Evaporator cleaning/deodorizing DIY.

So its springtime and that means A/C season, but unfortunately my a/c has been smelling like a dirty crusty gym socks, solution? Toyota's Evaporator Cleaning kit. Part number 00289ACRKT



It comes in 2 cans 1 foam that you instill into the evaporator via the water drain and the other its a aerosol spray that deodorizes the vent, I bought this on Ebay for $20 while my local dealer wanted $49.99+tax for just the foam (my local dealer sucks btw) The can has some (universal) instructions written. this is my first time using this so if i made some errors correct me.

What you'll need
1 Toyota Evaporator cleaning Kit, part number 00289ACRKT
1 Cabin filter

*Before you begin set the temperature to low and turn off the car. Do not run the fan or start the vehicle while the foam is in the system!

1. (Optional) Find your a/c evaporator drain line, this if you want to put a drain pan to catch it (to see what junks comes out) its located on the right side (passenger side) behind the engine you'll need some light to see the pipe sticking out.


2. Due to access problem of the outside drain line i used this route, Go to the passenger side and remove the glove box and lower kick panel (similar to when you're replacing your cabin filter), then peel back the floor mat to expose the drain line from the evaporator,


3.Disconnect the outside drain line from the evaporator


4. The kit should have a clear line with a cone attached at the end, Insert the cone end of the line into the evaporator drain line first, then assemble/attach the line on to the foam spray (step 1) this will cause some to the foam to immediately discharge when you assemble it, remove the plastic protective cap spray trigger and press and hold the spray nozzle until 1/2 of the can has been discharged into the evaporator.


5. After discharging 1/2 of the can pinch the evaporator drain line, disconnect the cone from evaporator and reattach to the evaporator line to drain outlet and let the foam do its job, the foam will turn into liquid and it will come out on its own it will take around 10 mins to completely drain all of the product, repeat steps 3-5 for the other 1/2 can.


Comment. When you spray the foam goes in the evaporator compartment expands covering every little possible nook and cranny of the evaporator thus coating it and cleaning/deodorize/disinfecting it after 5 mins the foam turns into fluid and it runs out of your evaporator drain line . Heres what came out, the color is originally brownish, there were some fine sediment at the bottom of the pan.


6. After completing the other 1/2 can of foam and theres no more liquid coming out of the evaporator drain pipe, reinstall the carpet, but leave the glove box and lower kick panel open.


7.Get the aerosol can (step 2) go to a well ventilated area, remove the cabin filter, close all doors and windows,


Set the climate control to the following: a/c off, temperature low and fan high (max) and outside air (see picture for clarification),


Locate to the outside fresh air vent (located on passenger side) and start spraying in left to right sweeping pattern, use the entire can, and let it run for 5 mins.


After 5 mins has elapse open the window and let the excess aerosol/scent vent out.


Thats about it dont forget to replace with a new cabin filter and reinstall the glove box. your car vent will smell clean, the scent is VERY strong for the first few hours and it smells plesent almost like lemon, synthetic lemon to be exact.

I don't know how long it will last but i'll update this page time to time.

 

***UPDATE***
Its almost been a week since i've done this and i've been using my a/c quite often almost everyime i drive, and so far so good, the scent from the product (synthetic lemon) has dramatically decreased down to very faint, vents is beginning to smell neutral, no foul odor as of yet. Next update 1 month from now.