DIY chemical treat air conditioner

[hollywoodperth]

Well I just picked up an 07 Astra last week from a dealer.

(My fault) I didn't try the air con and I realised later it stunk like something had died in there (or was slowly decaying in there still).

Wasn't the vents in general, just the a/c.

Anyway, did some net research and learnt that it would be from bacteria growing inside the a/c evaporator core.

Rang a number of people and they all agreed it needed a chemical 'flush'. I rang the Holden dealership they would do the chemical treatment free of charge since I only just bought it. Nice of them.

Problem is they did a piss poor job and it still stinks. F-heads. I cannot be fagged taking it all the way back to the dealership as it is bloody ages away and I'm pretty fkin dirty at them by this stage. (Other things as well).

Has any one done it themselves?

I'm pretty sure you just tip some kind of chemical down the a/c intake vents. Not sure what type of chemical though?

Help guys?

[Hi Octane]

I have used this stuff, & many products with not much success, they all claim that there product will kill the smell & bacteria but none of them seem to, Only a masking treatment, I even had a ozone generator ran thru it & it still smells.

IMO the only way to do it is to remove & clean, Big job.
If anyone has any recommendations im keen to hear also.

BMW do make a good one that has seemed the best so far.

[Desertws6]

Stinky A/C :yup: you can fix it yourself, rather simple job.

First Question.
Do you have Lysol bathroom spray that kills germs in AU., we do here in the States. Lysol comes in an aerosol can and kills germs and viruses.

1. Locate exterior air inlet in cowl at base of windscreen.
2. Turn A/C on full blast drawing fresh air in from exterior.
3. Check to see if external air is being drawn in at cowl, simple hand check is fine.
4. Spray Lysol directly into air intake for 30 seconds. (Make sure no one is sitting in the car)
5. Switch to recirculate on A/C setting.
6. Spray Lysol into recirculate intake under dash.
7. Repeat steps #4 & 6 until odor is gone.
Note: If your car is fitted with a cabin air filter, remove air filter prior to doing this. Replace with new filter after completion.


http://www.lysol.com/products/img/products/LG_disinf_spray.jpg

Be sure to read this link: http://www.lysol.com/products/disinfecting-sprays/lds-disinfectant-sprays/

No need for fancy cleaners, the spray is cheap and found at the local market.

Cheers,
Steve

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysol

[WOMBIE]

I was only talking to a neighbour two nights ago about this very thing happening with her vy and now I have an answer for a possible fix........very informative post Steve and so thank you very much mate :)


:cheers:

Daz

[Mad Dog]

Remember reading on this forum somewhere Glen20 does the trick also.

[hollywoodperth]

As far as I can tell Lysol is not available in Australia.

I am going to try Oust 3 in 1.

Also is an antibacterial/antivirus aerosol and should hopefully do the same thing.

I will post any results.

I have read other purpose-built car a/c sprays include a thin tube to push down the air intake to get the spray closer to the a/c core.

I might see if I can make up something to do similar.

Any one have any experience here?

Any one know where the closed-vent air intake is on an 07 astra? I'm assuming under the glovebox but better directions will be appreciated.

has any one tried the Fortron aerosol treatment?

http://www.fortron.com.au/pages/fat/pds/Air%20Conditioning%20Treatment%20(Aerosol).pdf

Any success?

[Hi Octane]

^^ Had a demo on my Mrs Viva (dont shoot me cheap car made over 2k on sale) & it worked for about a week. The shit they give you after to spray in the car stinks worse than the bacteria.

[Rub]

what about Glen 20?

[Desertws6]

As far as I can tell Lysol is not available in Australia.

I am going to try Oust 3 in 1.

I have read other purpose-built car a/c sprays include a thin tube to push down the air intake to get the spray closer to the a/c core.



I think the Oust 3 in 1 should do the same thing.

If you want to spray closer, remove the cowl cover. I usually spray right through it with the fan speed on high and wipe the excess off with a towel.

,Steve

P.S Your very welcome Daz. ;)

[WOMBIE]

Remember reading on this forum somewhere Glen20 does the trick also.

Yep given that Lysol isn't available in Oz then that's what I was thinking as it works in the house so it would stand to reason it may work in her situation :)

[Hi Octane]

Just saw, the dealer did a flush that was prolly fortron as most stealerships use them.

[hollywoodperth]

Hi-Octane: what were the results of the dealer's flush?

mine has improved it, but only to a more-bearable level. still smells.

is it easy to remove the cowl?

