A/C Blower fan location / how to apply klima cleaner?

[maquino]

I ordered some klima cleaner to try to get rid of a strange smell i've been having when i turn on the ac but apparently I ordered a version that you DON'T Spray through the vents but rather need to spray through the A/C blower fan. Has anybody done this or know how to access it? I saw some pics of people pointing at the blower itself under the glove box but didn't look like you could blow into it. Would rather not take out my glove box if it's going to be a waste of time.

[jfo]

I will also need to do this. I used the foaming product last year but it wasn't that effective and the smell returned. It appears that you need to drop the blower motor, which also holds the fan cage. This should allow access to the channel leading to the evaporator. I haven't found a drawing of the HVAC housing yet, which would help to know where to snake the tube. The motor looks easy to remove...two bolts holding the regulator to the motor and then twist the motor counter clockwise to remove, after pulling down a release tab.
If you have the AMI box for an iPod in the glove box, be aware that it covers a bolt. The AMI box comes out easily with a radio removal key inserted in the small slots on the front.

Edit: I recall now that the fan cage is accessible by removing the plastic cover behind the engine. There is a removable mesh piece that holds an optional filter and you can reach down to the fan. It might be tricky fishing the cleaner tube blindly to the evaporator however.

[maquino]

The plastic cover behind the engine? I think I know what mesh thing you're talking about is it just the one that has the spark plug attachment cover and washer fluid cap back by the window?

[jfo]

The plastic cover behind the engine? I think I know what mesh thing you're talking about is it just the one that has the spark plug attachment cover and washer fluid cap back by the window?

Yes, although it's the battery terminal access.. the mesh piece is under that cover on the passenger side. Just remove the plastic fasteners on each side of the cover and it pops off. After looking at a photo of the blower case/housing, I think you can also get access through the cabin filter opening. Again, you won't be able to see where the tube is going and if it reaches the evaporator.
When I have some time, I will try using my inspection scope to see what's in that channel. Here's a pic of the housing removed from the car. It's an S4 but should be the same.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hvac-Heat-Ai...-/272280282959

[van462]

Remove the foam cover below the glovebox in the footwell. The cabin filter is there. remove cabin filter, filters should be on the intake side of the blower.

[jfo]

Remove the foam cover below the glovebox in the footwell. The cabin filter is there. remove cabin filter, filters should be on the intake side of the blower.

No, the filter is on the exhaust side of the blower.

[maquino]

Probably has more HP!

[maquino]

Here's a pic of the housing removed from the car. It's an S4 but should be the same.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hvac-Heat-Ai...-/272280282959

---/

...but seriously is that what you think there is access to somewhere down beneath that plastic cover or if you blindly stick the tube up thru the cabin filter slot?

[jfo]

Here's a pic of the housing removed from the car. It's an S4 but should be the same.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hvac-Heat-Ai...-/272280282959

---/

...but seriously is that what you think there is access to somewhere down beneath that plastic cover or if you blindly stick the tube up thru the cabin filter slot?

Yes, since you would be going through the same section of the blower housing as the blower fan access. Without knowing what's in that channel however, it's hard to know if either approach will reach the evaporator without hitting obstacles. Perhaps with the motor out and using a mirror, you could see more clearly. In any case, I will try snaking my scope into the cabin filter slot to take a look. Another approach is to use the evaporator drain tube, located somewhere under the carpet on the side of the console. I haven't looked for it on my car yet, but have seen some pics. It should be a very short path to the evaporator, but similarly it's blind and hard to know where the cleaner tube ends up. I don't feel like just spraying another can of Klima in there and hoping it's finding the evaporator.

[maquino]

No, the filter is on the exhaust side of the blower.

Actually are you sure about that? Typically filters are before air intakes then it blows out from the vents

Anyways please let me know what you see when you put the scope up there.

[jfo]

Actually are you sure about that? Typically filters are before air intakes then it blows out from the vents

Anyways please let me know what you see when you put the scope up there.

They can be, but the filters only need to be before the point air enters the internal distribution system and that can be after the blower as is clearly the case in our cars, as shown in the previous pics. This was also the case in my last 2 cars. My scope is with a friend and I will post back when I have had a chance to take a look.

[Iridium.]

Best results I've seen for Klima Cleaner is to remove the cabin filter like maquino previously stated > start the car > turn HVAC to full > set to recirculate with A/C on at a high temperature > set the Klima Cleaner off in the passenger footwell (if its the locking nozzle type) and let it do it's thing for about 10 minutes with all windows and doors shut > come back and open all windows while letting the HVAC continue to run on recirculate for another 5-10 minutes.

We do this on a consistent basis for customers who complain of a smell from their HVAC systems and this works 99% of the time.

[jfo]

The Klima easy-to-use can may be worth trying. It's apparently not as effective , relying on the limited fog exposure to the mould, etc, as compared to hitting it with a liquid soak. But if the contamination is not bad it may be fine. Thanks for posting your experience with it. How often have you used it and how long does the masking odour last? I've read where people have been smelling lemon for a week!

