Please Help: Air Conditioner Leaking

[justcrash]

Ok, I have a 2007 Toyota Yaris S. It has issues. Usually it manages to suck up a piece of paper into the heating system and it sounds like a playing card stuck in a bicycle tire. No idea how to avoid that or fix it.

Now (and I gotta believe this is related) every time I turn a corner I hear water slushing behind my glove box. Water comes out and onto the carpet, and my car smells like mold.

This is the second time this has happened. The last time I took it in and they told me it was clogged?!? How is that possible and how do I avoid it? More importantly, how can I fix this? I don't want to be taking this thing in and paying to have this obvious flaw fixed every 6 weeks (it's been about that long since the last time I took it in). :(

[BDD]

You'll want to take apart the dashboard and get to the heater core. You're looking for broken hose, a bad clamp, or a cracked core. As far as it being clogged, I'm not sure how things are getting into your coolant. Are you changing the coolant at normal intervals? From what I understand, coolant eventually becomes corrosive and can eat gaskets that might end up in your cooling system (please correct if I'm wrong).

I believe the paper being sucked into the vent is unrelated to your heater core being clogged, but with the dashboard open, you might be able to take the stuck paper out.

It's important that you fix this issue fast or you may overheat and ruin the car. Aside from that, coolant isn't all that great to have leaking into your interior either.

[justcrash]

You'll want to take apart the dashboard and get to the heater core. You're looking for broken hose, a bad clamp, or a cracked core.

I believe the paper being sucked into the vent is unrelated to your heater core being clogged, but with the dashboard open, you might be able to take the stuck paper out.

It's important that you fix this issue fast or you may overheat and ruin the car. Aside from that, coolant isn't all that great to have leaking into your interior either.

Ok, no idea how to take the dash apart. Any links I can look at? I am pretty good about following instructions. :)

[justcrash]

You'll want to take apart the dashboard and get to the heater core. You're looking for broken hose, a bad clamp, or a cracked core. As far as it being clogged, I'm not sure how things are getting into your coolant. Are you changing the coolant at normal intervals? From what I understand, coolant eventually becomes corrosive and can eat gaskets that might end up in your cooling system (please correct if I'm wrong).

I believe the paper being sucked into the vent is unrelated to your heater core being clogged, but with the dashboard open, you might be able to take the stuck paper out.

It's important that you fix this issue fast or you may overheat and ruin the car. Aside from that, coolant isn't all that great to have leaking into your interior either.


Is it possible where I need to be is under the car?

[UTVitz]

There is a drain for your air conditioner coils-as the warm air passes over these super cold coils moisture forms-just like on the outside of a glass with a cold drink in it. The moisture forms enough to drip into a box and should go out a small tube to exit the car. But, if this tube has debris in it, i.e., leaves, paper,or whatever, the water is trapped and starts to grow moldy. I do not know where this tube is located to check-it is usually traceable from under the dash. At most you should only have to take the glove box out just like you were going to change the filter. But if you're not sure the dealer should fix this under warranty. Because, stuff should not get in there to clog it and if it is they need to find out why. Check your intake at the base of the windshield on the outside where the slots are-there should be a screen in it to protect from large stuff getting in there and if you have a filter in your ventilation make sure it's not falling apart-that's the only reason I can think you'd find paper in there. good luck.

[YarisSedan]

There is a drain for your air conditioner coils-as the warm air passes over these super cold coils moisture forms-just like on the outside of a glass with a cold drink in it. The moisture forms enough to drip into a box and should go out a small tube to exit the car. But, if this tube has debris in it, i.e., leaves, paper,or whatever, the water is trapped and starts to grow moldy. I do not know where this tube is located to check-it is usually traceable from under the dash. At most you should only have to take the glove box out just like you were going to change the filter. But if you're not sure the dealer should fix this under warranty. Because, stuff should not get in there to clog it and if it is they need to find out why. Check your intake at the base of the windshield on the outside where the slots are-there should be a screen in it to protect from large stuff getting in there and if you have a filter in your ventilation make sure it's not falling apart-that's the only reason I can think you'd find paper in there. good luck.

Thats your exact problem. The pipe either is clogged or got disconected and water is now leaking to the vehicle isntead of out the vehicle.

[justcrash]

Thats your exact problem. The pipe either is clogged or got disconected and water is now leaking to the vehicle isntead of out the vehicle.

