Air conditioning maintenance keeps you cooler when the weather turns warm. If you learn how to clean an AC condenser on a car, you keep the system running its best. In this guide, we show you how to clean the car AC condenser without removing the bumper and show you the value of regular car AC condenser cleaning.
How To Clean A Car AC Condenser (Step by Step Guide)
You are saying – I want to learn how to clean my car AC condenser, but I don’t want to deal without a lot of hassle. That’s understandable. After all, a lot of people tell you that you must remove the bumper for regular car AC condenser cleaning. With some car models, you must follow this step, but it’s not necessary with some. While it does provide the best way to clean the car condenser, you can choose to do it without removing the bumper too.
Here are the only materials you will need.
- Water hose or pressure washer
- Large garbage bag
With your supplies in hand, follow these steps.
- Find the AC condenser. It is normally located at the front of the vehicle, before the radiator.
- Cover up the engine bay wires with a garbage bag. You don’t want these parts getting wet, or you could deal with a short circuit.
- Spray the condenser with a steady stream of water. It’s best to use a pressure washer, especially if there is built-up debris you need to get off.
- Allow the AC condenser the time to completely air dry before driving. There should be no moisture left on the system.
These steps don’t require any mechanical expertise. If you don’t need to remove the bumper, the entire job could take you ten minutes or less.
What Does the Car AC Condenser Do?
Before you learn how to clean a car AC condenser without removing it, you want to know this part’s purpose. The condenser is located near the front of most vehicles, typically in front of the car radiator. Air goes through the condenser, helping to turn the refrigerant gas into a liquid that’s cooler.
Why Do You Need To Clean Your Car’s AC Condenser?
Is there a reason to learn how to clean out a car AC condenser? There’s value in cleaning the outside of the condenser. By learning how to clean the car AC condenser fins, you keep the air conditioning system running efficiently.
Because of the positioning of the AC condenser, debris and contaminants can easily build up over time. Cleaning out this debris ensures that the airflow remains optimal, helping the refrigerant turn into a cooler liquid with ease. The more air the system gets, the cooler the cabin can be.
In severe cases, you might also need to know how to unclog a car AC condenser. GM and Ford are the only two manufacturers that recommend flushing the condenser to ensure efficiency. With other manufacturers, a clog in the condenser could mean replacing the entire assembly instead. The only way to know what’s recommended for your vehicle is to read the service manual or talk to your local service department.
If you regularly clean the outside of the condenser and you take care of the air conditioning system, the part is more likely to give a full service life. Thankfully, it isn’t difficult to learn how to clean your car’s AC condenser.
Related Article – Complete Guide on How To Clean a Car AC
What Happens If The Car AC Condenser Is Dirty?
If you don’t clean the AC condenser coils on a car, debris starts to accumulate. The condenser quickly becomes dirty and even clogged in severe cases. When this occurs, there’s less heat transfer occurring. In fact, the dirty condenser leads to a lot of service appointments.
The condenser needs to take in clean air to lower the temperature of the hot refrigerant. Without a dramatic difference between the ambient temperature coming in and the refrigerant temperature, the Freon cannot turn into a liquid, keeping the cabin of the vehicle from getting the cool air you need.
How Often Should You Clean Your Car AC Condenser?
To keep your air conditioner working the way it should, you can clean down the AC condenser with some water every month. This simple step only takes a few minutes and shouldn’t be overlooked. Additionally, consider changing the cabin air filter every six months to ensure the quality of air coming in is optimal.
Related Article – Guide On How To Clean An RV AC Filter
People Also Ask (FAQ)
How long does a car AC condenser last?
The average automotive condenser lasts eight to ten years when properly maintained. However, if you drive in dirty or dusty conditions and don’t clean it regularly, it could fail prematurely.
How much does it cost for an auto shop to clean the car AC condenser?
If you take your vehicle to a service center to have the AC cleaned, you might spend around $100. However, the professional shop is going to offer more than just a condenser cleaning with this service.
How do you check if the condenser is blocked?
When the condenser is clogged, there will be higher pressure even though the refrigerant levels are normal in the system. You will see higher pressures on both the low and high sides.
Can I drive my car if the condenser is bad?
It isn’t going to harm your vehicle to drive with a bad condenser. However, the air inside the cabin isn’t going to get as cool as it once did, which could be uncomfortable in the summer.
How much does it cost to replace an AC condenser in a car?
Generally, it should cost around $400 to $1,000 to replace an AC condenser in the car. The majority of the cost will be the parts, but the labor could total between $200 and $400, depending on how difficult it is to access.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the best way to clean a car AC condenser, you can change the temperature inside the cabin with ease. Perform this maintenance task regularly to ensure your car is cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise.
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