Air Con Water Leak

[skippy 2]

I have had water in the drivers side footwell which puzzled me. It happened when it wasn't raining over a couple of weeks. I thought it could be heater coolant but it was clean water which had no smell and I wasn't losing water. I had been using the aircon on and off as it helps clear the windows quicker This is when the water appeared. I have looked on the forum to what I can do, I have lifted the carpet and plastic trim around the door also dismantled bits of trim from around the bottom of the gear tunnel also took glove box out to try to find the aircon drain pipe which I suspect is blocked and this is probably why water is appearing. I have since stopped using the aircon and used ECON only and the water has stopped. I am still looking for this pipe can anyone point me in the right direction please. I have a 1998 mk1 2.8 galaxy.

[Bigjeeze]

I have had water in the drivers side footwell which puzzled me. It happened when it wasn't raining over a couple of weeks. I thought it could be heater coolant but it was clean water which had no smell and I wasn't losing water. I had been using the aircon on and off as it helps clear the windows quicker This is when the water appeared. I have looked on the forum to what I can do, I have lifted the carpet and plastic trim around the door also dismantled bits of trim from around the bottom of the gear tunnel also took glove box out to try to find the aircon drain pipe which I suspect is blocked and this is probably why water is appearing. I have since stopped using the aircon and used ECON only and the water has stopped. I am still looking for this pipe can anyone point me in the right direction please. I have a 1998 mk1 2.8 galaxy.

 

 

To the best of my recollection the drain for the Air con is under the bonnet down the back of the engine - It is a black plastic/rubber pipe that is plugged inot the bulkhead. In niormal operation you can see water puddling underneath it. It should be relatively easy to find and esnure it is clear. Have you checked the usual culprits? The drains either side of the bulkhead - You will have to remove the plastic inner wing to ensure they are clear.

 

Good luck!

[chrispb123456]

I have had water in the drivers side footwell which puzzled me. It happened when it wasn't raining over a couple of weeks. I thought it could be heater coolant but it was clean water which had no smell and I wasn't losing water. I had been using the aircon on and off as it helps clear the windows quicker This is when the water appeared. I have looked on the forum to what I can do, I have lifted the carpet and plastic trim around the door also dismantled bits of trim from around the bottom of the gear tunnel also took glove box out to try to find the aircon drain pipe which I suspect is blocked and this is probably why water is appearing. I have since stopped using the aircon and used ECON only and the water has stopped. I am still looking for this pipe can anyone point me in the right direction please. I have a 1998 mk1 2.8 galaxy.

 

 

To the best of my recollection the drain for the Air con is under the bonnet down the back of the engine - It is a black plastic/rubber pipe that is plugged inot the bulkhead. In niormal operation you can see water puddling underneath it. It should be relatively easy to find and esnure it is clear. Have you checked the usual culprits? The drains either side of the bulkhead - You will have to remove the plastic inner wing to ensure they are clear.

 

Good luck!

As BJ has said behind engine/gearbox area, pipe sticks straight out from bulkhead, if pipe is blocked check for badly fitted/dirty pollen filter.

[Dave-G]

I'd look at where the drain pipe connects to the (condenser?) behind the lower central dash, it's probably become detached.

[skippy 2]

I'd look at where the drain pipe connects to the (condenser?) behind the lower central dash, it's probably become detached.

I think that this sounds good Dave-G only I couldn't see anything when I took the plastic trim from the middle bottom of the dash. All was dry and no sign of any pipe. The pipe that has been suggested behind the engine I have found and put a tyre compresser on it but no water came out. Do you think that this pipe is a little high to be a drain I would assosiate a drain pipe being lower down. All usual culprits have been checked for blockages but as said I have been getting water during a 2 week period with no rain. I know that all areas need to be checked but i am convinced this problem is to do with the aircon. There was suggested that a badly fitted pollen filter can block the pipe does the pollen filter come into contact with this pipe. Thanks in advance for all the probabilities keep them coming I will get to the bottom of this and solve so many other questions assosiated with water in the drivers footwell.

[chrispb123456]

I'd look at where the drain pipe connects to the (condenser?) behind the lower central dash, it's probably become detached.

I think that this sounds good Dave-G only I couldn't see anything when I took the plastic trim from the middle bottom of the dash. All was dry and no sign of any pipe. The pipe that has been suggested behind the engine I have found and put a tyre compresser on it but no water came out. Do you think that this pipe is a little high to be a drain I would assosiate a drain pipe being lower down. All usual culprits have been checked for blockages but as said I have been getting water during a 2 week period with no rain. I know that all areas need to be checked but i am convinced this problem is to do with the aircon. There was suggested that a badly fitted pollen filter can block the pipe does the pollen filter come into contact with this pipe. Thanks in advance for all the probabilities keep them coming I will get to the bottom of this and solve so many other questions assosiated with water in the drivers footwell.

Hi there

Just like to make a bit clearer what I suggested about badly fitting pollen filter, if the filter at some point hadn't been refitted properly leaves dirt and debris will find it's way down the air intake, blocking the drain tube from inside.

Also been suggested about the drains either side if they get blocked with the same the plenum chamber can flood with rain water, that water then flows through the pollen filter into the heater and onto the floor/carpet.

You said you only noticed this after using aircon but to be honest I think your aircon unit would have a problem creating any significant condensed water with the air temperatures we've had the last few weeks as aircon system even in A1 condition is virtually ineffective below 2-3 deg, it's only in warm summer temperatures you will get an amount water dripping from the drain.

Is it possible this wetness could have been building up over a few months? it's not unknown for a badly bonded windscreen to leak water in, it can run down the bulkhead inside the car and run underneath the carpet soaking into the sound deadening then up into the carpet.

Also on here recently another member noticed on removing the plastic wheel arch liners that there was a hole where the metal had rotted away allowing water to seep in

[Bigjeeze]

One other possible springs to mind - Do you have a sunroof? I recall tha soemone on here recently had a leak that was traced to the Sun roof drains being blocked or had come apart. If you have a sun roof that might be worth exploring.

[Dave-G]

I'd look at where the drain pipe connects to the (condenser?) behind the lower central dash, it's probably become detached.

I think that this sounds good Dave-G only I couldn't see anything when I took the plastic trim from the middle bottom of the dash. All was dry and no sign of any pipe. The pipe that has been suggested behind the engine I have found and put a tyre compresser on it but no water came out. Do you think that this pipe is a little high to be a drain I would assosiate a drain pipe being lower down. All usual culprits have been checked for blockages but as said I have been getting water during a 2 week period with no rain. I know that all areas need to be checked but i am convinced this problem is to do with the aircon. There was suggested that a badly fitted pollen filter can block the pipe does the pollen filter come into contact with this pipe. Thanks in advance for all the probabilities keep them coming I will get to the bottom of this and solve so many other questions assosiated with water in the drivers footwell.

 

ISTR having distillate drip on my clutch foot when rested on the footrest sort of area a few years ago might even be in an old post of mine: So I refer to the lower central dash rather than the centre console area. I can see where you got that idea from - I am mildly dyslexic, sorry. As Chris says though, there would be precious little distillate at this time of year, possibly unless you keep the A/C on recirc and it's drying out your carpets from where snow has melted from your shoes perhaps - a very big perhaps. :(

 

Other posters make good points regarding the source of the leak - and bear in mind that we have actually had rain - but in the form of snow, and don't forget freezing fog and frost is also water settling then dripping somewhere.

[skippy 2]

Thanks for the replies, I will keep looking and checking until I find the answer.