I wanted to report a problem that I encounter with my A/C system. As most know the A/C systems get moisture from condensation and this must be drained to the exterior or one will end up with moldy carpet and wet feet.
Recently a passenger complained that she noticed water dripping on her feet. Later I noticed water soaked passenger carpet and some water near my gas pedal. Since it had been raining a lot lately I assumed that I had some leaking seals and proceeded to dismantle the cowling under the hood and below the windshield. I removed everything and cleaned and inspected all the seals and applied copious amounts of automotive silicone sealant in various areas. I even followed the procedures on the TSB for water leaks on some 06-07 RAVs, although it did not apply to my 08 RAV. I invested several hours doing this.
Days later I learned that this did not fix anything when leaking water reappeared. :doh:
Disappointed and puzzled I realized I was back to square one. I then decided to check the drain hose on the A/C system. It is located on the passenger side near the center under the dashboard. I pulled the carpeting away from the center dash and away from the top of the foot well to expose the A/C ‘box’. To access this area I had to nearly position myself upside down, holding a small flash light by my teeth and using my hands to inspect the area. I noticed a black hose exiting the A/C box and assumed this was the drain hose. I learn I was right when I removed the hose and got a surprise when about a pint of water sprayed me in the face. :egad:
Apparently the hose was clogged and water was being retained in the plenum or some area of the A/C. After cleaning myself off and the now even wetter carpet, I traced the black hose that came from the A/C to the center of the passenger floor board just above the upward curve. It was easily removed for inspection and servicing. I used my shop compressed air to blow through the hose. It was definitely plugged up. Unfortunately I never saw what rocketed out the other end. I then used a water hose to flush/clean the hose out.
Everything went back together easily and a week later it appears that I found and fixed the source of the water leak in the cabin.
If you get a similar water leak check the A/C drain hose first. :thumbs_up:
Recently a passenger complained that she noticed water dripping on her feet. Later I noticed water soaked passenger carpet and some water near my gas pedal. Since it had been raining a lot lately I assumed that I had some leaking seals and proceeded to dismantle the cowling under the hood and below the windshield. I removed everything and cleaned and inspected all the seals and applied copious amounts of automotive silicone sealant in various areas. I even followed the procedures on the TSB for water leaks on some 06-07 RAVs, although it did not apply to my 08 RAV. I invested several hours doing this.
Days later I learned that this did not fix anything when leaking water reappeared. :doh:
Disappointed and puzzled I realized I was back to square one. I then decided to check the drain hose on the A/C system. It is located on the passenger side near the center under the dashboard. I pulled the carpeting away from the center dash and away from the top of the foot well to expose the A/C ‘box’. To access this area I had to nearly position myself upside down, holding a small flash light by my teeth and using my hands to inspect the area. I noticed a black hose exiting the A/C box and assumed this was the drain hose. I learn I was right when I removed the hose and got a surprise when about a pint of water sprayed me in the face. :egad:
Apparently the hose was clogged and water was being retained in the plenum or some area of the A/C. After cleaning myself off and the now even wetter carpet, I traced the black hose that came from the A/C to the center of the passenger floor board just above the upward curve. It was easily removed for inspection and servicing. I used my shop compressed air to blow through the hose. It was definitely plugged up. Unfortunately I never saw what rocketed out the other end. I then used a water hose to flush/clean the hose out.
Everything went back together easily and a week later it appears that I found and fixed the source of the water leak in the cabin.
If you get a similar water leak check the A/C drain hose first. :thumbs_up:
