Clean your Nissan Frontier A/C System Evaporator

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Clean the A/C system in your Nissan Frontier Pathfinder, or X-Terra with ease by following these simple instructions. Over time, your air conditioner starts to smell from a build-up of dust, organic matter, and mold accumulating on the evaporator from inside the A/C system. The drain leading out of the evaporator is prone to clogging in dusty environments or go 4wheeling frequently. All of this combines to create unpleasant odors that permeate throughout your vehicle regardless of you having your AC or Heater on or off. It is most notable when you turn on your air conditioner for the first time after the vehicle has been sitting for a few days and when the humidity is high outside.
Step 1: With your A/C system off, spray Lysol disinfectant aerosol spray into each of your A/C vents. This will kill any mold that has accumulated inside the vents and will rinse any dust to the bottom collection point at your evaporator. Second, remove the in-cabin air filters and close up the filter cover without replacing the filters. Next, turn your air conditioner on high without the recirculator being on. This will pull in outside air through the air intake located in front of your windshield on the passenger side. Spray the Lysol disinfectant spray into the intake. This will disinfect as well as rinse any dust into the evaporator drain area.
Step 2: Locate the evaporator drain. This is where the condensed water in the A/C system collects and drips from your vehicle. It is located on the firewall on the passenger side of the vehicle. It has a downspout that is approximately 3.5” long that is made from a pliable rubber material. This can be partially removed from the firewall which allows for you to run a straw bush or bore brush through it to remove any debris. Next, run the straw brush or bore brush through the drain hole, into the evaporator chamber. This will break up any blockages and will disrupt any accumulated debris, allowing your evaporator to drain properly. Next, run the application tube from the evaporator cleaner into the evaporator chamber by feeding the tube into the cleaned drain hole. Depress the fill nozzle until the entire contents of the evaporator cleaner into the evaporator chamber. This expanding foam cleaner will clean your evaporator, removing any mold, dust, or organic matter that has been accumulated. Let it sit for 15 minutes with a drain pan under the vehicle to collect all the fluid that drains out.
Note: If you cannot get the application tube to fully enter into the evaporator chamber, you can drill a small hole in the plastic of the evaporator chamber exterior plastic and apply the evaporator cleaner through that hole. Once the cleaner has worked its magic, it may be easier to clean out the evaporator drain. The cleaner can also be applied through the A/C vents, but may not work the best, since it isn’t filling the evaporator chamber fully.
Step 3: While you wait the 15 minutes, replace insert new cabin air filters into the cabin air filter box and close it. Run your A/C system on high with the recirculator on until you see a steady stream dripping from the evaporator drain hole.
Step4: Get that new car smell with an Air Conditioner fogger. First remove any items from your cabin that you do not want to smell like a new car. With your A/C system still on high and recirculating, depress the fogger spray top and set it in your cup holder. Close your car up and let it fill your cabin and permeate throughout the vehicle for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes you can open up the vehicle and turn the vehicle off.
Step 5: Once the engine compartment cools off, you can reinstall the evaporator drain spout and you are done. Your car will now smell fresh for the next year. This can be done on a yearly basis or as needed.

[@johnj873]

Future note: it is easier to get the the drain plug through the front passenger wheel well. Just remove the inner cover

[@NissanDudeAZ]

good tip!

[@cele9752]

My floor dried up so quick. Unbelievable. Thank you!!!

[@NissanDudeAZ]

You're welcome 👍

[@richardalexander7089]

Thank you for showing the alternative as to *where* to drill and directly access the coil. That will help folks like myself out quite a bit.

[@NissanDudeAZ]

No problem!

[@bpearson42]

Great video... Exactly what is looking for.

[@shaolin224]

There's only five screws that hold the glove box unit on. No tabs to pull no strings to detach.

[@davethenorse6329]

Brilliant! Thanks so much!

[@NissanDudeAZ]

You're welcome

[@jponce3878]

Great video, my 2012 frontier cools for about 1 or 2 hrs while driving and then not cold anymore until next drive, any ideas?

[@NissanDudeAZ]

I am not sure, sorry. How's the engine coolant temp?

[@jamesbaskins6351]

You need to be specific as to where to drill the hole. So do you know?? If its drilled in the wrong place it can cost a grand to repair.also have you done this before?

[@ProfessionalPepper]

I have done it in other vehicles. It is on the angled part that sticks out from the rest. You only drill in 1/4 inch until you breach the plastic. If you hit metal, stop, you went to far. Drill slow, and take it easy.

[@NissanDudeAZ]

It is supposed to be drilled in the angled portion that protrudes from the rest of the plastic.

[@cele9752]

I noticed one of my filters had the arrow pointing up. Could that have affected the drain at all?

[@NissanDudeAZ]

It shouldn't have had any effect on the drain.

[@TMItulsa]

Geez, that fabreeze type fragrance product is toxic!

[@nicktillisch9734]

Can u do a video for replacing exhaust manifold gasket side 1 on a 2012 frontier? My current issue I have with my truck Thank u

[@NissanDudeAZ]

I haven't had that issue yet, sorry.

[@Spigola1-351]

Hello, can you get to the evaporator drain hose from inside the car?

[@NissanDudeAZ]

No you cannot, but you can put the cleaner in through the AC vent.

[@Spigola1-351]

Thanks! Will it also unclog the drain tube ?

[@NissanDudeAZ]

@@Spigola1-351 possibly, but it might not. Only way to be sure is to use the brush.

[@philh1826]

Do you beed a second battery for your ham/gmrs/cb radio?

[@NissanDudeAZ]

No, I do not. If you want to do a lot of transmitting while the engine isn't running, you could add another battery in parallel.

[@ProfessionalPepper]

Stank is stanky. Good instructions.

[@Scalettadom]

In general, you should not be drilling into your evaporator.

[@NissanDudeAZ]

Generally no.

[@beenthere54]

How often should you change the filters?

[@ProfessionalPepper]

Once a year, if you drive 10k miles a year.

[@NissanDudeAZ]

Change them once a year. If you drive on dusty roads, high pollen or humid areas, you may want to change them more often.