Need help cleaning HVAC evaporator coils (furnace, heat, insulated, smell)

[OmegaSupreme]

Anyone done this? Did it have a noticeable effect?

I couldn't get the cover off, removed all the HVAC tape and screws but the bottom left was stuck

Not sure if it had something to do with that copper pipe going in, possibly the nut around it was preventing removal?

I've been told not to remove that nut since all the freon will leak out

It feels like there are still some screws holding it in place, but I've removed all of them from the front panel

[MrRational]

There are two basic types of HVAC evaporator coils.
These are "cased" or cobbled together from scrap metal "uncased".
Look at some pictures of some cased coils HERE

When you replace your system... insist on a cased coil.
Based on the picture that's gonna be pretty soon.

[K'ledgeBldr]

The Hell with the evap- get rid of that flex duct on the furnace! NOW!!!

Big NO NO! That should be double wall vent pipe- like that for the W/H.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

The Hell with the evap- get rid of that flex duct on the furnace! NOW!!!

Big NO NO! That should be double wall vent pipe- like that for the W/H.

lol.. relax - the o.p. is in las vegas - the furnace prolly sees all of 30 minutes of use per year.

[OmegaSupreme]

It's an A Frame coil, I just want to be able to remove the cover so I can spray some foaming coil cleaner on it

[OmegaSupreme]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

The Hell with the evap- get rid of that flex duct on the furnace! NOW!!!

Big NO NO! That should be double wall vent pipe- like that for the W/H.

I don't understand, what do you mean exactly?

[MikeBear]

Originally Posted by OmegaSupreme

I don't understand, what do you mean exactly?

He means that if you ever get a crack in your heat exchanger, you could possibly die from inhaling carbon monoxide gas fumes...


Flex pipe is NOT made to be used in the manner it is on your furnace. It needs to be replaced with metal ducting pipe.


As for cleaning your "A" coil, I highly suggest you call the furnace guys and pay to have it done by an expert. Your life isn't worth the couple hundred dollars it might cost. Foaming coil cleaner is VERY corrosive, and this is not usually a task that is done while the coil is installed in the furnace. You have to flood the coil with water afterwards, and rinse it off properly. If you don't have a good drain, you are in for a surprise. If you don't rinse it off, it'll eat your coil.


P.S. Don't call the furnace guys that installed that furnace originally. They don't know what they are doing.

[OmegaSupreme]

thanks for the replies i will just call someone, since i have no idea what flex pipe of flex duct is

hopefully the tech will know and fix it

i wonder if this shoddy thing is responsible for the smell of natural gas every now and then i get in the garage

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by OmegaSupreme

i wonder if this shoddy thing is responsible for the smell of natural gas...

That's the safest bet made in Vegas today.

[vegas taco]

Originally Posted by OmegaSupreme

thanks for the replies i will just call someone, since i have no idea what flex pipe of flex duct is

hopefully the tech will know and fix it

i wonder if this shoddy thing is responsible for the smell of natural gas every now and then i get in the garage

the flex pipe is in the middle of the pic and runs to the left above the insulated line this type of duct is usually used on dryers