Help needed!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
Help needed!!
When I turn my AC on, I get a blast of horribly smelling air. My mechanic just called to tell me the heater box is clogges with Leaves, and the smell is coming from bad water that is trapped in this box.
The issue is that to remove and empty the box he needs to take the dash, steering column, and engine intake off the car.... $1400???
Does this seem right? I have never heard of anything like this.
The issue is that to remove and empty the box he needs to take the dash, steering column, and engine intake off the car.... $1400???
Does this seem right? I have never heard of anything like this.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Run Forrest Run!!!!..........Far away from that mechanic!!! 
Remove the blower motor and fan from inside the car to clean out the leaves and rotted debris. Spray some disinfectant in the air box before you reinstall the blower.
Remove the blower motor and fan from inside the car to clean out the leaves and rotted debris. Spray some disinfectant in the air box before you reinstall the blower.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
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From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
You guys are the best. Can someone guide me on this, or provide me with a resource to read?
Thank you very much!!!! I am fairly mechanical, but know nothing about AC, or even where the box is....
Thank you very much!!!! I am fairly mechanical, but know nothing about AC, or even where the box is....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
OK, I talked with my mechanica again. He has already tried taking the blower motor off, and going that route, but the leaves are back under the heater core, clogging the drain which he can't reach.
any other suggestions?
any other suggestions?
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
You need to get creative here. Try a shop vac adapted with some smaller diameter flexible tubing on the suction end.
It might take a little time to suck the debris out in small bites,but it's certainly worth trying. Good Luck.
It might take a little time to suck the debris out in small bites,but it's certainly worth trying. Good Luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 65,010
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From: Title town, Champs live here.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
for $1400 you have time and creativity on your side. Go the blower motor route and try anything(contraption) you can weasel in there to remove debris. Worst case scenario post about removing all the shop was going to and DIY, money well saved. I'm sure someone would be willing to impart their first hand knowledge of that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Eddy Texas
Can't add any more than everyone else has suggested except for this. When you get the airbox cleaned out, make sure you clean the "udders" on the firewall. That will cause some of the water and debris that started your troubles. I suggest you read Bill's sticky if you haven't already.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925
EDIT: I did have an idea. If you can get an air hose with a long tube on it, you might be able to "backflush" some of the crud out, by blowing into the A/C condensate drain on the firewall. Just make sure you cover your carpet and seats with something, in case it actually works, lol. Wouldn't want the crud in your upholstery!
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2032925
EDIT: I did have an idea. If you can get an air hose with a long tube on it, you might be able to "backflush" some of the crud out, by blowing into the A/C condensate drain on the firewall. Just make sure you cover your carpet and seats with something, in case it actually works, lol. Wouldn't want the crud in your upholstery!
Last edited by c5streak; Jun 13, 2008 at 12:10 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
EDIT: I did have an idea. If you can get an air hose with a long tube on it, you might be able to "backflush" some of the crud out, by blowing into the A/C condensate drain on the firewall. Just make sure you cover your carpet and seats with something, in case it actually works, lol. Wouldn't want the crud in your upholstery!
I like that idea too.