Cleaning the coils of a Coleman Mach 3 air conditioner

kartvines · 05-22-2011, 12:21 PM

Today I attempted to clean the coils of my 2 Coleman Mach 3 air conditioners. At first I thought I was only cleaning the fins of the condenser, but in reading a on-line sheet it said to remove the sheet metal section and clean the coils underneath, I removed all of the screws and the sheet metal cover would not budge, and I did not want to force it, not wanting to damage it, so I need more information. The cover that opens the outside to the inside, is there coils in there and if so do they need cleaning, then if there is and they do, how do you remove the cover. Not knowing all what may have been held under this cover with screws I did not want to risk removing every screw I could find would dislodge something that I would not be able to reconnect without removing this cover.

So I need more information from someone who has performed this cleaning and can you please provide me with more information on what screws need to be removed and then how to remove this sheet metal cover without damaging it.

The last thing I want is to screw it up to the point I now would have to pay somebody to repair.

melvonnar · 05-22-2011, 12:29 PM

If it isn't broke; I keep fixing it till it is.

buck62 · 05-22-2011, 12:42 PM

Normally to clean the coils all you do is remove the shroud on top and expose the coils (fins) and straighten any bent ones and clean any dirt away. If you are talking about inside where the filter is located I just use a vacumn cleaner and vacumn out the area and ducts whenever I replace my air conditioner filter. One of the RV magazines just had an article on how to clean roof top air conditioners, I forget which one.

ralper · 05-22-2011, 01:15 PM

The condensing coils (outdoor ones) are usually what needs cleaning as whatever is in the air while the unit is running passes over this coil. A good squirt with a water hose with nozzel will do the trick.

TXiceman · 05-22-2011, 07:41 PM

My experience is the the evaporator coils are more likely to need cleaning than the condenser coils. On the condenser, straighten any bent fins and flush with water.

For the interior coil, there a lot of screws to remove. make sure yo got them all. The gasket on the cover is probably old and stuck to the cover, so it can be a bear to remove. Use a putty knife to work under the edge.

Ken

Clay L · 05-24-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman

My experience is the the evaporator coils are more likely to need cleaning than the condenser coils. On the condenser, straighten any bent fins and flush with water.
SNIP

Ken

Exactly right.
I had to clean mine last year. I removed all the screws along the edge of the plenum. I also recall having to remove a few more on the front.

**"007"** · 05-24-2011, 09:57 PM

Its not your AC unit but does show how to clean the evaporator.
Scroll up or down to get AC unit.

kartvines · 05-25-2011, 05:45 AM

Thank you for the information I will review it

Ray,IN · 05-29-2011, 08:51 PM

You may buy a spray can of coil cleaner at any hardware store. It is simply a strong detergent, but works as claimed when used as directed. To rinse the coils I use a garden sprayer with clear water. It reduces the chance of getting water into the RV. A strong stream of air or water can bend the coil fins. If you have bent fins, a "fin comb" is also available at the hardware store.