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togwt
07-26-2011, 06:56 AM
Legionnaire’s disease is rare but it kills people and it`s an extremely unpleasant disease. It does not spread from person to person but is present in water environments and is breathed in when it gets into the air in fine particles or mist. This is a bug which lives in the environment and will take advantage of any static warm water systems that are not cleaned out.



[Every time you use your air conditioner, you are providing an opportunity for odor causing mould, mildew and bacteria to grow within your air conditioning system. To explain how this happens we must understand how the air conditioner system works. Here’s a basic explanation. When the air conditioner is on, it pulls moisture out of your car’s interior through a unit called the evaporator core, which is located underneath your car’s dashboard. When the humidity (moisture) levels drop, the air temperature also drops. The moisture that is pulled from the air condenses and is drained outside the car.



Ever notice a pool of water under your parked car on a hot summer day? That’s the water that was drained from the system. This also happens to be the way home air conditioners and refrigerators work.



Even though most of the moisture is drained from the car, moisture still remains on the evaporator core system. As the air circulates around the evaporator core, dust and pollen in the air stick to the moisture on the metal fins of the evaporator. Soon thereafter mildew and bacteria begin to grow on the surface of the evaporator. This collection of grime and odour causing agents begin to release odour and is the cause of the smell coming out of your vents.



One way to help prevent or at least reduce this issue is to keep the air conditioner on the fresh air setting. This keeps fresh air circulating around the evaporator which helps keep it and the surrounding area dry thereby reducing the chance of any mould, mildew and bacteria from growing. However, there are two disadvantages to this method. First, it’s also not always convenient to switch to the fresh air setting in order to draw in hotter air to dry out the system. It just might be too hot or cold to be worth this extra effort. It’s also not economical.



Second, allowing fresh air to flow in increases the accumulation of dust, pollen and brake dust build up. Of course if you have a cabin air filter you don’t have to worry about that since it will trap the pollutants before it reaches the evaporator area.



Another possible solution is to spray a disinfectant like Lysol® into the ventilation system or have your car treated with ozone or other similar system. However, this process does not affect any dust, pollen and other contaminants that have accumulated on the evaporator. While it may disinfect any mould, mildew and bacteria, the results are usually short term.] Clearing the Air, by Michael Mankarious





Always check the following; a/c condensate pan and drain pipe smells and odours, for ac odours use 1z Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioning Cleaner or Wurth A/C & Heating System Cleaner, an effective means for removing odour-causing bacteria, smoke fumes, fungi and other germs. It effectively disinfects mould, mildew and bacteria on the evaporator core. It also applies a thin layer of protectant that has been proven in laboratory tests which makes the growth of contaminants more difficult so the results are long lasting. The effective foam solution emulsifies the debris build up on the evaporator core so it’s cleaner and will run more efficiently.



The effective foam solution emulsifies the debris build up on the evaporator core so it’s cleaner and will run more efficiently. Apply product through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle. As the mfg warns that electronics can be damaged if applied improperly; while applying the product through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle seems to avoid this risk.

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Application



• Turn off ignition, air conditioning and fan system and adjust fan position to recirculation and make sure it is NOT on the `foot` or `defrost` position.

• Shake can well for one minute to ensure proper foaming of product when dispensed.

• Attach the supplied spray tube to aerosol can and insert end of tube into centre (as this is the closest the evaporator core) air conditioner vent located on the dash in the cockpit interior.

• With tube fully inserted in vent, press trigger to dispense contents.

• DO NOT invert can when dispensing. As you spray, the thick foam solution will travel through the air vents towards the evaporator (the source of odour causing elements).

• After dispensing product, wait 20 minutes for product to clean the system. Then, open doors to allow fresh air to enter vehicle.

• Turn on fan to maximum setting with A/C setting in ON for approximately 1 minute to dry system. as a result of improper application



Option 1: Apply Klima-Cleaner tube through the evacuation/drain tube of the evaporator core located underneath the vehicle.



Option 2: Remove blower and insert tube through main ducting of housing.



Another significant benefit is the result of cleaner interior air. This is especially important for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to airborne contaminants. For those who are highly sensitive to chemicals, rest assured that Klima-Cleaner is a water- and salt-based cleaner so chances of any skin reaction is extremely minimal.



Tip- turn off the AC but leave the fan running for the last minute or two before turning off the ignition to help dry the condenser and surrounding area. Change cabin air filter



The EVAPOmat® atomises cleaning and odour eliminating active substances with the aid of three ultrasonic cells. The active substance mist is blown out of the EVAPOmat® by a fan. The fine vapour is distributed in the entire ventilation duct or in the vehicle interior by the supplied application hose and is deposited on the evaporator surface or on the textiles and reliably eliminates unpleasant odours caused by bacteria and fungi. After approx. 15 min. the mist spray is switched off, however the fan continues to run for at least another 5 minutes to cool down the cells.

Angelaaa81
08-26-2011, 03:39 AM
However, these air conditioners can fail without warning. There are some common air conditioner problems that occur over time.



edited to remove url

Ch96067
08-26-2011, 04:45 AM
Useful stuff TOGWT. Thanks.

togwt
08-26-2011, 07:09 AM
It`s also a profitable `add-on` service -AC system cleaning and cabin air filter replacement US $100-$125

wascallyrabbit
08-26-2011, 10:53 AM
ozone will kill odor and a high enough concentration it will kill mold and mildew.

Brad B
08-28-2011, 05:50 PM
It is also an easy process to run a wire `fish` (used by plumbers) through the A/C vents. Run the fish from one vent to another. Attach a small rag or wipe soaked in alchohol and pull it through. Never underestimate the efficiency of mechanically removing dirt/mold/dust/mildew from the system.

Automater0908
08-29-2011, 11:00 PM
It is also an easy process to run a wire `fish` (used by plumbers) through the A/C vents. Run the fish from one vent to another. Attach a small rag or wipe soaked in alchohol and pull it through. Never hid blue headlights ( http://motorfiend.com/30000k-xenon-single-beam-extreme-blue-p-670.html ) the efficiency of mechanically removing dirt/mold/dust/mildew from the system.



Have you tried this and have a good outcome? Like are you certain that soaking it in alcohol can actually kill all the moulding or would it just kill a large margin? Also where can you purchase a "fish"?