Leak in rear AC unit.

[Mick R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mick R]

G'day all, it's been a while since I've been on the forum. Not much of one for these computers actually. Anyway I have an ongoing issue with my '08 Prado GXL. The rear AC compressor is leaking water into the interior. I have had the AC re-gassed and checked by the specialist recommended by my mechanic, but the issue is ongoing. Anyone else had this issue, and what did you do to fix it?

Thanks in advance,


Mick

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I doubt it is the A/C unit but most likely the drain hose from the evaporator is clogged or kinked. The drain hose runs down the rear below the unit. I haven't looked inside one of these but usually there is a plastic tray under the evaporator to catch condensation and a tube hangs from this. It is common for mud wasps to build nests in and around or simply the hose has been pushed up and kinked. When you park is there water dripping behind the rear wheel? If yes and you can see the hose then get a piece of MIG or thin fencing wire and carefully push it in the tube to clear anything. Otherwise you will have to remove the trim on the inside to access the unit and see if there is a blockage. Bit surprised your A/C place didn't do this.

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

Mick,

I another life I have fitted more AC units to all kinds of Toyota's than I care to remember.

mjrandon is correct. Follow mjrandon instructions and are sure to locate the problem. Run your front and rear AC and look for the condensation coming out of the rear (as it also should from the front) as said below. On a hot day it should be considerable. If none or very little you most likely have a blockage in the drain and it's overflowing and wetting your interior.

Hazza

[Wotacroc Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wotacroc]

How worried should I be about the Toyota dealer that services my Prado. When I first bought it new last year, I made a comment about the water pooling behind the rear wheel and he had no idea what I was talking about.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I have used a plastic cable tie to clear the evap rubber hose outlet as I find there is less chance of puncturing the rubber hose or even possibly putting a hole in the evap. As mentioned above it would not be the compressor dripping water and secondly there isn't even a compressor in the rear. There is only one compressor on the engine itself but there is two evaps with dual air, one at the front under the dash the other as mentioned on the drivers side rear. You don't always get water pooling depends on the weather. Really hot days but no humidity will see very little water, but really steamy muggy days it will be pissing out from hopefully under your vehicle either the front or both if you have duel air and have both running. There should be no water dripping at the rear if you don't have the rear air on...Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

LOLOL Wotacroc, wouldn't surprise me........Cheers Steve

[Mick R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mick R]

Yep, I ran some wire up the drain tube before this even though water flow seemed normal. The only other thing to try is take the trim off and have a look see for kinks etc as has been suggested by mjrandom. The AC bloke reckoned he blew compressed air through it when he checked it, and was certain it was clear. He found the A/C gas to be low and considered that that might be causing the problem. Sadly the re-gassing didn't solve it. Which is why I'm here consulting the experts!
Thanks for the advice so far, I'll have to try and find time to pull trim out tomorrow. This issue is really irking me. I don't want to have to take it to the Toyota "specialists" because they want an arm and a leg just to park it outside their workshop, let alone perform any kind of work on it.


Mick

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Firstly it isn't a hard job to pull the trim off and check for yourself, maybe just the pipe has come off from the evap drain outlet, you will be surprised probably by the amount of dust in there. The original owner of my 90 series (when I had it) use to have a dog in the back (thank god not on the seats only in rear cargo area) and the amount of dog hair stuck to the wire mesh in front of the fan was amazing, I could even notice the air pressure difference coming out the roof vents once I cleaned it. Secondly you need to piss your aircon guy off. If he reckons having low gas is causing a water leak inside the cabin the blokes a f&%#en idiot and Im glad he's not touching my car in anyway........Cheers Steve

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

SteveM is spot on. No way low refrigerant does that. If anything it would make less water because it wasn't working properly. If the refrigerant WAS low did they find a leak and repair it? Did they change the dryer. Sounds like bullshit to me.

[Jansen Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jansen]

Just wondering if someone can help me locate the AC drain tube for my Prado 150, I would like to clean it as I am having a bad smell on my front aircon for the first minute once turned ON. Your help is greatly appreciated.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Just wondering if someone can help me locate the AC drain tube for my Prado 150, I would like to clean it as I am having a bad smell on my front aircon for the first minute once turned ON. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Passenger side, about where the passengers feet would be, but of course underneath!

Cheers Andrew

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I just use a cable tie to clear any blockages like I just did on my wifes car. Don't use coat hanger wire or the like or you risk punching a hole through the evaporator then your in the shit. Some times you will get this smell especially if you live in a dusty area as it will suck the dust in then it will stick to the evaporator due to the condensation on the evap, a filter will stop this if you don't have one in place. Im pretty sure if it was blocked you would have water on your passengers side floor and some times here a sloshing sound when going around corners from the evap box due to water sitting in there. I also presume you don't smoke in the car or you wouldn't notice it anyway.......Cheers Steve

[Bear63 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear63]

The smell is usually caused by fungus growing on the evaporator due to the amount of moisture there , find somebody with an ozone generator (natrad agents usually have them) and get them to run it in the car for a bit , usually sorts it out