A/C drain line

[edthefox5]

Originally Posted by bbald123

Algae and bacteria commonly build-up and clog AC drain lines. But, you're right, usually the water will drip into the passenger cabin.

Ok...I like that but I have lived in Florida since 1982. Owned 35 cars since then..some new..some old..and always drive with AC on. Never once had a clogged AC line. Not once. Never had a stinky AC either or I would have sold it pronto much less than a stinky ac from a car 2 months old. I don't smoke. Car is detailed to the max. No pets in the car hardly ever except a very clean Sheltie once in a blue moon. Only me & the wife. I clean the cabin filter weekly. Its algae build up for sure but only on this car's system.

[sfaughnan]

Went to the dealer today when I found the carpet under my floor mat wet last night. Previously read about cleaning the cabin air filter here, so it was clean. Asst Svc Mgr initially said "probably no charge" for clearing what I the suspected was a clogged a/c drain line. I have owned cars near 40 years, and as a paramedic have the same years experience with other vehicles. I've had heater cores go-no missing the antifreeze smell, color and feel. I never heard of clogged a/c drain line with a soaking wet carpet! I was not expecting what happened next. The ASM brought me to his office (everyone else he spoke to in the waiting room-oh oh!), and he told me the charge was $60, and carpet replacement is $1,300, if I would like that done. The tech said he had to clear the a/c drain hose "with a special tool," but didn't tell me where the hose was when I asked, so I might see for myself. (BTW Thanks for the direction to find it). It's out of warranty, and reading these posts sounds as if Toyota is not interested in seeing this as a system engineering issue. I still don't see how the water came into the front passenger floor, but I do not want it to happen again. Adding insult to injury the tech orASM noted "removed a gallon of water from clogged a/c drain line. Must be one large thick line, except forthe ? gallon in my carpet. I am calling the Toyota number listed to note the issue for what good it may do. Any more suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

[pointelin]

Originally Posted by edthefox5

Yes I'm quite familiar with it. I saw your other AC post too and I doubt your drain is getting clogged. If it was the carpet up front would be soaked as the water will have to go somewhere. You'll know real quick if its clogged. Why is it getting clogged? Whats the condition of the cabin filter? It would take alot of debris to clog the drain line resulting in a clogged e-coil also.That debris would first have to get by the cabin filter...then through the e-coil but anyway:
If you lay down right behind the front pass wheel about 2 feet in is a little black rubber hose
thats jutting out of the firewall at a 70 degree angle. Put the air on full blast and you'll quickly see water dripping from it. You'll quickly see it but you cannot reach it without jacking the car up or putting the car on a lift.
Good luck & welcome to the STINKY PRIUS AC CLUB. You owe us membership dues btw.

My husband's 2005 Prius has had this problem twice now. We first found the passenger floorboard soaked in April 2008, and again just this week. Our mechanic says it is a clogged AC drain, but can't seem to tell us how to fix it. He says you have to pull the entire dash. If we jack the car up and find the hose, how do we clean it? Can we find the hose if it is clogged such that water is not dripping from under the car but into the cabin instead? If dues are less than $70 per year, we will certainly come out ahead on this game!

[icarus]

Blow the hose out with compressed air. If it happens more than once in a while try to find the underlying cause.

There is a product called Frigi-fresh or something like that that you can spray into the evaporator area to kill the musty, mildewy smell. Mould and mildew are not something that you want in the car!

Icarus.

[lenjack]

You can also clear it by poking a coat hanger or some such in the tube. We have two '98 Camry's that did this every 2 years.

[pointelin]

Originally Posted by lenjack

You can also clear it by poking a coat hanger or some such in the tube. We have two '98 Camry's that did this every 2 years.

We'll pick the car up from the mechanic today and see if we can find the tube. Hopefully, this will be easy and we can avoid future trips to the shop by being proactive with spraying the tube and changing the cabin filter at least quarterly. I assume that is often enough unless someone advises otherwise. Thanks.