Just_Randy
Member
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2007
- Messages
- 140
- Reaction score
- 13
- Points
- 18
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 3.0
- Transmission
- Manual
Ok I looked at the MSDS for 4 different AC flushes. 3 are heptane and propanol. The 4th added toluene.
https://www.rockauto.com/genImages/52/69991_sds_en.pdf (<--- isomers of heptane)
https://www.rockauto.com/genImages/1054/6545-6.pdf (<--- toluene)
Heptane and toluene are nonpolar solvents good for dissolving oil.
Propanol is a polar solvent that would dissolve polar molecules like salt.
I wouldn't expect to find many polar molecules (other than water) in an AC system but who really knows. Propanol could be a filler like acetone is in brake cleaner, or it could have a legit function like removing water. But I think the main solvent is heptane which I think is used because it is safer than toluene.
Anyway, I can't find a reason not to use brake cleaner to clear out the evaporator, particularly one that is high in toluene rather than filler and propellant. The best one I've found is Walmart's Super Tech brand.
So I guess I can hose out the evaporator with brake cleaner followed by 30 minutes of compressed air.
Thoughts?
https://www.rockauto.com/genImages/52/69991_sds_en.pdf (<--- isomers of heptane)
https://www.rockauto.com/genImages/1054/6545-6.pdf (<--- toluene)
Heptane and toluene are nonpolar solvents good for dissolving oil.
Propanol is a polar solvent that would dissolve polar molecules like salt.
I wouldn't expect to find many polar molecules (other than water) in an AC system but who really knows. Propanol could be a filler like acetone is in brake cleaner, or it could have a legit function like removing water. But I think the main solvent is heptane which I think is used because it is safer than toluene.
Anyway, I can't find a reason not to use brake cleaner to clear out the evaporator, particularly one that is high in toluene rather than filler and propellant. The best one I've found is Walmart's Super Tech brand.
So I guess I can hose out the evaporator with brake cleaner followed by 30 minutes of compressed air.
Thoughts?