Talking About Restoring Vehicle Interiors

If you have just purchased a semi truck from a dealership like the one at http://www.arrowtruck.com/, then you should know that your semi truck's air conditioner is one of the most important amenities available to you; without it, the scorching heat of summer will turn drivers irritable and make them less-attentive. In general, your truck's air conditioner is a low-maintenance item that keeps you comfortable without expecting much in return. However, the condenser coil, the part that transfers heat from the refrigerant to the atmosphere, does need periodic cleaning to keep the system functioning smoothly. Below is more information on how to clean your truck's air conditioning condenser:

How to clean your semi truck's air conditioning condenser - tools and materials needed

• Wet/dry vacuum with brush attachment
• Fin comb
• Liquid dishwashing soap
• Measuring cup
• Household vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Water hose

How to clean your semi truck's air conditioning condenser - step-by-step procedure

1. Set a cleaning schedule – heavy truck air conditioning condensers are designed to operate under tough conditions, but cleaning the condenser at least once every six months will help make it last longer and cool more efficiently. In some cases, particularly if your hauls take you into dirty or dusty terrain, be sure to check the condenser about once every three months to determine if they need cleaning. If you just purchased the truck from a used dealer, cleaning the condenser is important since you have no way of knowing if a previous owner cleaned it regularly.

2. Prepare condenser cleaning solution – in an empty, clean spray bottle, add one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Next, pour in one half-cup of household vinegar, and fill the rest of the bottle with tap water. Gently shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, but avoid shaking too hard so that you don't form bubbles. Set the bottle aside for later.

3. Locate the condenser – the air conditioning condenser is located in front of the radiator on heavy trucks. It is similar in appearance, though smaller, than the radiator, and it will contain numerous thin fins that act as heat exchangers. Refrigerant enters the top of the condenser, circulates through the tubing and heat is drawn out of the refrigerant. The refrigerant continues flowing, leaves the bottom of the condenser and heads back to the compressor.

4. Vacuum the condenser – after locating the condenser, use a wet/dry vacuum with brush attachment to gently remove dust, dirt and other loose bits of grime and debris from the condenser. Do not apply force while vacuuming; instead, guide the attachment so that it gently brushes the fins of the condenser. Continue vacuuming until you have removed all loose debris.

5. Spray the condenser with the cleaning solution – with your spray bottle, apply a generous amount of condenser cleaning solution you made in step 2 to the surface of the fins. Keep spraying until the solution is dripping from the condenser on to the ground. Be sure not to spray the cleaning solution on to the belts or electronic components. Allow the solution to soak the condenser for 15 minutes.

6. Wash away the cleaning solution – after soaking the condenser with a water hose, rinse the cleaning solution and freshly-loosened grime from the condenser. Use plenty of water, but do not use a spray attachment or power washer; the fins are sensitive and are easily bent. Keep rinsing until the condenser is clear of solution and appears clean. If there is still residue, return to step 5 and repeat the spraying/rinsing steps until the condenser is clean.

7. Reshape the condenser fins – after rinsing the condenser and permitting it to air dry, use the fin comb to straighten the fins. Simply insert the teeth of the comb between the fins and gently pull it until the fins are straightened. It may take more than one stroke to straighten the fins completely, so work patiently to avoid damaging them.