So you guys are saying I can fix this myself? It's behind the glove box? How do I remove the glove box?

[silver_echo]

i am 99% sure that it is just: 1) open glove box 2) gently squeeze at rear of top of glove box 3) gently pull glove box out 4) then you will be looking at your cabin air filter location and if i remember right, your cooler box 4) make sure that there is nothing large sitting at the bottom of the cooler box 4) make sure that the drain hose is going through the appropriate hole in the firewall behind the cooler box... i think that should cover it, sorry that i do not have pictures...

[justcrash]

i am 99% sure that it is just: 1) open glove box 2) gently squeeze at rear of top of glove box 3) gently pull glove box out 4) then you will be looking at your cabin air filter location and if i remember right, your cooler box 4) make sure that there is nothing large sitting at the bottom of the cooler box 4) make sure that the drain hose is going through the appropriate hole in the firewall behind the cooler box... i think that should cover it, sorry that i do not have pictures...

Hey, that gives me something to work with, I'll give it a shot. :)

[yaris-me]

Hey, that gives me something to work with, I'll give it a shot. :)

I don't think it's behind the glove box. It is in the middle of the dash behind the heater, A/C knobs.

[justcrash]

I don't think it's behind the glove box. It is in the middle of the dash behind the heater, A/C knobs.

Tore it all apart (the glove box) all I found was the hose that the air drains out of and water did pour out of it. How do I get that part of the dash off?

[yaris-me]

dont think you need to. Youve found the drain tube. Need to stop leak.

[silver_echo]

dont think you need to. Youve found the drain tube. Need to stop leak.

NO! that needs to drain through the floorpan and pour to the pavement...

[marcus]

maybe that hose got cracks on it..

[CTScott]

The hose is probably partially blocked, causing water to backup in the condensate pan. Find the output of the hose under the car and stick a semi-rigid plastic item up it (long tie-wrap for example).

[silver_echo]

The hose is probably partially blocked, causing water to backup in the condensate pan. Find the output of the hose under the car and stick a semi-rigid plastic item up it (long tie-wrap for example).

good idea... try that... but do NOT force it in there... if it will not free up with GENTLE pressure, try another method...

[nisyota]

no fixes on this? Ive cleaned out my hose twice this year. im thinking of getting a new hose from homedepot...

its an easy job to unclog the hose, but its annoying that i have to do this....

[CTScott]

no fixes on this? Ive cleaned out my hose twice this year. im thinking of getting a new hose from homedepot...

its an easy job to unclog the hose, but its annoying that i have to do this....

After looking at the AC section of the service manual, I am mighty glad that I put the filter in within the first week that I bought the car.

If you look at the picture below, without the filter in place, anything that enters the outside intake has a direct path into the air box. With the filter there, you will prevent particulate from getting into the box, where it then plugs the drain and provides a breeding ground for molds. Even if you haven't had the drain fully plugged, the stuff that enters without the filter will stick to the walls of the box. So, if you've run without the filter for any period of time, before adding the filter it would make sense to disinfect the airbox as well as you can with something like Ozium or Lysol.

25907

[toast]

I don't know a permanent fix for this, but I can say I have seen this happen on fords and a jeep I used to own. Dusty roads and some overactive spiders seemed to be my main problem. I just carried a long zip tie and would ream it out a couple of times each summer once my mechanic friend clued me in.

[R2D2]

After looking at the AC section of the service manual, I am mighty glad that I put the filter in within the first week that I bought the car.

If you look at the picture below, without the filter in place, anything that enters the outside intake has a direct path into the air box. With the filter there, you will prevent particulate from getting into the box, where it then plugs the drain and provides a breeding ground for molds. Even if you haven't had the drain fully plugged, the stuff that enters without the filter will stick to the walls of the box. So, if you've run without the filter for any period of time, before adding the filter it would make sense to disinfect the airbox as well as you can with something like Ozium or Lysol.

25907

Yet another great reason to check and make sure one's Yaris is sporting a cabin filter (most aren't)! Glad I caught mine early on too.

CTScott you are always quick with the trouble-shooting and diagrams! Someone should give you an MVP (most valuable poster) award!

Thanks,

R2

[Lafiro]

After looking at the AC section of the service manual, I am mighty glad that I put the filter in within the first week that I bought the car.

