Your car's air conditioner is an important feature that keeps you comfortable while you're on the road. However, there are times when the AC malfunctions in such a way that water starts leaking inside your car. When this occurs, don't fret! We have researched this problem and share helpful information below.
In general, if water is present on the floor of your car, you'll need to:
- Scan the AC's refrigerant level and refill it as required.
- Examine the AC's air filter and see if it's clogged. Clean it as needed.
- Clean the AC's condensate drainage pipe.
- Properly attach the drainage hose to your car's ventilation system.
- Replace the condensate drain pan.
That sounds easy enough! But stay tuned, because we will also address the causes of your car's air conditioner leakage and how you can stop it. We'll also cover some common questions that car owners have that are related to the topic. So keep on reading!
Why Is My AC Dripping Water Inside Car?
The air conditioner in your vehicle is a vital component that keeps the interior temperature warm and cool, depending on the weather. A malfunctioning air conditioner can be quite unpleasant. So it's best to address and fix the issues below appropriately.
Refrigerant Level Is Low
Your car's AC requires a particular amount of refrigerant to transmit cool air within the car. The pressure in the car's AC system drops as the refrigerant level falls. This leads the AC lines to freeze, resulting in a condensate drain pan overflowing and dripping water.
However, to solve this issue, you should hire an expert mechanic or have the car serviced to guarantee a good result.
Pro tip: We highly suggest that you consult your mechanic or service car shop if you don't have enough knowledge to do these jobs!
A Malfunctioning Condenser Fan
When your car's air conditioning system isn't cooling, it's not a smart idea to just add refrigerant. Consider checking your condenser fan to see if it is blowing enough air in the system.
This causes the pressure in your system to rise. However, this is not the only issue because it also puts your condenser and evaporator coils at risk.
See this Condenser Fan on Amazon.
A Clogged Air Filter
Over time the filter may become dirty, filled with debris and dust that can cause your AC's coils to freeze up. This can result in the condensate drainage being unable to properly drain the water outside your car. Instead, water will leak inside your car every time you use the AC.
Avoiding this issue may sound easy. But you must refer to the car's user manual to get a greater understanding of when to change your car's air filter. Generally, experts advise that you should change the air filter every 30,000 miles.
Check out this Air Filter on Amazon.
Worn-Out Seals
Plastic or O-ring seals are used in the air conditioning systems of your car. When these break, water will simply seep through them. In such cases, you may observe water pouring from the passenger side of the vehicle.
You can buy these seals in your nearest car shop to fix this issue. However, just make sure you get the exact model description before you make a purchase, so you can fix the problem and use your AC again with confidence.
Condensate Drain Pipe Installation Issues
As the AC gathers moisture from your car, this moisture becomes water. This water needs functional drainage in order to exit your car. So a poorly installed condensate drain pipe can leads to a water leakage inside your car.
You'll find the condensate drain pipe placed beneath the evaporator in the passenger compartment area. Gently pull the cap off of the pipe and then clean the edge of the pipe before reattaching it securely.
Signs Of Leakage
- You will hear a ticking or clicking sound when you turn on the AC.
- Your AC will cease to cool and begin to blow hot air inside your car.
- When your dashboard indicator suddenly shows flashing lights, then the system may experience a gradual loss of freon.
How To Unclog A Car's Air Conditioning Drain?
You may have a blockage in your car's air conditioning drain if you hear water splashing around in your dashboard while turning on the car's AC. Over time, these clogs can cause major harm to the whole AC system.
To unclog your car's AC drain properly, you'll have to:
- Safely park the car and engage the parking brake.
- Securely position your jack.
- Prepare a metal wire as a hook and use as needed.
- Find the AC drainage pipe.
- Carefully insert the metal wire and extract any possible debris.
Top tip: If you can afford to hire an expert mechanic, we suggest you let them do this job for you!
How To Fix Car AC Refrigerant Leak?
This is a complex procedure that requires a professional evaluation and the recharging of the air conditioning system. Your technician will initially infuse refrigerant into the system.
Because freon is transparent, it can be difficult to see where the leak is occurring. As a result, your mechanic will put dye into your car's air conditioning system, allowing you to see freon movement under UV light.
After that, you might need to test drive your car for a week or two before returning it to the technician for another check-up. This will allow the freon to circulate through the AC's system and expose any leaks.
Check out this video tutorial to find out how to inject dye into your car's AC system.
What Causes Car AC Freon To Leak?
We don't know exactly what causes freon to leak, but when an air compressor's fan fails, tiny bits of metal can fly throughout the car's AC system. This can cause damage to various air conditioner components, creating an opening for the refrigerant to leak.
In addition, your AC system is underneath your car and thus prone to damage from heat and debris. These are the leading potential causes for your car freon to leak.
A damaged seal, a leaky gasket, or any other faulty parts of your AC system can cause refrigerant leaks. Because freon runs throughout your entire cooling system, any component that leaks could be the cause.
Car AC Components
- Refrigerant
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Evaporator
- A/C hoses
- Receiver-Dryer
How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Leaking Car Air Conditioner?
A broken car air conditioner is an important problem that usually requires a call to an auto parts store. When something in the air conditioner fails, you may wonder how much it will cost. The answer to the question depends on the specific problem of the car's AC.
Installing New Air Conditioner
The entire unit may fail, and you may have to replace it with a new one. The cost of installing a new air conditioning system can range from $1,500 to $4,000.
However, depending on the year, brand, and model of your vehicle, the cost of installing a new AC system could be considerably higher.
Leaking Cost
You should determine the source of any puddles developing beneath your vehicle. The source could be anywhere, but you should have your mechanic examine your air conditioner.
Depending on the degree of the damage, you might expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $800.
System Evaluation Cost
You should expect to pay around $100 and $300 for a mechanic to evaluate the system and see how it works. The check-up includes checking the connectors, belts, and hoses. The mechanic will finish with a fresh refrigerant recharge.
To Wrap Up
Throughout this post, we shared a lot of helpful information, such as why your car is dripping water inside and how to prevent and stop your car's air conditioner leakage. What's more, we shared information on how to unclog your car's AC drain pipe.
A simple AC leak can cause serious damage to your entire car air conditioning system if the problem is left unaddressed. We hope that learning all of this significant information will help you avoid problems with AC leakage.
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