Hooooo boy, has it been a humid summer! I’ve never been more thankful for the air conditioned comfort of our family car, keeping us cool over the school holidays as we’ve made our way from one holiday destination to the next. It’s a long way from the days of peeling hot, sticky legs off the vinyl bench seat of our 1971 Holden HQ ute! So what happens when AC water is leaking in your car? Stay cool this summer with our tips on leaky air conditioning.
Is it normal for a car AC unit to leak water?
It’s normal for a small amount of water to drip or leak from under the front of your car from time to time if your air conditioning system has been operating for a long time or under particularly hot conditions. This is the result of condensation from the cooling mechanisms that are hard at work, particularly if it’s a scorcher of a day. Take a close look at the puddle to make sure it’s not a sign of something more serious; condensation should be clear and non-odorous. If the leak has a tint (particularly yellow/green) or smells sweet, you might be observing a coolant leak, which will need immediate attention to prevent costly damage to your vehicle.
If you notice water leaking from under the front of your car on a regular basis, or you’ve got a leak inside the vehicle, it’s time to bring your car in to see us at Cox Auto for an expert car air conditioning service. We’ll check over your condensate drain pan and pipes and identify the fault for you. We use the RobinAir AC650 Pro, one of Europe’s most popular air conditioning service units. It allows us to provide accurate air conditioning recovery, recycling and recharging. It also provides refrigerant and oil specifications tailored to individual vehicles, and guarantees a rapid and full dehydration of the air conditioning system.
How much water should drain from my car AC?
Your car AC works hard all year around, but particularly in the summer and even more so in humid conditions. As the refrigerant gas in the AC changes states, it absorbs and extracts heat and humidity from the cabin; generating cool, dry air in its place. That humidity becomes liquid, so it’s natural that water should be expelled as it drains. But any water draining from your car AC should be a drip, not a waterfall! Any more than a saucer-sized patch is a concern.
3 reasons why AC water is leaking in your car
1. Your condensate drain is blocked
If you’ve got a leak inside your vehicle, it will likely present in the form of a wet patch in the front passenger well. Unless the lid on your emotional support water bottle hasn’t been tightly secured, it’s likely that your car’s condensate drain is blocked. A blockage here can stop water from draining outside your car, resulting in overflow to the passenger floor mat.
2. Your condensate drain isn’t attached to the ventilation system properly
Another common cause of ‘wet car mat’ syndrome is if the connection between the condensate drain and ventilation system has come loose. Again, water that would otherwise drain outside has nowhere to go but where you stash your handbag when you’re making that quick trip to the shops!
3. Your air conditioning needs regassing
To keep circulating cool air effectively, your car AC needs a certain level of refrigerant gas. If this level drops too low, it can result in a drop in pressure that may cause the evaporator coils to ice over, which may result in an overflow in your condensate drain pan. If this is the case, you may also have noticed that your air conditioning system initially blows cool air and then very rapidly loses its cool. It’s important to have this looked at by a professional, as working with refrigerants can be unsafe and damaging to you and the environment.
How do I stop my AC unit from leaking water inside my car?
If you suspect that your condensate drain is blocked and feel confident in identifying the right parts under the bonnet, you can gently unblock it by locating the condensate drain hose (usually at the read of the engine on the passenger side) and squeezing or maneuvering it to release any debris or blockage. Don’t risk doing further damage if you’re not confident; it’s far safer to leave AC repairs to the professionals!
Book a service today
Is AC water leaking in your car? Trust your instincts with your car’s air conditioning – if it doesn’t seem normal, get it checked out. Like almost everything when it comes to the health of your car, the best cure for faulty air conditioning is prevention, so keep up that regular service history! Drop in or give us a call. We’re always happy to talk you through your concerns and help where we can.
When you book your car in for an air conditioning repair or service, you can trust that your car is in good hands. The team at Cox Auto are ARC-authorised and licensed car air conditioning technicians. We’ll keep your car cool and on the road, and if your air conditioning needs a full service, we’ll keep you on the move with our premium service experience. Ask about our complimentary loan cars and flexible prepayment options.
