Car Air Conditioning Repair: 5 Reasons Why Your Vehicle’s AC Leaks Water

The car air conditioning system is one of the most important components of your vehicle. It  keeps the air temperature of your vehicle’s interior cool and comfortable during those warm summer months. When you notice that your car’s AC doesn’t provide as much cool air as it should, then it’s time to consider having it checked by the professionals .

One common sign that your vehicle’s air conditioning system needs special attention is when you notice that water is leaking from under the front of the car or inside the cabin near the passenger side. There are numerous reasons why this happens. Let us explore five of the most common reasons why a vehicle’s air conditioner leaks water.

1. Blockage in the Condensate Drain Pipe

A warning sign that your car’s condensate drain might be blocked is when you notice the water leaking inside your vehicle. If you find your car’s floor getting wet with water whenever you turn your car’s air conditioner on, then it’s time to check your condensate drain. A blocked condensate drain keeps the water from draining outside your vehicle, causing the water to overflow inside the car instead.

How to solve this?

Unblocking a condensate drain is usually easy to do, as long as you are familiar with your car’s parts and engine. First, you need to find the condensate drain hose, which is usually located at the rear of the engine on the passenger side.

When you’ve located it, squeeze or bend the hose  to release any debris inside. You may also carefully insert a screwdriver to clear the hose. Be very careful when doing this to avoid any damage inside the ventilation system. If you’re not confident in doing this on your own, it’s better to consult an auto air conditioning professional, just to be safe.

2. The Condensate Drain is Not Properly Attached to the Ventilation System

Another possible reason why your car’s air conditioner is leaking water inside your vehicle is because the condensate drain is not properly attached to the ventilation system. This prevents the drain from doing its job of draining the water outside, under the car.

How to solve this?

If you are familiar with your vehicle’s parts and if you’re okay to get your hands dirty, you may try to solve this on your own.

First, you need to locate the condensate drain, which can be found under the evaporator (the evaporator is usually located inside the passenger compartment) and at the lowest point in your vehicle’s ventilation system. Attach the condensate drain properly to the ventilation system and check if it runs outside your vehicle.

If you’re in doubt, it’s best to consult a professional technician.

3. Low Refrigerant Level

Your vehicle’s AC needs a certain amount of refrigerant to maintain its capability of circulating cool air. When the refrigerant level of your car’s air conditioning system becomes low, it will decrease the pressure on your AC system. Lower pressure will cause the evaporator coils to ice up and freeze, and this can cause the condensate drain pan to overflow and leak water.

For more information on evaporator coils, read our article on “The five most common causes of car air-conditioning failure“.  

How to solve this?

One of the signs that your car air conditioning system is low on refrigerant is that it blows warm air instead of cool. It’s best to have your car AC system serviced so the refrigerant levels can be checked properly and refilled as needed. Having it serviced by the auto professionals is essential for a task like this.

4. Dirty or Blocked Air Filters

Over time, your auto AC’s air filter will accumulate dirt due to dust and moisture. This is the reason why it’s important to have your car’s air conditioning checked and serviced at least once a year to keep the air filters clean. When your AC’s air filter accumulates debris, it may become blocked. This may freeze up the car air conditioner’s evaporator coils, which will cause excess water to overflow from the condensate drain.

How to solve this?

Keeping your car’s air filter clean is necessary, and this is best left to the hands of the professionals. Have your vehicle checked and serviced at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer as stated in your owner’s manual. Regular AC servicing will help prevent more serious problems. After all, prevention is better than cure.

5. Broken Condensate Drain Pan

Your condensate drain pan may rust or break due to old age or wear and tear. A broken condensate pan may also be caused by accidents . When the condensate drain pan is broken, it can cause water to leak from your air conditioner.

How to solve this?

Depending on how serious the damage is, a broken condensate drain pan really should be replaced. Have this checked by an auto repair professional and replace when necessary.

When Do You Need a Car Air Conditioning Repair?

It’s normal for your car’s air conditioner to leak water outside your vehicle from time to time. However, if you start seeing water inside your vehicle after you turned the air conditioner on, or if you see too much water leaking outside than what’s normal, then it’s time to consult a professional. If your car’s aircon is no longer blowing air that’s cool enough to make you feel comfortable during hot days, it’s a sign that your vehicle’s AC system may be in need of expert servicing or an immediate car air conditioning repair.

For any auto air conditioning issues, don’t hesitate to call and speak to any of our certified technicians on (07) 3269 3158 and we’ll be happy to assist you!

If you have any questions about car air conditioning, you may visit our workshop at 113 Connaught Street Sandgate QLD 4017 and we’ll be at your service!