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Car Forum / Saturn Cars / July 2005

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Clearing out A/C condenser drain holes

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MPost - 20 Jul 2005 02:36 GMT
I believe the drain holes where condensate from my air conditioner drains
are plugged up. I don't see any water dripping on the ground when I run the
A/C and I get a faint smell of mildew when I first start up the fan.
Unfortunately, my Chilton's manual doesn't show where these holes are or how
to clear them out. Can anyone give me some pointers and/or point me to a
diagram on the internet?

Thanks in advance.
Mikus - 20 Jul 2005 03:43 GMT
I had a musty smell awhile back and fixed it without any disassemble or
work.

Try this first:

Close all the vents on the for the AC.
Put the Fan on full.
With the vents closed, the back pressure of the air may very well blow the
drains clear.

I also poured some bleach down there to kill the mold and muck.

>I believe the drain holes where condensate from my air conditioner drains
>are plugged up. I don't see any water dripping on the ground when I run the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance.
Mikus - 20 Jul 2005 04:05 GMT
Oh yes, I also believe you need it on reticulate.

>I had a musty smell awhile back and fixed it without any disassemble or
>work.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
MPost - 21 Jul 2005 03:04 GMT
Interesting idea. I tried the back pressure technique, but unfortunately, it
didn't work for me. Any other ideas on how to locate and clear the drain
holes?

> Oh yes, I also believe you need it on reticulate.
>
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance.
Jonnie Santos - 21 Jul 2005 04:50 GMT
> Interesting idea. I tried the back pressure technique, but unfortunately, it
> didn't work for me. Any other ideas on how to locate and clear the drain
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance.

Didn't see what model is being discussed - when I drove a 97 I pulled
the blower motor (3 screws) and poured a little water down the ducting
from the motor location towards the condenser housing and it dribbled
out in the engine bay from a black rubber L-shaped do-dad located low on
the firewall about midway.    When I had the warm and fuzzies it was
draining, I sprayed some (a lot) of anti-bacterial windex down the same
vent.  It worked for a long while.  I also paid to have it down at the
dealer - lasted maybe a little longer and smelled a lot cleaner (don't
know if that was just fragrance or the dealer did a more thorough/better
job).
MPost - 22 Jul 2005 12:22 GMT
>> Interesting idea. I tried the back pressure technique, but unfortunately,
>> it didn't work for me. Any other ideas on how to locate and clear the
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> lasted maybe a little longer and smelled a lot cleaner (don't know if that
> was just fragrance or the dealer did a more thorough/better job).
MPost - 22 Jul 2005 12:23 GMT
My car is a 93 SC-2. I'm a little surprised Chilton's doesn't show how the
drain works...sounds like a pretty basic operation that lots of people would
want to do for themselves.

>> Interesting idea. I tried the back pressure technique, but unfortunately,
>> it didn't work for me. Any other ideas on how to locate and clear the
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> lasted maybe a little longer and smelled a lot cleaner (don't know if that
> was just fragrance or the dealer did a more thorough/better job).
Art - 20 Jul 2005 14:31 GMT
Bleach is a bad idea.  Residue may damage coils.  Lysol spray is better
choice or purchase foam designed for the purpose from car dealership.  I am
surprised that back pressure could clear it.

>I had a musty smell awhile back and fixed it without any disassemble or
>work.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>
>> Thanks in advance.
Skip - 20 Jul 2005 22:02 GMT
> Bleach is a bad idea.  Residue may damage coils.  Lysol spray is better
> choice or purchase foam designed for the purpose from car dealership.  I am
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>>
>>>Thanks in advance.

I'd be worried about using bleach, especially when your drains are
clogged, unless you enjoy the smell of bleach :)  There are commercial
products made specifically for this, you dump it down the vent intake in
front of your windshield.  As for locating the drains, can't help you
there....

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Mikus - 22 Jul 2005 04:20 GMT
Now that you mention Lysol, It was indeed what I put down the vent, Not
Bleach.
It had been long enough since I did it, that I forgot.

>> Bleach is a bad idea.  Residue may damage coils.  Lysol spray is better
>> choice or purchase foam designed for the purpose from car dealership.  I
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
> front of your windshield.  As for locating the drains, can't help you
> there....
Semi Head - 26 Jul 2005 10:39 GMT
>Plugged or Clogged AC drain hole?

Possible fix:

What is very common is that the condensation from your vehicles
evaporator is NOT leaking out from the bottom of the black plastic
housing that has the evaporator inside.
There is a small drain HOLE or small drain TUBE that is located under
the evaporators black plastic housing that is PLUGGED UP with leaves,
debris, etc,etc.

You need to take somethin SOFT such as a plastic soda straw and climb
under the vehicle with a flashlight and locaate this HOLE or TUBE.
It should be about the size fo yout little finger. Insert the SOFT
PLASTIC straw up into this HOLE or tube and you will wind up with a WET
HAND and armpit.
NEVER EVER use a SCREW DRIVER or a STICK as you can poke a HOLE in the
aluminum evaporator and you will be spending $400.00 to have it
replaced.
 
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