A/C Leaking onto carpet but drain seems to be ok

[Savij]

Hi guys,

It's summer and my 2004 Acura RSX Type S is leaking water on the passenger side carpet again. I've checked and rechecked that the drain tube is clear and it seems fine. I've watched water drip from there when the A/C is on, and it has been cleaned a few times just in case, and the problem remains.

The water is clear, cold, and doesn't smell like antifreeze or anything else. Last summer I started to pull out the glove box and center console to try to find the source but I never managed to pin it down other than it's coming from inside the foot vents there.

I guess it's something inside the A/C core (not sure about terms here) but I'm not sure if I should try to open it to keep looking for the source or what.

Any ideas or suggestions on what it might be or how I should attack this problem from here?

 

[pcgeek11]

Check where the drain tube connects to the AC unit inside the car. It could be partially pulled loose and dripping inside while still draining some out the end.

 

[nerp]

There is definitely a leak or disconnection in the line somewhere. Get it taken care of or you'll be battling mold.

 

[tortillasoup]

Hi guys,

It's summer and my 2004 Acura RSX Type S is leaking water on the passenger side carpet again. I've checked and rechecked that the drain tube is clear and it seems fine. I've watched water drip from there when the A/C is on, and it has been cleaned a few times just in case, and the problem remains.

The water is clear, cold, and doesn't smell like antifreeze or anything else. Last summer I started to pull out the glove box and center console to try to find the source but I never managed to pin it down other than it's coming from inside the foot vents there.

I guess it's something inside the A/C core (not sure about terms here) but I'm not sure if I should try to open it to keep looking for the source or what.

Any ideas or suggestions on what it might be or how I should attack this problem from here?

Does this water appear after it rains? Do you have a moonroof/sun roof?

 

[Kadarin]

The one time this happened to me (over 20 years ago), it was a bad heater core. YMMV.

 

[razel]

+1 above... the heater core is usually just behind the glovebox. If I were you, I'd dry the area best that I could, then laydown some plastic grocery or trash bag, then put newspapers above it. Turn the AC on and drive, pull over to check it often. It'll be beyond obvious to pinpoint find where it drips with newspaper.

To pinpoint that it is the issue, let it dry a few days and repeat but with no AC. Have fun.

 

[KK]

The one time this happened to me (over 20 years ago), it was a bad heater core. YMMV.

Heater core would be leaking coolant. The AC would have its separate condensor coil which would have the freon in it.

 

[dbcooper1]

He said "The water is clear, cold, and doesn't smell like antifreeze or anything else". Sounds like it's related to the A/C and not the heater. Likely the drain tube or where it's attached, as others have said.

 

[Savij]

Does this water appear after it rains? Do you have a moonroof/sun roof?

I do have a sunroof, but it's not related to rain. I've been checking before and there were no drips. It starts in the summer when consecutive hot humid days start.

 

[Savij]

+1 above... the heater core is usually just behind the glovebox. If I were you, I'd dry the area best that I could, then laydown some plastic grocery or trash bag, then put newspapers above it. Turn the AC on and drive, pull over to check it often. It'll be beyond obvious to pinpoint find where it drips with newspaper.

To pinpoint that it is the issue, let it dry a few days and repeat but with no AC. Have fun.

It's coming from inside the foot air vents on that side.

 

[pcgeek11]

Sounds like the drain is plugged.