[LSavvy]

Australian LS1 and Holden Forums - View Single Post - Air Con .....Deoderizing (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1373682&postcount=4)

Spray this stuff in if your not going to use the car over the weekend as the smell is strong but effective.

[Peter B - CV8]

Once you've got rid of the smell try & remember to turn your air con off (& select fresh air - instead of recirc) for the last couple of hundred meters of your trip. This will help keep bacteria growth minimal.

[hollywoodperth]

LSavvy:

Any idea where to buy that stuff?

[Hi Octane]

Hi-Octane: what were the results of the dealer's flush?

mine has improved it, but only to a more-bearable level. still smells.

is it easy to remove the cowl?


Was the fortron treatment, was a demo in my workshop, worked for about a week my Mrs said altho i could smell it the next day, It was really just a making agent IMO..

The bacteria can grow real bad, we had a patroll in that would not blow the fan thru @ any speed.

[hollywoodperth]

Just trying spraying Oust into the bonnet vents.

Couldn't remove the cowl without getting the tools out so I just did the best I could. Sprayed a good 1/2 a can in there.

Still stinks like sh*t.

Got fed up and turned it all off and sprayed a 1/3 of a can into the car vents where the air blows out. :vpo: Lets see how that goes.

Couldn't really find the internal vent intake when the a/c is in recirc mode.

Turned it up full bore and stuck my hand/head around the area below the glovebox and steering wheel and was some reallll minor air movement, definately not equivalent of the jet stream blowing out the top vents. Tried spraying around the bottom of the glovebox anyway.... just got the f&*&^ng carpet soaking wet.

[APCLB]

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1373682&postcount=4

Spray this stuff in if your not going to use the car over the weekend as the smell is strong but effective.

We use this stuff in the machines at work after they come back in from hire.Some operators are real pigs,which I dont understand as your spending 8-12 hours a day in the cab,why wouldn't you apply abit of house keeping......
Anyways,it seems to be working so far.

[hollywoodperth]

Alright.........

just let it sit for 10 - 15 mins, then "flushed" it out by alternating the a/c on, the heater on, heater+a/c, etc, for a good 10 mins.

Left it another 5-10 mins then sat in it and put it on a/c max to see.

After about 45 seconds a faint hint of the smell returned.

Not sure if I have masked the smell or actually done something good.

[xshore]

I checked the msds for wurth and it uses benzalkonium chloride as the main active & alcohol to a lesser extent to kill bacteria, fungi etc. My guess is it will work better then oust for air cons. I'd try and stay away from products with strong fragrances as they'll destroy the plastic parts. These products wont work straight away, it will take time for the bacteria to dye and clear away. I'd give the wurth a go and use twice a week for 2 weeks or more :)

[Ghia351]

The safest and most commonly used ingredient in disinfectants/sanitizers is a compound called Quaternary ammonium chlorides or Benzalkonium chloride. (nickname: Quat) Most commercial/industrial products use this as their main active constituent and you will see it used in many of the disinfectants on the supermarket shelves. Try an automotive detailer supplier, that is a company which supplies detailers and see if they have a product based on this active. Maybe even the Wurth product linked above uses it as well.

Edit just found the msds for the Wurth product
http://www.wurth.com.au/msds/0893_764_100.htm
and it does list this ingredient in its composition: Section 3. (benzyl C8- 18 alkyldimethylammonium chloride 63449-41-2 <0.1^. which is the same compound)
Based on this it should do the job although it is a low concentration.

xshore just beat me to it....are you an ind chemist as well?

[xshore]

yeh but I work on mostly therapeutic & cosmetic/ personal care these days :) love it

[Ghia351]

yeh but I work on mostly therapeutic & cosmetic/ personal care these days :) love it

...ahh the money end, lol.

[hollywoodperth]

thanks xshore.

what is the best way to apply it?

[Big123]

The Wurth Stuff works the best .

But it costs $20 a Can and you need 1 can per car .
Wurth will only sell it in 3 cans per customer too .

I bought 3 cans last year , Still have 1 spare for the future ..

[hollywoodperth]

big123:

where did you buy it through?

how long did it work for?

how did you apply it?

[LSavvy]

Speak to any workshop that uses Wurth products, you might have to speak to Wurth in WA to see if they can help with a contact if no LS1ers over there can help you, maybe one of the sponsors.

http://www.wurth.com.au/wcontact.asp

If you can't find any send me a pm.


Just trying spraying Oust into the bonnet vents.

Couldn't remove the cowl without getting the tools out so I just did the best I could. Sprayed a good 1/2 a can in there.

Still stinks like sh*t.

