Any HVAC specialists on the site?

Got a major problem and was hoping to get some advice. PM me if possible.

Try to pm salty....

Thanks. Just did and Jim was extremely helpful.

I'vee been doing HVAC for 15.years if you need further help!

any tips for cleaning the A-coil when the cover is partially blocked by a coolant line?
My plan is to cut the A-coil cover plate saturday and hope aluminum tape can seal i back up after I clean it with a toothbrush...

Well, first there's generally no easy way to clean a coil when poor install practices were performed to begin with. If the refrigerant line is blocking the coil from being accessed, whoever installed it sucks 

So yeah just need to use the right tools. Sometimes you need a stubby screwdriver (usually 5/16 hex). Other times you need a extended screwdriver. It'll open one way or another, sometimes with lots of difficulty.

That being said, keep in mind what you need to clean is not the "top" of the A-coil. Once you expose the coil, you need to remove another panel in the middle of the coil and clean it on the inside.

Toothbrush.. well, there's a lot of easier ways to do it. We use combs, and cleaning solutions. Just make sure you're not pressing the dirt *into* the coil, but rather, scraping it off gently. You don't want to bend the fins (it won't kill the system, but the more airflow gets blocked, the more your bills will be.)

Thanks RBarkyeah, its the panel covering the middle of the A-coil that is partially blocked by the small copper pipe.  I had a guy over last year and we looked at it, totally filthy!!  but he would not perform surgery on the triangular piece of sheet metal to get into the inside of the coil with his tools
, we just peeked around the edges with his scope.
He wanted 600 to clean with chemicals, but I dont have that kind of $$ anymore anyway. 
Right now it runs all day and cant keep the house below 80 when its hot out, so I need to get this cleaned!


I'll try a rat-tail comb and vacuum cleaner with small nozzle and I'll be super careful with the fins.


basically, anything to not drop 8k on a new combo pak right now...

Honestly, you'll probably save $600 in energy bills by getting it cleaned this year alone, or at least within 2-3 years. Your fan is working harder due to the blockage, your compressor is working longer and harder because it's not cooling properly. And it's not only hurting you during cooling- when you start using your heating the blocked airflow is going to be costing you money too.

Coil cleanings pay for themselves several times over assuming you don't think a replacement is happening within a few years. That being said I can understand simply not having $600 to spare even if it's better in the long term. (been there, many times. Many.)

Thanks Ryan, I know this will save so much $$, I will be attempting it saturday.

I think I'm screwed, there really is no way in.