2012 Prius C AC Drain Tube Location

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Sosa, Aug 13, 2025.

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  1. Sosa

    Sosa Junior Member

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    Hello,

    As the title suggests, I cannot, for the life of me, find the location of the ac condenser drain tube under the car. I can't even find it anywhere online either and it's driving me up a wall. I'm wanting to do a flush for it to remove bad odor. Any help here would be fantastic, thank you.
     
    #1 Sosa, Aug 13, 2025
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's not in front of the firewall like other prius?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 14, 2025
  3. Sosa

    Sosa Junior Member

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    I thought it would've been and maybe I'm just missing it but definitely having a difficult time finding it.
     
    #3 Sosa, Aug 15, 2025
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    might be a free service manual here:english-prius-c-manual-available.102440
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 16, 2025
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Just editorial, and it may help with searches: the AC "radiator" in the dash is called the "evaporator".

    The drain tube should be findable, likely on right underside. Maybe tucked in behind something. Are you able to raise the car safely?
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Aug 16, 2025
  6. Sosa

    Sosa Junior Member

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    I haven't been able to but I will be able to lift it on a ramp either Tuesday or Wednesday. Should give me a better look and I should be able to find it then hopefully. I'll use information provided by both of you and hopefully it gets me there.
     
    #6 Sosa, Aug 25, 2025
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  7. Sosa

    Sosa Junior Member

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    Okay, so I was able to raise it better and get under it. If anyone can confirm, this is the A/C evaporator drain tube, correct?
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 Sosa, Sep 3, 2025 at 6:12 PM
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think so, is there a drain for the front vent intake grids as well?
     
    #8 bisco, Sep 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
  9. Sosa

    Sosa Junior Member

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    Not that I was able to find, although I do think it's the same drain if I read it correctly.
     
    #9 Sosa, Sep 8, 2025 at 9:50 PM
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Run the ac on max cool for a few minutes and you will see water dripping out. It is behind the passenger's side inner wheel well close to the firewall.

    IMG_9743.jpeg

    IMG_9742.jpeg

    IMG_9741.jpeg

    Without a shop lift you need to jack up the front passenger side or the whole front end. I used to remove the front passenger's wheel to access the drain hose and then inject the foam cleaner into the evaporator. After a few minutes the foam liquifies and drains out. You then repeat. After a few cans over a two year span the mold does not return.

    Early on I added the drain hose extension which allows access on the ground with the wheel turned as shown. I can reach in and pull the hose toward me to inject foam.
     
    #10 rjparker, Sep 8, 2025 at 11:22 PM
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2025 at 11:36 PM
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