Condensation leak under passenger dash

[CraKaJaX]

Car: 2008 Subaru Legacy

Got to work this morning and noticed water on the passenger side floor mat - luckily they're rubber mats and held it all without getting it on the carpet. I would say it would be enough water to soak up a few paper towels. I took a quick look under the dash and noticed there is an exposed hose - possibly the drain hose? that had heavy condensation on it that runs right next to the firewall. The fluid is clear with no smell. I didn't have the AC on this morning, but I did have the 'outside air' on to clear up my windshield. If that hose is a drain hose, my first instinct was something is clogged and needs to be cleared? I just hit 74k on the car so it's quite possible. Has anyone had this problem before? Thoughts? Any help is appreciated.

 

[pcgeek11]

Yes. It could be clogged up or it could have become disconnected from someone kicking it.

From outside the compartment run a plastic zip tie up in the hose to remove any clogs. Under the dash make sure the hose is still attached to the nipple on the AC Unit.

 

[pauldun170]

Car: 2008 Subaru Legacy

Got to work this morning and noticed water on the passenger side floor mat - luckily they're rubber mats and held it all without getting it on the carpet. I would say it would be enough water to soak up a few paper towels. I took a quick look under the dash and noticed there is an exposed hose - possibly the drain hose? that had heavy condensation on it that runs right next to the firewall. The fluid is clear with no smell. I didn't have the AC on this morning, but I did have the 'outside air' on to clear up my windshield. If that hose is a drain hose, my first instinct was something is clogged and needs to be cleared? I just hit 74k on the car so it's quite possible. Has anyone had this problem before? Thoughts? Any help is appreciated.

In engine compartment, check to see if the AC evaporator drain hose is clogged. Rubber hose along the firewall (passenger side down low). Google image search for pics.

If that tube is clogged you end up with your issue. Will happen if you use defroster or AC.
Its not uncommon and is a very simple fix.
Sometimes even a good whack will shake whatever debris is in their loose. Other times just a little wire or whatever fits will clear out the blockage

 

[CraKaJaX]

Thanks guys. I will check it out after work today and report back. I like easy fixes

 

[SparkyJJO]

I like the zip tie idea. Metal wire could poke a hole in the rubber tube if you're not careful, but a plastic zip tie would be less likely to damage anything.

 

[Pacfanweb]

For A/C and sunroof drains, I used a piece of weedeater cord. A wire tie works, too, but you can make the weedeater cord as long as you want it.

For just a one-time thing, use a wire tie unless you just happen to have some weedeater cord handy.

I clean drains literally every day, so I have lots of it. Might not be practical for the home user, though, lol.

 

[CraKaJaX]

I ended up putting 3 6" zip ties together and it seemed to do the trick. It seems that in my car, the entire run is one solid piece of tubing so I was able to get pretty far up in there. A few pieces of crap fell out, but not so much where I would think it would cause a clog and leak that it did. I ran the car for ~15 minutes with the blower & AC running and there was no water anywhere in the car. I stuck my hand pretty far under the carpet/dash and there was no wetness either. Was pouring out the bottom by the pint though Seems like the issue is fixed. I like easy fixes. :thumbsup:

 

[LTC8K6]

I ended up putting 3 6" zip ties together and it seemed to do the trick. It seems that in my car, the entire run is one solid piece of tubing so I was able to get pretty far up in there. A few pieces of crap fell out, but not so much where I would think it would cause a clog and leak that it did. I ran the car for ~15 minutes with the blower & AC running and there was no water anywhere in the car. I stuck my hand pretty far under the carpet/dash and there was no wetness either. Was pouring out the bottom by the pint though Seems like the issue is fixed. I like easy fixes. :thumbsup:

The amount of condensation from the car A/C system is amazing.

 

[11thHour]

I ended up putting 3 6" zip ties together and it seemed to do the trick. It seems that in my car, the entire run is one solid piece of tubing so I was able to get pretty far up in there. A few pieces of crap fell out, but not so much where I would think it would cause a clog and leak that it did. I ran the car for ~15 minutes with the blower & AC running and there was no water anywhere in the car. I stuck my hand pretty far under the carpet/dash and there was no wetness either. Was pouring out the bottom by the pint though Seems like the issue is fixed. I like easy fixes. :thumbsup:

Nice. :thumbsup:

Even nicer is that I read this thread through this time instead of impatiently just the first post and then replying.

 

[Pacfanweb]

The amount of condensation from the car A/C system is amazing.

The wettest cars I've seen were from A/C leaks.

I looked at a Fusion today where the complaint was that the floor was wet in the passenger rear and under the passenger seat.

I found the front floor wet under the carpet. Pulled up the carpet and followed the moisture....went right up the center of the transmission hump and behind the dash. That's where the A/C drain was. The tech swore it wasn't an A/C leak because it was "too wet".

Started it and let it run for about 3 minutes and water started pouring into the right floor. And no telling how long it had been like that.