[Iridium.]

The "smell" from the Klima Cleaner usually dissipates in 6-8 hours based on personal experience with my vehicle. Most of the smell is gone after letting the car air out with re-circ. on for 5-10 minutes after the initial fogging. I've only used it once on my car and haven't had issues since. This was about a month ago. Prior to that it had never been done.

This is what we use at our shop.

[jfo]

Thanks. I see there are several brands of Klima Fresh, which is the generic name for this stuff. I thought Klima was actually an Einszett brand, but I guess it's a generic German term. I see this one(PowerMaxx) is made by Bluechem and Liqui Moly also has a Klima Fresh fog product.

Edit: Can you tell me where you buy it?

[jfo]

Anyways please let me know what you see when you put the scope up there.

I used my scope and the evaporator is right next to the cabin filter slot/housing. It is clearly visible and I could see the entire unit.The challenge with any approach though, is not seeing where you are spraying and trying to manipulate the floppy tube. This would also be the case coming in through the fan motor opening. A foaming type cleaner would probably be more effective in expanding to fill the space around the evaporator. I gather the new Einszett product no longer foams. Bluechem does offer a foaming cleaner along with the fogging product, so I will try these in future.

[maquino]

I used my scope and the evaporator is right next to the cabin filter slot/housing. It is clearly visible and I could see the entire unit.The challenge with any approach though, is not seeing where you are spraying and trying to manipulate the floppy tube. This would also be the case coming in through the fan motor opening. A foaming type cleaner would probably be more effective in expanding to fill the space around the evaporator. I gather the new Einszett product no longer foams. Bluechem does offer a foaming cleaner along with the fogging product, so I will try these in future.

Cool. Is it worth it trying to go in blind without even a scope or should I just chock that purchase up as a loss and buy the fogger? I found this https://www.amazon.com/AUTOPROFI-Kli...ds=klima+fresh . I also saw the bluechem site but I didn't see anywhere to buy it online.

[jfo]

Cool. Is it worth it trying to go in blind without even a scope or should I just chock that purchase up as a loss and buy the fogger? I found this https://www.amazon.com/AUTOPROFI-Kli...ds=klima+fresh . I also saw the bluechem site but I didn't see anywhere to buy it online.

Since you already have it, why not give it a try? The nozzle is probably multi directional and will spray all around. Perhaps tape the tube to a piece of heavy wire or something that you can curve a bit and control the tube to move it up/ down in the opening. Use a good light to help see the opening into the evaporator housing.

Edit: That Klima Fresh has almost the same label as the PowerMaxx/Blue Chem product, so it's likely made by Blue Chem

[Iridium.]

Thanks. I see there are several brands of Klima Fresh, which is the generic name for this stuff. I thought Klima was actually an Einszett brand, but I guess it's a generic German term. I see this one(PowerMaxx) is made by Bluechem and Liqui Moly also has a Klima Fresh fog product.

Edit: Can you tell me where you buy it?

We get bulk orders through Auto Camping Limited. As far as I know, unless you're at a shop they won't do private sales.

[maquino]

I saw what looked like an air intake to the side of the cabin air filter bay which I could see lying on the floor and looking in. I fed the tube all the way in there and sprayed the whole can. was that the proper place? Either way I also replaced the cabin air filter before I left work and I didn't smell anything on the drive home (where I used the Klima spray) so maybe that's all that I actually needed.

[jfo]

I saw what looked like an air intake to the side of the cabin air filter bay which I could see lying on the floor and looking in. I fed the tube all the way in there and sprayed the whole can. was that the proper place? Either way I also replaced the cabin air filter before I left work and I didn't smell anything on the drive home (where I used the Klima spray) so maybe that's all that I actually needed.

Yes, that's where it should go. I doubt the filter would make a difference. The smell is from fungi or mould, which grows in the perfect conditions that can arise in the evaporator. You make get some spores , etc in the filter, but they don't develop into damp, smelly clusters.

[maquino]

seems to have worked great. no smell anymore. not very hard at all. anybody who gets this spray can: don't worry. It's not as daunting as you may think. Takes less than 5 minutes to take out the filter and spray in the can, all you need is a small flashlight to find the air intake

[jfo]

seems to have worked great. no smell anymore. not very hard at all. anybody who gets this spray can: don't worry. It's not as daunting as you may think. Takes less than 5 minutes to take out the filter and spray in the can, all you need is a small flashlight to find the air intake

The smell returned after about 6 mths, but it's very mild compared to what it was in the spring. It's likely that the initial dose didn't reach and kill 100% of the organisms. I think I'll try the fog next, since it should reach all the surfaces as it circulates and may take care of minor growth. Probably a good idea to use it yearly to help kill off new growth.