- This topic has 16 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 6 months ago by
.
-
Topic
-
-
Replies
-
hi eric,great vid.i work in a chrome plating shop and sodium hydroxide is the main chemical used to strip chrome when mixed with alkaline n water,so it might have a bad result to say,,decorative chrome grills n bumpers.cya july 19th.
joel burke
[quote=”joelburke37″ post=100763]hi eric,great vid.i work in a chrome plating shop and sodium hydroxide is the main chemical used to strip chrome when mixed with alkaline n water,so it might have a bad result to say,,decorative chrome grills n bumpers.cya july 19th.
joel burke[/quote]
Thanks for that info. That will defiantly be helpful to those with chrome bumpers.
Two things.
1. I wish car makers would put a “debris labyrinth” in front of the condenser to allow air flow but not “stone flow”!
2. 60 psi is impressive. Did you make sure that absolutely all the water was out of the condenser fins. The fins will hold a lot of water by capillary forces. If water was present, you now have a liquid to liquid exchanger rather than liquid to air. The high heat capacity and evaporative cooling of water changes the system performance enormously.
so i just watched the video. and its got me thinking about my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. it gets somewhat cold but I don’t think its running as cold as it should. now would I be able to get a set of gauges and do the check like you did and clean the condenser and check again even though I have never had any AC experience with vehicles?
I try to do this once every year or two with my home condenser. Not as often with the vehicles, although should likely be done before it’s used in the spring every year.
I’d say you can use decent pressure, just has to be from the opposite side, so you’re forcing the bits of larger dirt/debris back out the same way instead of wedging it in further. Obviously not so high a pressure that you can bend the fins further. The metal fin straighteners seem to work the best IMO.
[quote=”Rereonehundred” post=100869]Two things.
1. I wish car makers would put a “debris labyrinth” in front of the condenser to allow air flow but not “stone flow”!
2. 60 psi is impressive. Did you make sure that absolutely all the water was out of the condenser fins. The fins will hold a lot of water by capillary forces. If water was present, you now have a liquid to liquid exchanger rather than liquid to air. The high heat capacity and evaporative cooling of water changes the system performance enormously.[/quote]
It was dry when I did the second test and if it wasn’t I’m sure whatever was left evaporated quickly. I stand by the results.
[quote=”averagediyer” post=100872]so i just watched the video. and its got me thinking about my 2006 Nissan Pathfinder. it gets somewhat cold but I don’t think its running as cold as it should. now would I be able to get a set of gauges and do the check like you did and clean the condenser and check again even though I have never had any AC experience with vehicles?[/quote]
That’s difficult to say. Theoretically yes, but understanding what you’re reading on the gauges takes education and experience. More info here.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/solving-automotive-hvac-problems
[quote=”Wayne613″ post=100922]I try to do this once every year or two with my home condenser. Not as often with the vehicles, although should likely be done before it’s used in the spring every year.
I’d say you can use decent pressure, just has to be from the opposite side, so you’re forcing the bits of larger dirt/debris back out the same way instead of wedging it in further. Obviously not so high a pressure that you can bend the fins further. The metal fin straighteners seem to work the best IMO.[/quote]
Not so easy to access the back of the condenser since the radiator is in the way.
I think it would be a great idea to you get the condenser nice and clean. better airflow plus keeps temperature of the compressor lower so doesn’t have to work as hard. I would always clean my condenser coil with just a old tooth brush and that’s it. cleaning the condenser with the cleaner is way better then with a brush. have to buy some of that cleaner
[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=100926]
Not so easy to access the back of the condenser since the radiator is in the way.[/quote]Why I usually don’t bother til say a coolant flush/fill is in order, can just yank the radiator out once drained. 2 birds and all.. Overkill though on any regular basis, but on a 10yr old vehicle, likely worthwhile.
Great video again Eric. 60psi is very impressive. I would have been impressed by a 20 psi drop in pressure.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.