 |
05-08-07, 02:10 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 319
| Stupid design, A/C drain location... OK, I know this might be a very minor complaint, but still hopefully a "good to know" for many.
The other day I was out for a while. When back in the garage I noticed a puddle of water under the truck. Strange, since I rarely run the A/C. Turns out that this time I accidentally had had it on for the trip into town and condensation water is what I saw on the garage floor.
A few weeks ago we did discuss/help soneone who likely had a clogged A/C drain, resulting in foul smell in the car.
That drain (see photo) drips straight down into the "cup" that forms the passenger side frame mount for the anti-sway bar. This is likely not a big issue in warmer/drier climates where moisture quickly will evaporate, but up here in the PacificNorthWest, running the A/C will result in water standing in this little "cup" and severely rusting one of the anchor bolts for the anti-sway bar.
Hence, for those concerned, I'd put a little extension on the drain pipe, and apply a liberal amount of anti rust stuff on this bolt/nut.
__________________ `99 LC100 - mainly stock (dog mobile) `03 Honda Element (wife's car) `91 300 ZX TT (sold - regrettably) `89 Audi 100 (given away) `87 Saab 900i (sold then totaled) `86 Saab 900 (sold for profit) |
| |
05-08-07, 02:46 PM
|
#2 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 348
| Sorry to be hijacking the thread...
After driving for 6 hours last weekend, I noticed that there was water drippage on the floor when I parked it. I did not have AC on though. I made sure that the AC was not on.
Any ideas on where the dripping water could have come from? It was raining throughout the first half of the drive but for the last 3 hours there was no rain. The location of the puddle was underneath the vehicle on the passenger side about a foot and a half or so inside of the front wheel.
__________________ 2000 UZJ100 - White (95K) Mobil 1 | 1993 Lexus ES300 - Dark Green (201K) |
| |
05-08-07, 03:22 PM
|
#3 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 319
| Highjacking? No worries. It is all about information sharing.
How much water? Could it have been water that was "stuck" inside plastic belly pan, or was it coolant?
If clear water, A/C off, there are really no sources of clear water except what rains down. Coolant will be green, and window washer fluid will be blue.
Look again and see if you can more clearly detect it.
__________________ `99 LC100 - mainly stock (dog mobile) `03 Honda Element (wife's car) `91 300 ZX TT (sold - regrettably) `89 Audi 100 (given away) `87 Saab 900i (sold then totaled) `86 Saab 900 (sold for profit) |
| |
05-08-07, 03:51 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 348
| The water was colorless/odorless and that was the reason I kept driving it despite the drip. Perhaps it was rainwater that collected somewhere.
I have not driven long distances since then and have not seen any more drip. Maybe I will have to wait until it drips again for a better diagnosis.
__________________ 2000 UZJ100 - White (95K) Mobil 1 | 1993 Lexus ES300 - Dark Green (201K) |
| |
05-09-07, 12:58 PM
|
#5 (permalink)
| | Forum Regular
Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 41 28'35"N 81 33'6"W
Posts: 155
| wc19, it's funny you'd mention this. Last weekend I was recharging my AC and staring into the engine bay out of boredom. I saw the discharge drain and thought, what a stupid place to put that. I had never noticed it before.
__________________ 2001 TLC, stock, Mobil-1 in the engine, diffs and t-case. 2003 Accord EX (dull, but a rare 5-speed) 1988 911 hardtop - sold. 2001 Honda Civic EX - Katrina victim 1995 Nissan Maxima SE - ditto 1983 Datsun 280ZX - converted to pure iron oxide |
| |
05-09-07, 01:11 PM
|
#6 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 319
| Yup, I agree.
Guess that's what happens when the body designers don't talk to the frame designers. :-)
But, seriously, even though I don't run the A/C much (only to keep it lubricated), I will put a little extension on the drain to prevent it from doing any more damage. Standing water is never a good thing.
__________________ `99 LC100 - mainly stock (dog mobile) `03 Honda Element (wife's car) `91 300 ZX TT (sold - regrettably) `89 Audi 100 (given away) `87 Saab 900i (sold then totaled) `86 Saab 900 (sold for profit) |
| |
09-06-07, 07:33 AM
|
#7 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 600
| I have noticed two different puddles coming from mine about 6 inches apart. Must be splitting somewhere and I need to get under and look. It's amazing how much water/condensation it produces, but I leave it on Auto most of the time which means it's on most of the time.
Is it normal for this A/C system to produce a good amount of condensation?
__________________ 06 LC, Toyo A/T 275/70/18 |
| |
09-06-07, 11:43 AM
|
#8 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: May 2003 Location: CA, Bay Area
Posts: 439
| I belive it is normal given that both of the brand new '07s I test drove left big puddles at the dealership after a short 10 minute trip. The 100 I came home with does the same thing. Sure blows cold!
__________________ 93 FZJ80 tripple locked, ARB front, 4x4 labs rear, metaltech sliders, snorked, 12K Warn, ready for Baja
73 FJ40 SOA 350/turbo 350, Saginaw, ARB Locked, 37" Baja Claws on 16" rims, snorked, 8274,disks, paki top
2007 AHC Lift, 285/65/18 Terra Graps, Slee Rear Bumper,TJM Front, 9K T-max |
| |
09-06-07, 12:46 PM
|
#9 (permalink)
| | 250+ Club
Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 319
| "good amount of condensation?"
It really all depends on humidity in the surrounding air, and how cold the A/C evaporator coils are. But if a lot of water, collect it. It is pure destilled water.... :-)
I don't run my A/C more than a few times a year to keep it lubed up. Really no need here in the Pacific Northwest. Even managed a full year in Texas (90ies) w/o a functioning A/C. sunroof open and all windows did it (expcept on the day when a suite was needed at the office).
__________________ `99 LC100 - mainly stock (dog mobile) `03 Honda Element (wife's car) `91 300 ZX TT (sold - regrettably) `89 Audi 100 (given away) `87 Saab 900i (sold then totaled) `86 Saab 900 (sold for profit) |
| |  | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | | | |