Wet feet

[PeterG]

It's been in the 90's for days here in Chicago. I was driving with my windows down, A/C on, and enjoying living in America and owning a C5.

Suddenly I noticed there was a puddle of clear, pure water on my passenger-side floor mat. It was dripping in a stream when I accelerated and dripping slowly while I was driving.

Isn't there a drain tube for this water that condenses on the cold parts of the A/C system instead of letting it drip on my passenger's feet? Shouldn't all that condensed water drain directly out through a tube? No condensed water drips inside the car when I drive with the windows closed and let the interior cool down. Could my condensed water drain tube be partly clogged?

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

My first thought is the heater core! (BIG panic attack!) That is what a leak like that would be on my 1978, I have no idea about the C5s... I'd call your dealership and ask about the possilbility of it being a drain tube or the heater core.

I hope it isn't the heater core.
Heidi

 

[DRTH VTR]

I think that there is a drainage tube that can become plugged. Someone with more specific information will chime in soon. It would not be clear and colorless if it was coolant.

 

[65-to-00]

heater core

If it's the heater or a hose you will smell the glycol and it's slippery and



WARNING .... DO NOT taste it, it's poison ... but sweet, that's how some dogs and cats die .... when you drain your anti-freeze in the gutter they will lap it and usually die or live with "fits" and convulsions if they survive.
:nono

Sometimes the drain tubes will become clogged with an algae/moldy growth.

 

[cruzer99]

There is a drain hose that comes out from the firewall on the passenger side that does get pluged with dirt and road gunk. If it is pluged the floor mats/carpeting on the passenger side will be wet and will mildue if you don't fix the drain. A quick way to check the drain is to run the a/c for a while, shut it off, park the car and watch for a puddle of water under car near where the drain is. If there is no condensation puddle, the drain is pluged.
Good luck.........

 

[Bounty Hunter 6]

There is a drain hose that comes out from the firewall on the passenger side that does get pluged with dirt and road gunk. If it is pluged the floor mats/carpeting on the passenger side will be wet and will mildue if you don't fix the drain. A quick way to check the drain is to run the a/c for a while, shut it off, park the car and watch for a puddle of water under car near where the drain is. If there is no condensation puddle, the drain is pluged.
Good luck.........

Exactly right, I had this problem in one of my other cars, and the drain hose just had to be unplugged from dirt and road gunk. There was a LOT of water on the passenger side, I just had to let it dry for a while! Good luck, hope it's fixed soon!

 

[PeterG]

Thanks very much for all the help.

Before I crawl under the car, remove the battery, or do some other dumb stuff... how do I locate and access the drain tube?

Is it accessible from the top or do I need to crawl under and look up? Does it stick out from the firewall or does it blend and hide?

 

[cruzer99]

Put the car on a rack so you can get it from the underside. It is just below the battery box and against the firewall. It is 1/4 or 3/8 dia rubber tube at a right angle pointing down. If you are lucky, you might be able to get a wire in it and get it opened up. If not you should remove it (pulls off but sometimes a bi#$th to get back on). The clog is usually at the elbow (90 deg bend).
Have fun.....

 

[PeterG]

Thanks for the directions. Now I'll be able to confront and win the battle of the drain tube in the next days.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

PeterG,


Excellent post with information and another link with pictures: http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71344


Good luck - this can cause considerable damage and inconvenience. Email me if you have any questions.