AC water leak
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Ortonville Michigan
AC water leak
I have a 1998 C5. It runs great. I'm getting a water leak under the glove box on the passenger side. I first thought it was because of all the rain we've been getting, but it only leaks when the AC is on and it drips right on the electronics. It is water not coolant. I checked the drains under the wipers and they are not obstructed. The humidity has been real high here in Michigan and I don't get a puddle in the cement, I get a puddle on the floor when I run the AC. What am I missing, where is the drain for the AC, and how do I get to it.
Thanks
Mabolzich
Thanks
Mabolzich
Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Not sure if this will help, But there are utters under the hood on the firewall down low, I have heard if these are plugged you can get water in the cabin, There are sevral on the left and right side, They are utters like on a cow, Just stick your finget in the bottom of them and make sure they are clean and clear, I did mine and they were full of old leaves.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Knoxville Tn
There is an L shaped rubber drain that is designed to drain the AC condensor. It often gets plugged up and will then back up water into the passenger floorboard area. Find it and make sure it is draining properly. Failure to do so will allow water to enter the Body control module (computer) that is also in the wheel well area of the passenger compartment. That can get veryyyyyyyyy expensive......
thare are a couple of threads on this BB discussing how to identigy that drain.... use the search.
thare are a couple of threads on this BB discussing how to identigy that drain.... use the search.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Ortonville Michigan
Thanks for the help. It seems that the part is called the evaporator drain. A little L shaped tube in an impossible place unless you're Mr. Fantastic. It's times like this when I wish I was 6, 'cause then my hands were small enought to get up in there. Hey, that's a good idea! Train 6, 7, and 8 year old kids to service the small spots. Well, I put it up on my fancy new ramps and cleaned it out with a coathanger. We'll see if that works. I also used a little shrink wrap around the module, just till I'm sure it works right. I don't understand why that big tube culminates in a little peep hole, that sorta sounds like my wife. I guess things like that and trying to reach old number 7 plug is the price we pay to be fast and hip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Ya' got it, that should work. One way to tell is take a drive with the air conditioner on. Then park the car and look for a tell tell puddle of water under the car right near the passenger side wheel well, if there is a puddle of water, the drain is working.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
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From: Eddy Texas
If you are able to reach the hose by chance, take it off and cut the "crimp" off of the end. It will be less likely to get plugged up if you do. Later models had no crimp on the end of the hose for that reason.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Ortonville Michigan
Guys,
Your suggestions and my coathanger seems to have worked. Just got back from a hour drive with the AC on. The floor isn't wet and there is a nice puddle under the passenger side of the car. I'll have to keep my eye on that and try to snip off the end if I can get my hand up there. I know that space is tightin the Vette, but that seems to be a odd place to put the evaporator or is it a plan? To have a little piece of rubber get clogged up and drip exactly on the engine module. Kinda guarantees a large repair bill just about the time the warantee expires. Pretty crafty, them engineers. And don't tell me they didn't think about that. Someone should issue a bulletin or something. Well, thanks to all you guys for your help. Happy Vetting!
Your suggestions and my coathanger seems to have worked. Just got back from a hour drive with the AC on. The floor isn't wet and there is a nice puddle under the passenger side of the car. I'll have to keep my eye on that and try to snip off the end if I can get my hand up there. I know that space is tightin the Vette, but that seems to be a odd place to put the evaporator or is it a plan? To have a little piece of rubber get clogged up and drip exactly on the engine module. Kinda guarantees a large repair bill just about the time the warantee expires. Pretty crafty, them engineers. And don't tell me they didn't think about that. Someone should issue a bulletin or something. Well, thanks to all you guys for your help. Happy Vetting!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 5
From: Naples Florida
There is an L shaped rubber drain that is designed to drain the AC condensor. It often gets plugged up and will then back up water into the passenger floorboard area. Find it and make sure it is draining properly. Failure to do so will allow water to enter the Body control module (computer) that is also in the wheel well area of the passenger compartment. That can get veryyyyyyyyy expensive......
thare are a couple of threads on this BB discussing how to identigy that drain.... use the search.
thare are a couple of threads on this BB discussing how to identigy that drain.... use the search.
I had the same problem and poking it with a wire did not work. I ran it up on ramps and put a shop vac on it. I have had no problems since.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: Ortonville Michigan
I actually put the hanger wire on a drill and spun it around a few seconds an couple of times. I augmented to tip a bit. That seemed to do the trick. Different solutions to the same problem, how inventive we are.
