Even budget car models today are equipped with air conditioning. Like any other component, the air conditioning system requires regular maintenance and diagnostics. And one of the integral stages of maintenance is cleaning the system. What is Step Up car air conditioning cleaner and what disadvantages are typical for it? Read about it below.
When should you clean your car air conditioner?
The need to clean the car air conditioner may arise in the following cases:
- when an unpleasant odor appears in the cabin;
- if the unit cannot operate at full capacity;
- if an uncharacteristic noise appears when the air conditioner is activated.
Regular use of the air conditioner without cleaning can lead to its failure in the future. Therefore, every car owner should clean the system from time to time.
Several types of tools can be used to perform this procedure:
- aerosol;
- foam;
- smoke bombs.
Review of Step Up air conditioning cleaners
American-made product Step Up SP5152 is designed to remove harmful bacteria and microorganisms from the air conditioning system. Products are sold in packages of 510 grams. To use Step Up, the car owner does not need to disassemble the air conditioner, so the task can be completed in a garage. The packaging itself contains detailed operating instructions.
The cleaning procedure itself is carried out by injecting the product into the drainage line, which allows you to clean the channels of the unit, as well as remove unpleasant odors. After use, a disinfectant film is formed on the evaporation device, which prevents the growth of bacteria and the accumulation of dirt on the mechanism. If the procedure is carried out successfully, the car owner will immediately feel the clean air entering the car’s interior. According to the manufacturer, using Step Up at least once a year will save the car owner from possible problems in the operation of the air conditioner.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's start with the advantages of the product:
- really removes unpleasant odors;
- allows you to clear non-critically clogged lines;
- easy to use;
- It works for a long time after use.
As consumer reviews show, the effectiveness of this product is really high. However, the disadvantages include inadequate cleaning, that is, the product is more relevant for removing bacteria from the evaporation device. If you want to clean the unit more effectively, then you need to replace the cabin filter (the author of the video is the My Renault Symbol channel).
Cleaning and refilling air conditioners
Files and links:
- Car Air Conditioning Cleaning Products
- Presentation
- Presentation Pure Movement
- Ultrasonic cleaning of air conditioners Klimareiniger Ultrasonic
- Instructions for ultrasonic cleaning of air conditioner
When operating a car or household air conditioner, water condensation inevitably forms on the evaporator. Most car owners do not know or violate the rules for handling car air conditioning. The fact is that according to the instructions, a couple of minutes before turning off the engine, you are supposed to dry the air conditioner evaporator by turning on the system for heating at maximum fan speed.
Not everyone does this simple operation, and on cars with climate control this is completely impossible. The logical result is that in conditions of constant humidity, bacteria and fungi multiply. The minimum harm from such a “life” is a putrid smell. At the most, it is possible to get pulmonary diseases or chronic colds. Liqui Moly GmbH offers both professional and custom antibacterial cleaning technologies for air conditioners for any occasion.
Liquid cleaning.
Efficiency: the technology is applicable in cases of the most severe pollution. The effect of the drugs is prolonged for up to a year. Requires partial disassembly of interior elements; work time is 20 minutes.
Necessary tools and accessories: Air conditioner cleaner gun with spray probe Klima Anlagen Reinigungspistole, article number 4090, pneumatic line or compressor. A set of tools, possibly a car lift.
Sequence of actions: Determine the design of the car, that is, understand how to provide optimal access to the air conditioner evaporator. Possible options:
- Access through a drain pipe that removes condensate from the evaporator. If the drainage tube is easily accessible and has a large diameter, then the most convenient way is to clean the evaporator through it.
- Access through the cabin filter cavity. In this case, it is necessary to remove the cabin filter.
- Access through the air intake from under the hood. It may also require removal of the cabin filter.
- Access through the heater fan hole. The fan and cabin filter also need to be removed.
General cleaning instructions:
- Dry the air conditioner evaporator from condensation by turning on the interior heating at full power for 2-5 minutes.
- Provide access to the evaporator, in detail how to proceed, with different car models, see on the German website from the drop-down list https://www.liqui-moly.de/liquimoly/web.nsf/ {amp}gt;
Ultrasonic cleaning.
Efficiency: bacteria and fungi are eliminated not only in the air conditioning system, but throughout the entire vehicle interior. The interior is deodorized. The effect of the drug is prolonged for up to six months. The entire procedure takes a maximum of 20 minutes, no disassembly of interior elements is required.
Read more: Review and rating of parking sensors for reliability, how to choose the right device, reviews from owners
Necessary tools and devices: Apparatus for ultrasonic spraying of the drug, 220 V network. Sequence of actions: Determine the design of the car, that is, find a place in the cabin for intake of recirculation air. In most cases, in the front passenger's feet. General cleaning instructions:
- Place the ultrasonic atomization device in the passenger compartment, in the area where the recirculation air is taken in (at the front passenger’s feet), connect the device to a 220V network.
- Fill the device container with Klimareiniger ULTRASONIC cleaner, article number 4079.
- On the installation, select the volume of the sprayed product to be 100 ml.
- Start the engine and turn on the air conditioner in recirculation mode. If there is climate control, set the temperature approximately equal to the ambient temperature.
- Turn on the sprayer, get out of the car and close the windows and doors tightly. Spraying continues on its own for approximately 10-15 minutes.
- At the end of spraying (steam stops coming from the installation tube), the installation turns off automatically. Next, turn off the unit from the network and remove it from the cabin.
Attention: When performing this work, we recommend using an ultrasonic spraying device Purezone Machine, Italian company Errecom. You can learn more about the device at https://www.errecom.it/RUS/prodotti_dett.asp? {amp}gt;
Aerosol cleaning with Klima Fresh
Efficiency: bacteria and fungi are eliminated not only in the air conditioning system, but throughout the entire vehicle interior. The interior is deodorized. The effect of the drug is prolonged for a period of 3 months to six months. The entire procedure takes a maximum of 15 minutes, no disassembly of interior elements is required.
Required tools and equipment: none needed. Sequence of actions: Determine the design of the car, that is, find a place in the cabin for intake of recirculation air. In most cases, in the front passenger's feet.
- Place the jar with the drug at an angle, using the bottle box with an oval hole, orienting the bottle towards the recirculation air intake area.
- Start the engine and turn on the air conditioner in recirculation mode. If there is climate control, set the temperature approximately equal to the ambient temperature.
- Press the drug spray button until it locks, then spraying occurs independently. Get out of the car, closing the windows and doors.
- Spraying continues for 5-10 minutes; after spraying is completed, the interior must be ventilated. Attention: no smoking! Aerosol is flammable!
Training video on refilling the air conditioner
Characteristics of Liqui Moly air conditioner cleaners
The next cleaner, Liqui Moly, is made in the form of an aerosol; its primary purpose is to dehydrate hoses. One of the main elements of the composition is a solution of bronopol, which allows you to rid the system’s channels of fungal infections. According to the manufacturer, to obtain a greater effect, the air ducts and the evaporation mechanism should also be treated with the cleaner.
The usage process is as follows:
- First you need to start the engine and open the car doors;
- then the condenser should be activated to minimum power;
- after this, the cabin filter element is dismantled, part of the Liqui Moly is applied to the evaporation device, and about half is applied to the air blowers;
- then the condenser turns off, you need to wait about 10 minutes, during which time Luqui Moly will begin to act;
- the engine starts and the heater turns on.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of Luqui Moly:
- allows you to get rid of unpleasant odors, including cigarette smoke;
- removes microbes of fungus and mold;
- forms a protective layer to prevent bacteria from settling and accumulating on the evaporator;
- effectively cleans system lines;
- According to the manufacturer, the cleaner also helps protect the driver’s body from lung and cold infections.
Among the disadvantages, one can highlight the rather high cost (the author of the video is the pavel5589 channel).
Characteristics of Plak air conditioning cleaners
Plak cleaning product can be used in any air conditioning system, regardless of the car model. Plak contains a special detergent that allows you to effectively remove harmful microorganisms that contribute to the appearance of a damp smell in the cabin.
How to use Plak correctly:
- First you need to turn off the engine;
- then the hood is opened and the filter installed on the air duct is removed;
- take the can, shake it, and then install the tube into the ventilation hole;
- Plak should be sprayed for ten seconds;
- wait about 10 minutes, during which time the foam will settle and begin to come out;
- if black-green dirt comes out, then the procedure is repeated until the liquid that comes out of the system acquires a lighter shade;
- at the final stage, you need to turn on the heater to maximum and let it run for about 2-3 minutes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Let's start with the advantages:
- Plak effectively removes fungal bacteria as well as mold;
- high-quality cleaning of the air flow entering the cabin;
- effective cleaning of air conditioning system channels from dirt;
- the product gives the air a more pleasant, menthol smell;
- ease of use.
As for the disadvantages of Plak, the use of this product implies the mandatory replacement of the air filter element after use.
Price issue
1. Step Up product for car air conditioning (price - about 520 rubles)
2. Liqui Moly Klima Anlagen Reiniger 250 ml can (price - about 930 rubles)
3. Plak can of Conifers (price - on average 275 rubles)
4. Conditioner cleaner Plak Ocean 500 ml (price - up to 500 rubles)
Air conditioner freshener Klima Fresh Plus
Liqui Moly Klima Fresh is an aerosol air conditioner freshener that, in addition to eliminating unpleasant odors, also fights bacteria and fungi, pathogens of various diseases - with regular use.
Has a pleasant aroma. And it is extremely simple to use. It is used both for showroom vehicle maintenance and individually by individuals.
Properties
The Klima Fresh air freshener contains a broad-spectrum biocide. This substance destroys numerous bacteria and fungi, making the air inside the car clean and harmless to health.
Its main properties:
- removal of musty odor;
- destruction of fungi and bacteria;
- air freshening and deodorization;
- increasing travel comfort.
In addition, the composition acts quickly, it can be used at any convenient time - without disassembling the ventilation system and special preparation.
Article 7629
Application area
The product is intended for cleaning and deodorizing the air inside the car. For use only in car air conditioners. Kills fungi and pathogens, making your stay in the vehicle more comfortable and enjoyable.
| The basis | ethanol with flavors |
| Color | colorless |
| Density at 20 °C | 0.943 g/cm³ ISO 51,757 |
| Solubility in water | soluble |
Here's how to use this air conditioner cleaner:
- dry the outer surfaces of the evaporator using a car heater;
- turn off the device (air conditioning, climate control);
- set the ambient air temperature and the maximum air supply speed in the internal recirculation mode;
- Shake the can of air freshener thoroughly;
- bring it to the area of the internal recirculation air intake (usually this is the place at the feet of the front passenger seat);
- spray;
- turn on the automatic stove at the highest power;
- Allow the air ducts and evaporator to dry.
After just 10 minutes of air circulation, the interior will be fully processed, removing all repulsive odors and pathogens.
Important! Klima Fresh Plus air freshener must be sprayed with the car windows and doors closed. You can open them after the product has been applied and the air conditioner surfaces have dried.
