[Tazio Nuvolari]

Wet carpet and passenger's floor? Here's how to simply unclog the drain tube. Video is of 2020 Camry and the 5th gen RAV is the same.

same.

 

[JFox562]

If I'm not mistaken, this is that tube on the inside of the passenger compartment on the RAV4

It connects to a fitting behind to the right of the red arrow

When you pull the carpet down a bit, there is another connection. Probably a hard plastic tube to go through the floor, then to the ground.

 

[Variman]

Is there any way to prevent this from happening? Does running the A/C with outside fresh air instead of recirculate help? Any truth to spraying Lysol in the intake vents from time to time? Would it help to blow compressed air from the cabin side tube under the rug?

 

[JFox562]

Is there any way to prevent this from happening? Does running the A/C with outside fresh air instead of recirculate help? Any truth to spraying Lysol in the intake vents from time to time? Would it help to blow compressed air from the cabin side tube under the rug?

To tell you the truth, not sure what causes clogging. The video eluded to spiders but I have never had a clogged drain.

I would assume that if you have the Auto climate control, even in the winter the A/C compressor will be used to remove moisture in the cabin. This being said, if you use the A/C system enough to keep the drain flushed, it should reduce clogging. This is however a theory since spiders can make a home if you don't drive the car much to keep it flushed.

To your question about flushing from the inside out, it all depends on where it gets clogged. If it's clogged inside the A/C box where the drain tube attaches, then no. Back flushing like he did with compressed air dislodged a blockage anywhere in the drain tube system including the exit point out of the A/C box.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Is there any way to prevent this from happening? Does running the A/C with outside fresh air instead of recirculate help?

CarCareNut on YouTube has said to turn your A/C to fresh air intake from recirculate every day when you are about a mile from home to help prevent clogging and foul odors. I just leave mine on fresh air unless it's very hot or cold.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Would it help to blow compressed air from the cabin side tube under the rug?

Please note: you have to use an air compressor to do it like in the video -- air in a can (keyboard cleaner) is not strong enough.Blowing air from the bottom of the car like in the video is the quickest and easiest way. If it for whatever reason it didn't work you could disconnect the hose to the floor tube and do it from the top or even run a wire or coat hanger down it. However that won't clean the upper hose going under the dash to the A/C. You could I suppose blow air up the disconnected upper hose from inside the car and catch any liquid that comes out in a container.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Any truth to spraying Lysol in the intake vents from time to time?

Wouldn't hurt. Would smell good for a short time. Some people swear this is a good method on YouTube. I don't think it would prevent clogs which are basically algae from stagnant water-- not spiders as the guy says in the video. Using fresh air instead of recirculate dries the innards of the entire A/C system out.

 

[Variman]

So far in Florida I have only had water on the passenger carpet one time in 30 years due to the drain tube becoming disconnected under the floor mat. I will use fresh air more often though.

On a side note, I try to run the heater from time to time to circulate coolant in the heater core. Not much use for heat in South Florida.

Ironically, all XSEs in 2019 from Southeast Toyota came with the weather package that includes a heated steering wheel and heater windshield! Perhaps I will use if/when I travel so don't mind having.

 

[FKHeath]

Wet carpet and passenger's floor? Here's how to simply unclog the drain tube. Video is of 2020 Camry and the 5th gen RAV is the same.

same.

There is a factory T-SB on this issue because there was debris in the drain tube from the factory on some vehicles. The solution in the T-SB applies no matter the source of the debris: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10209001-9999.pdf

 

[Turtlepowa]

Reminds me of a TSB subaru had out. They had issues like this, and their "fix" was to cut a little bit off the end of the drain tube so spiders couldn't crawl from the lower control arm up into the drain tube. I guess it does happen, but the drain tube on that camry seems to be in a good location

 

[SoNic67]

Find the drain line end outside, under the car, and insert the Kima cleaner special plastic hose in it. It will dislodge any blockage and then you can apply spray.