Got fed up and turned it all off and sprayed a 1/3 of a can into the car vents where the air blows out. :vpo: Lets see how that goes.

Couldn't really find the internal vent intake when the a/c is in recirc mode.

Turned it up full bore and stuck my hand/head around the area below the glovebox and steering wheel and was some reallll minor air movement, definately not equivalent of the jet stream blowing out the top vents. Tried spraying around the bottom of the glovebox anyway.... just got the f&*&^ng carpet soaking wet.

The fragrance products are there to mask a smell not fix the bacteria problem.

On passenger side when in recirc mode look behind the glove box in the footwell, (remove glove box and plastic panel above footwell) if you have a tissue it might lead you there.


When trying to flush your A/C run it on cold and on low fan speed in recirc mode this is the coldest it will get and promote more "water" for flushing. Ensure that the condensation is dripping out the bottom of the car if it is not this could be the cause of your problem. If your a smoker while having a smoke you should put you A/C in fresh air mode and open the window so that the fumes are blown out the window by the air drawn in from outside. smoking in recirc mode and the windows closed is plain stupid!


The Wurth Stuff works the best .

But it costs $20 a Can and you need 1 can per car .
Wurth will only sell it in 3 cans per customer too .

I bought 3 cans last year , Still have 1 spare for the future ..

It's not cheap, but its alot cheaper than letting a dealer doing it for you.

Do it every 12-18mth and this ensures your A/C stays fresh.


Just trying spraying Oust into the bonnet vents.

Couldn't remove the cowl without getting the tools out so I just did the best I could. Sprayed a good 1/2 a can in there.

Still stinks like sh*t.

Got fed up and turned it all off and sprayed a 1/3 of a can into the car vents where the air blows out. :vpo: Lets see how that goes.

Couldn't really find the internal vent intake when the a/c is in recirc mode.

Turned it up full bore and stuck my hand/head around the area below the glovebox and steering wheel and was some reallll minor air movement, definately not equivalent of the jet stream blowing out the top vents. Tried spraying around the bottom of the glovebox anyway.... just got the f&*&^ng carpet soaking wet.

The fragrance products are there to mask a smell not fix the bacteria problem.

On passenger side when in recirc mode look behind the glove box in the footwell, (remove glove box and plastic panel above footwell) if you have a tissue it might lead you there.


When trying to flush your A/C run it on cold and on low fan speed in recirc mode this is the coldest it will get and promote more "water" for flushing. Ensure that the condensation is dripping out the bottom of the car if it is not this could be the cause of your problem. If your a smoker while having a smoke you should put you A/C in fresh air mode and open the window so that the fumes are blown out the window by the air drawn in from outside. smoking in recirc mode and the windows closed is plain stupid!

[HSVGTS215i]

The stuff the dealers use (well what they used at both dealers ive worked at) is an aerosol can that you put in the passenger foot well aimed at the recirc intake. When you depress the button it stays on till the can is empty. You have the fan on and recirc on and it circulates the stuff through the evaporator and vents.

http://www.fortron.com.au/pages/fat/products/airtek.html

Prior to doing this youre supposed to run an ozone machine in the car for half an hour or so to kill any bacteria.

Final step is the car deodorizer spray.

Cant see why a normal spray mentioned above wouldnt work though, cant hurt to try!

[hollywoodperth]

Ok, well did the Oust treatment on Thursday with mixed feelings.

Drove over 500km over the weekend... so here are the results:

a/c smell is gone
vents open with no a/c = slight smell (but goes away)

so all up looks like I may have done some good.

will keep plugging away with it

[Hi Octane]

The stuff the dealers use (well what they used at both dealers ive worked at) is an aerosol can that you put in the passenger foot well aimed at the recirc intake. When you depress the button it stays on till the can is empty. You have the fan on and recirc on and it circulates the stuff through the evaporator and vents.

http://www.fortron.com.au/pages/fat/products/airtek.html

Prior to doing this youre supposed to run an ozone machine in the car for half an hour or so to kill any bacteria.

Final step is the car deodorizer spray.

Cant see why a normal spray mentioned above wouldnt work though, cant hurt to try!


The ozone generator did jack all to the Mrs car.

[Desertws6]

Ok, well did the Oust treatment on Thursday with mixed feelings.

Drove over 500km over the weekend... so here are the results:

a/c smell is gone
vents open with no a/c = slight smell (but goes away)

so all up looks like I may have done some good.

will keep plugging away with it

Sounds like progress!

It would be a good idea to do some more treatments to be certain that it's all gone and cleared up. :good job:

Cheers,
Steve