. I am having a horrible time getting that blown out. Any ideas on how to clean that out without removing it. I hate to open up a good working air conditioner system. I have tried air with some results but not satisfied that it is clean enough.

Glenn

 

[jester]

I had the same problem with mine. I used a soft brush and gently brushed in the direction of the fins (not across them). This worked pretty good to get the Cottonwood seeds out.


Good luck.
John

 

[G Winter]

thanks jester. now to find that soft brush.

 

[Im1ru2]

Cleaning Condensor coil.

A plastic toilet bowl brush with a Long handle (brand new mind you )works very well. I know being an A/C tech , Just be careful , Like Jester said brush with the fins not across .
If it 's really dirty find a foaming coil cleaner to spray on then rinse off,
first from the backside to push the crap out thenfrom the top down on the
intake side .

Jamm'in Jeff

 

[G Winter]

Where do I get the foam coil cleaner? autoparts store? I didn't know they had anything like that.
Thanks for the info.
Glenn

 

[Im1ru2]

Coil cleaner

Che at your local auto parts stores. If you can't get locally order online at
novatech-usa.com , I reccomend pk 01 powder - mix with water - read the tech sheet and m.s.d.s. Material safety data sheet ( just covering my :booty ).
If you don't like that do an online search for coil cleaners-- you can get pretty much anything you want on the net these days!!


Jamm'in Jeff

 

[G Winter]

Thanks for that info I will check the parts supplier tomorrow.While we are on the subject of coils. Have you ever used a fin straightening tool? If so how well do they work and do they come in diff sizes?
Thanks
Glenn

 

[Im1ru2]

straightening fins

There are several designs, the one I have has different heads depending on the number of fins per inch, which imho is the best. If you are very careful you
can use a thin flat blade screwdriver. I did one last week on an A/C unit that had been pushed in pretty good.

Jamm'in Jeff

 

[G Winter]

I used a screw driver on the radiator but just not real pleased with the results. Maybe I should look in sears today. I just found out a this morning that my axuilary cooling fan don't come on with the aircond. I know thats not right , hope it isn't wiring or the control would just be so easy to replace the contactor.
Another question for you . My complete acumulator frosts over, that would be a sign of low freon? Concerning the same thing , it has R12 in it yet as far as I can tell, no new fittings or label. I have an old working freezer which should have R12 in it also that I am junking. Do I dare pump that over to the vette system through a filter? Should be just enough to bring it to where it needs to be. I have the gauges and line tap. I used to work with home cooling and heating. I just hate to convert to the 134A any sooner than I have to.I works very well. You know the saying ," If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Glenn

 

[Im1ru2]

If you're not getting enough airflow over the evaporator coil for whatever reason, it will start to freeze up. It does sound like you are low on refrigerant if your accumulator is freezing up.
fridges usually only have a few ounces of R12 so I don't know if it would have enough pressure to push it into your car's system.

Jamm'in Jeff

 

[tomtom72]

This might be of interest?

Hi All, I think that this owner "how to might" be of interest. Go to ZR1netregistry home page. On left side of page is a menu with "maintenence", click it. Then next page has menu on left with "ZR1 How to", click it and the 4th or 5th item down is a how to of a radiator screen.

This part of the site is open to anyone, no membership required to view. I did this to my 90 Z and it seems to be a very good preventative measure.

Tom