Community Forums

Wingbl · 08-10-2015, 07:23 PM

I have a 2009 Fleetwood Discovery 40X. My AC units are not performing as well as they should. I noticed after removing the inside dust screen, that the coils need to be cleaned. I'm wondering if anyone knows how to do this without getting water everywhere. Do I flush them from the inside or outside? It looks like mostly dust, and not algae. Thanks, Bobby

alank · 08-10-2015, 07:41 PM

If it looks mostly like dust, I would use a vacuum and bristle brush end. Move only in the direction if the fins gently. If the inside is dirty, the outside is too.

Davdeb1 · 08-10-2015, 07:54 PM

Use air pressure from a compressor if you can, if not clean from inside to outside.

jacwjames · 08-10-2015, 08:26 PM

I use a vacuum with a long nozzle and brush on the end to try and get as much as possible. I do this a couple time a year.

Last year I had to replace a blower motor on my front AC and while I had the shroud off and sheet metal peeled back I took a compressed air line and blew it out from the top, blowing the dirt into the inside. I took some rags and placed them on top of the AC vent where the filter goes to catch the dirt.

The front AC cools better then the back one now.

Gadget Man · 08-10-2015, 08:52 PM

I just did my Coleman Mach A/C's for the very first time. I went up to the roof and pulled off the covers. I straightened some bent air exchange fins with a flat blade screwdriver. I soaked the rear of the air exchange grill (other side was inaccessible) with a non-corrosive cleaner (I used diluted Simple Green Pro HD) and rinsed with a garden hose. The unit was sealed, so no water got inside. I then went inside and pulled off the air intake grills and washed them. I used a soft brush attachment on our upright vacuum extension and cleaned the inside air exchanges, being careful not to bend any fins. I replaced the filters with new media and buttoned everything back up. Huge difference.

Good luck!

Craig

Wingbl · 08-11-2015, 05:27 AM

Thanks everyone!

vettenuts · 08-11-2015, 06:43 AM

You can buy a coil cleaner at Home Depot. I did mine from the roof.

wa8yxm · 08-11-2015, 08:54 AM

I would vacuum as well.. At least the first attempt Then brush into the vacuum inlet.

Finally A suggestion.. There are TWO sets of coils. the ones you looked at from INSIDE.. and the ones OUTSIDE you have to go up on the roof for that. Remove the outer cover (Shroud) and at least one inner cover.

you need not vacuum there .. I have used both water (Messy) and compressed air (Worked much better) and it made a **BIG** difference.

Also take a bucket, garden hose, long handled van wash brush (Soft bristle) or Mop, and some Spic & span up with you.

Yup.. Mop the "Floor" (Roof) and rinse.. Then wash the sides of the RV and see how well you "Clean up" on inproved A/C performance.

Wingbl · 08-12-2015, 04:38 PM

Great info wa8yxm, thanks!

NeilV · 08-13-2015, 11:19 AM

Vacuum with a soft brush and then use self rinsing foaming coil cleaner. Get it cold and then turn it of and spray the coils with the foam and it will take the remaining dirt with it down the condensate drain.

Denniscw · 08-13-2015, 12:53 PM

If you bend the fins you can purchase a fin comb at any A/C parts store. They come with an assortment of tips for different fin spacings.

Gadget Man · 08-13-2015, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denniscw

If you bend the fins you can purchase a fin comb at any A/C parts store. They come with an assortment of tips for different fin spacings.

I should have tried an HVAC store as you suggested. I bought a multi size fin comb at Harbor Freight. None of the combs fit the size of my coils. I found a video on YouTube, where a guy used a stiff scrub brush on his house A/C coils to straighten out the fins. I tried that and it worked rather well. There were a couple of spots where it required more work so I used a screwdriver to finish them off.

Clay L · 08-14-2015, 02:02 PM

When I did mine I went topside, took the shroud off the AC and the sheet metal that covers the evaporator coils off and cleaned them. It might have possible to do it from inside but I had to use the cleaner recommended by Coleman and a water hose to get it clean.

There were a lot of sheet metal screws on the piece that covers the coils.