Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

[RickyMartinZ28]

What are you guys using to clean deep into the air ducts? Like a giant pipe-cleaner or snake or what?

I'd like to try this with something. Turn the air on high and run a "snake" in them to clean them out really well...

Any ideas?

-Rick

Also, I'm asking because a few years ago I had a car that got ants in the vent and they carried dirt and debris in there... took forever to get it out, and still will spit a chunk of dirt out every once in awhile...

-Rick

[Zuke]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

I use the blower on my vac, seems to get most the junk outta there for me.

[RickyMartinZ28]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

I'm thinking something like this...

http://www.ductsmart.com/index_files/6300.htm

[RickyMartinZ28]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

Also, it'd be great if it was something you could "inflate/deflate"...

That way you could insert it into the vent, deep into the duct, and then inflate and pull out...

I guess a spinning soft brush could have the same effect... except some ducts are square...

-Rick

[MrCLRider]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

might want to look at the dryer vent cleaning tool, from the AS SEEN ON TV commercials, inlaws have it, says it works great for the dryer vent, its flexible, and from what i understand, long..

[klink10]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

I let my car sit outside for a year. I ended up removing all the vent work, washing each piece and covering with 303 or Stoners. Treated all the windshield washer connections and hoses, then put it all back together. I decided at that point it would become a once a year task as I don't want that inadvertant (sp) leaf to get in there causing a blockage thus not allowing water to drain properly. Wetness in there does create mold and mildew which with the air or heat on provides for some not so pleasant smells. Needless to say the car is now kept in the shop instead of outside.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

Never thought of it before. I blow steam down the vents, but if its bad, that may not be enough. I would probably use the blower on my wet dry vac, as mentioned before.

[RickyMartinZ28]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

Well, I'm looking to actually "scrub" the surface, not just blow on it...

Dust gets in there, it can sometimes become moist from drastic temp changes, causing whatever dirt/dust/etc to become somewhat bonded to the surface...

I've been searching, looking for a decent duct brush...

-Rick

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

Have you considered talking to the local HVAC companies for some ideas. (thinking off the top of my head)

[RickyMartinZ28]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

I'm going to stick the high pressure hose from the car wash down it, that should clean it up. Right? And one of those big toilet brushes...

-Rick


I might take a small trip to HomeDepot or Lowes later... see what they have...

[oldmodman]

Re: Removing Vents, Cleaning Passages

Just a word of caution for anybody working on a 70's or older classic car.

Many of them had ductwork made of a hard compressed cardboard. Get it wet and it will mold and stink like crazy.