LubedKoala

Hey guys, going to take my car to the shop tomorrow but I kinda wanted to get an idea of what the problem might be before I go. It's an '04 with 37K on it.

There are drops of water (I think it's water) that fall on passenger's feet. I think it is coming for the air vent where it blows air on your feet on the passenger side. Maybe condensation, I don't know, but something is not right. My car has a slight mildew smell too, and I think it's because of a possible leak somewhere from that vent. When I make turns, in either direction, I hear the sound of water hitting something hot (that kind of hiss sound). Imagine pouring water on a hot manifold, that's the sound I hear in cabin but it's not loud. I have also heard the sound of water flowing from behind the dash (probably near the firewall). Sounds like coolant or something flowing through the piping. Everything in the engine bay looks ok, I don't see any leaks outside the car.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

xviper

Sounds like it's typical condensation that isn't making its way out the drain hose and under the car. You likely have a blockage somewhere in the drain path and the water is staying inside the airbox. That's likely why you smell the mildew. Some have reported that the drain hose pops off the connector and the water drips into the passenger footwell where the mildew may be happening in the carpet or insulation.

Slows2k

Either the Evaporator's drain hose is blocked, crimped or otherwise not draining under the car.

CoralDoc

too.

Please check the hose and report back here. It's located in the passenger footwell towards the front of the car on the left.

nightcrawler7188

what xviper said is more than likely what it is. the same exact thing happened to our lexus ls400 and the passenger's feet.

LubedKoala

Sounds like some solid advice. I'll give it a try and let you guys know.

LubedKoala

The drain hose was crimped. It's a very thin rubber tube that sits down where people's feet are. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets crimped again, but everything seems to be fine now. Thanks guys

cdelena

Although it may well be a crimped hose there is also a TSB regarding that problem. The top if the early units are not sealed and under some humid conditions water builds faster than the drain can handle it. Happens occasionally on my car (with the drain hose fully open) but I have not bothered to have mine fixed.

"Hi Guys:

There was also an issue of full speed fan blowing condensation off of the A/C condenser and into the heater box that does have a vertical seam. This mostly is in high humid areas where there is lots of water on the A/C condenser. There is a service bulletin 00-083 that addresses this situation.

Hope this helps,

Woodwork"

Slows2k

The TSB was for 00 models only, not his 04. They changed the Evap cases on the later cars.

Inlands2k

Will The dealership fix this TSB at no cost?