A car’s A/C system is designed to keep the air temperature of its interior comfortable and cool, especially during warm summer months. Due to various factors such as age, the system may experience different forms of failure and problems from time to time. One of these issues includes water leaks. This kind of leak may occur inside the cabin or under the front of the car. Let’s find out what a water leak can mean for your auto A/C:
Broken Condensate Drain Pan
Wear and tear or old age are some of the reasons that can cause your car’s condensate drain pan to break or rust. If the pan is broken, automotive accidents are causes that cannot be ruled out. When a condensate drain pan is damaged, water can start leaking from the A/C system. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to replace the broken condensate drain pan. Getting it checked by an auto repair professional will be a good idea as well.
Blocked or Dirty Air Filters
Over time, moisture and dust can lead to dust accumulation in your car’s A/C’s air filter. That’s why you should check and service your car’s A/C system at least once annually. This is an essential practice to keep your air filters clean. Now, when your air filters have too much debris, it will become blocked. When this happens, your evaporator coils may freeze up. This causes excess water to overflow from the drainage system. All in all, prevention is better than cure. So, make sure you facilitate regular A/C servicing for your car.
Insufficient Refrigerant
A car’s A/C system requires a certain amount of refrigerant to ensure proper cool air circulation. When the refrigerant level drops excessively, the pressure in the A/C system decreases as well. When the pressure is too low, the evaporator coils can ice up and freeze. Water in the condensate drain pan will then overflow and cause a leak. If you are experiencing this issue, send your car to an auto shop. You will need to check the refrigerant levels and refill it as needed.
Ventilation System and Condensate Drain are Not Attached Properly
A water leak can also occur when you fail to attach the ventilation system and the condensate drain securely. If this happens, the drain cannot perform its job properly, i.e. drain the water outside, under the car. To solve the issue, you need to first locate the condensate drain. It is often located under the evaporator (passenger side) and at the lowest point of the vehicle’s ventilation system. Once the components have been located, attach them together securely and check if it runs outside your car.
Blocked Condensate Drain Pipe
If water leaks inside your car after turning the A/C on, it may indicate that your condensate drain has been blocked by something. Since water cannot drain outside your car, the water overflows inside the car instead. Fortunately, blocked condensate drains are easy to fix if you are familiar with your car’s parts and engine. Firstly, you need to locate the condensate drain hose. Secondly, simply bend or squeeze the hose to release any debris inside. In some cases, you may need to cautiously insert a screwdriver to push out stubborn debris.
It is normal for one’s A/C system to leak water outside his or her car from time to time. However, the alarm is raised when you start noticing water inside your vehicle whenever the A/C is in use. In this case, it is better to consult a professional.
If you have any A/C issues such as water leaks, do not hesitate to call and speak to one of our certified technicians. You can contact R & Y A/C Compressors by calling 877-759-8070 or sending an email to [email protected].