Mineral Spirits as A/C Flush?
 

Can I use the MS for flushing? A/C flush is about $14/qt here while MS ae about $1.15/qt (by gallon)...

Will I need to come back with real flush then lots of compressed air to finish up properly?

I have used mineral spirits and can tell you it will not work as well as real flush. There must be something in the flush chemical that breaks surface tension or acts as a detergent, because I have followed up with flush AFTER using mineral spirits and gotten lots of debris. Just my $.02 - go with the real thing.

No
 

No, and no...:eek:
The R-12 system is not made to tolerate this contamination...:eek:

Mineral spirits leaves behind contamination that will degrade performance, and can wreck the system.. :(






Have a great day.

Crap, do I need to replace my condensor then?

I ran some MS through it... and plan to run a few quarts of actual flush through it later today.

I recall now (it has been a year since I did any flushing work) that mineral spirits leaves a residue, if I'm not mistaken. For instance, you are not to tack wipe body work with mineral spirits before painting, as the residue will cause interference.

I would not be comfortable reinstalling a condenser that has been flushed with MS. That residue is just going to circulate through the whole system.

Answer:
 

Here is a thread you need to read.

to flush or not to flush?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=863356

The condenser can still be cleaned by flushing with Acetone. :)

Go here: http://acsource.net/acforum/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=56f46515d37de19a161bfb3d13630d08

or here: http://www.autoacforum.com/categories.cfm?catid=2

and type <mineral spirits> in the search; you'll find many of the "old pros" use/used mineral spirits followed by a more volatile flush. On big systems I know HVAC techs who use it, followed by a dedicated, but more expensive, HVAC flush.

Here's a good one: http://store.lenzdist.com/product.php?xProd=299 and one of the most cost effective, I've found.

I've have had someone tell me to use a couple of cans of brake cleaner. What do you think about that?

Confused
 

What is so difficult about condenser/evaporator flushing with Acetone.

This is how all of the OE do it:
#1. Because it will sanitize the system.
#2. Contamination is broken down by Acetone.
#3. Acetone is CHEAP and available at any location in the world.
#4. The procedure is simple enough for third world technicians to carry out.

Mineral spirits is NOT for use in automotive air conditioning systems...

Note:
Acetone will NOT run through the compressor or reciever/dryer without major damage.

Now we have conflicting info - http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=1283810&postcount=4

No conflict.
 

Mineral spirits

This is doubling your cost to no effect.

You are contaminating the system with mineral spirits, then removing the contamination in a second flushing. :(

With Acetone it requires ONE flush = less time = less effort = lower cost. :)

If Acetone or mineral oil enters your receiver/dryer or compressor, those units must be replaced. :(

I know a fellow in Texas who flushes condensers and evaporators (in vehicle) with live steam (325 F), that does not make it the correct or smart way to service the system.

My best advice:
Follow the factory procedures.

So I can use Acetone for the condensor and evap core? No problems with contaminating the system?

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with using A/C flush? Are you just limited in your access to it?

$14 a quart, that's nearly three times the cost of syn motor oil and it takes two-three quarts ALONE for my condensor. :o Wasteful on the cash end.

Yes
 

Correct.
This is one of the cheaper chemicals used in automotive (HV-A/C) prototype to clean out A/C condensers and evaporators for compressor testing.

Acetone is dangerous, TOXIC, HIGHLY FLAMMABLE, observe all safety precautions, your life depends on it.

Safety goggles are a MUST with this stuff.

Okay sounds good, whenever I use chem/oils I have goggles on. I've had my fair share of crap in my eye.

Let me know how the acetone process goes. I've never used it before and am curious. Besides, if it saves a few bucks it just might be worth looking into. Where would one get it, anyway?

Will do. The MS were only $4.50 a GALLON versus $14/quart for the A/C Flush. I figure Acetone in the same cost area as the MS.

My hardware store probably has it.

I regularly buy acetone at the hardware store. It's roughly $12 per gallon. When flushing, be careful not to get it on painted surfaces, rubber, or plastic.

I don't do R12, but I have read that mineral spirits leaves mineral oil on the surfaces when the rest evaporates, making it safe for R12 system flushing.

I buy the $45/gallon AC flush. It is much more expensive than any alternative, but it is safe for the paint and supposedly non-toxic. The last part is hard to believe given the smell, but that's what it says on the bottle.

Old thread guys!

I have rebuilt a few systems now, with success, using Acetone. Next time I'm buying something like this -

http://www.ackits.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=01&Product_Code=PULSATOR-KIT&Category_Code=Flush

I have enough vehicles to make this worth my while.

Boy has the price risen since I bought one. Still worth the money though. It works very well.

I buy HVAC stuff in the wrong seasons... heater parts in the summer, A/C in the winter. Prices are FAR less then as the scramble/rush is gone.

Maybe I will find a used one. :) Doubtful, but after having to flush my SD for such a long time to come clean, I will never do it that way again.

The key to using Mineral Spirits is to use it as an initial flush to get most of the oil out of the system. Then blow it out THOROUGHLY and flush that out with a/c flush or Brake Cleaner.

I personally CAN NOT use Acetone. When in the Army we used some really nasty chemicals to clean electric connectors and such. At that time my sinuses developed a sensitivity that is triggered by some chemicals. Acetone is the worst of them. If I'm even in the same room with open Acetone I stand a REALLY GOOD chance of developing sinus swelling that results in a headache that feels like I have an ice pick stuck behind my eyeball.

If you use the regular a/c flush wisely witih a rubber tipped flush gun, it will go a long way, making it more affordable.

My $0.02,