5 Reasons Why Your Vehicle’s AC Leaks Water

The car air conditioning system is one of the most important components of your vehicle. It keeps the air temperature of your vehicle’s interior cool and comfortable during those warm summer months. When you notice that your car’s AC doesn’t provide as much cool air as it should, then it’s time to consider having it checked by the professionals .

One common sign that your vehicle’s air conditioning system needs special attention is when you notice that water is leaking from under the front of the car or inside the cabin near the passenger side. There are numerous reasons why this happens. Let us explore five of the most common reasons why a vehicle’s air conditioner leaks water.

1. Blockage in the Condensate Drain Pipe

A warning sign that your car’s condensate drain might be blocked is when you notice the water leaking inside your vehicle. If you find your car’s floor getting wet with water whenever you turn your car’s air conditioner on, then it’s time to check your condensate drain. A blocked condensate drain keeps the water from draining outside your vehicle, causing the water to overflow inside the car instead.

How to solve this?

Unblocking a condensate drain is usually easy to do, as long as you are familiar with your car’s parts and engine. First, you need to find the condensate drain hose, which is usually located at the rear of the engine on the passenger side.

When you’ve located it, squeeze or bend the hose to release any debris inside. You may also carefully insert a screwdriver to clear the hose. Be very careful when doing this to avoid any damage inside the ventilation system. If you’re not confident in doing this on your own, it’s better to consult an auto air conditioning professional, just to be safe.

2. The Condensate Drain is Not Properly Attached to the Ventilation System

Another possible reason why your car’s air conditioner is leaking water inside your vehicle is because the condensate drain is not properly attached to the ventilation system. This prevents the drain from doing its job of draining the water outside, under the car.

How to solve this?

If you are familiar with your vehicle’s parts and if you’re okay to get your hands dirty, you may try to solve this on your own.

First, you need to locate the condensate drain, which can be found under the evaporator (the evaporator is usually located inside the passenger compartment) and at the lowest point in your vehicle’s ventilation system. Attach the condensate drain properly to the ventilation system and check if it runs outside your vehicle.

If you’re in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional technician.(Source: Sandgate Auto Electrics & Air Conditioning)