If you look at the picture below, without the filter in place, anything that enters the outside intake has a direct path into the air box. With the filter there, you will prevent particulate from getting into the box, where it then plugs the drain and provides a breeding ground for molds. Even if you haven't had the drain fully plugged, the stuff that enters without the filter will stick to the walls of the box. So, if you've run without the filter for any period of time, before adding the filter it would make sense to disinfect the airbox as well as you can with something like Ozium or Lysol.

25907

Thanks! But I still cant find where the hose is under the car.

Still living with this distgusting smell, cant use the AC half the time.

[CTScott]

Thanks! But I still cant find where the hose is under the car.

Still living with this distgusting smell, cant use the AC half the time.

It can be hard to find from under. You can easily access it from about. Just have a pan or bucket under the hose as you clear it, so you don't get the output all over the carpet.

Here's where it is (top left side of the passenger footwell):
26199


Here's what it looks like when you pull it out of the flloor:
26200

[Lafiro]

Thank you!

[1stToyota]

Ok, I have a 2007 Toyota Yaris S. It has issues. Usually it manages to suck up a piece of paper into the heating system and it sounds like a playing card stuck in a bicycle tire. No idea how to avoid that or fix it.

Now (and I gotta believe this is related) every time I turn a corner I hear water slushing behind my glove box. Water comes out and onto the carpet, and my car smells like mold.

This is the second time this has happened. The last time I took it in and they told me it was clogged?!? How is that possible and how do I avoid it? More importantly, how can I fix this? I don't want to be taking this thing in and paying to have this obvious flaw fixed every 6 weeks (it's been about that long since the last time I took it in). :(

Paper could be getting sucked out of your glove box and getting to the blower wheel...but filter should prevent that, unless it's not a good fit, or maybe it's not even there?

I just replaced a cabin filter on a xD and noticed that they have a curved plastic cage above the filter, probably to prevent this sort of thing from happening.

http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/8/8600065.gif

#7 ($4.46) But I doubt it'll fit the Yaris

[Steveh27]

That cage is in my 2010 3 door HB, but no filter or tray.

[NH3R717]

i am 99% sure that it is just: 1) open glove box 2) gently squeeze at rear of top of glove box 3) gently pull glove box out 4) then you will be looking at your cabin air filter location and if i remember right, your cooler box 4) make sure that there is nothing large sitting at the bottom of the cooler box 4) make sure that the drain hose is going through the appropriate hole in the firewall behind the cooler box... i think that should cover it, sorry that i do not have pictures...

This should give me access to be able to clean the coils also.

[macman707]

I had the same problem with my 2008 Yaris. The drain was plugged with some mold or algae and water was sloshing and leaking into my passenger floor. The fix is simple. Go to the department or grocery store and get a turkey baster (I paid $2 for one). Lift your carpet back from the top under the passenger side of the floorboard. You will see a rubber hose about a foot long and one end goes into the floor/firewall, gently pull it out. Once removed from floor you can see into engine compartment. Fill a container with about a pint of water and a couple of ounces of bleach and mix. Now take the turkey baster and fill it full with the water mixture and blast it into the end of the rubber hose, holding the baster tight to the hose. Now squeeze it 4 or 5 times like you are unclogging a sink. Now pinch the rubber hose and snap it back into the hole in the floor board and the water should start flowing quickly. I repeated the process to more times and it works like a charm now. It saved me a $50 service charge and I now know what to do if it happens again.

[CrankyOldMan]

Thread necro! I just did the quick drain fix on mine. Got about 2 cups of water out of it, but nothing that looked like a clog. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get an air filter next time I order parts...

On an unrelated note, I think I just found the entry site for my AFR sensor cable!

[nobodywise]

It can be hard to find from under. You can easily access it from about. Just have a pan or bucket under the hose as you clear it, so you don't get the output all over the carpet.

Here's where it is (top left side of the passenger footwell):
26199


Here's what it looks like when you pull it out of the flloor:
26200
Is this the same for a right hand drive sedan?

I love the back of my car, the front... not so much

[CTScott]

Is this the same for a right hand drive sedan?

I love the back of my car, the front... not so much

For RHD cars it is the same but on the opposite side of the center console.

[nobodywise]

For RHD cars it is the same but on the opposite side of the center console.
So you mean it would be on the right side of the car and run to the top right of the carpet orrrrr?
I sent you a private message

I love the back of my car, the front... not so much

[nobodywise]

Never mind, found it

I love the back of my car, the front... not so much