02 Explorer - Wet Floors A/C problem? More?

[ScubaDave]

Recently, my 02 Expl. with ~177K miles started having very wet front floors, even going into the rear on the passenger side. Only happens when the A/C is running. I figure it is a problem with the condensation drainage coming into the car instead of out. But I can't figure out where to check for a bad hose on this vehicle that might have broken. Any thoughts on where to look to see if it is just cracked or broken hoses? Any other possibilities?

Also, I notice that my A/C only comes on when the car is not excellerating or working hard on some other task. This wasn't always the case. My 94 Explorer did this (along with check engine light) when the radiator core was getting blocked up. Could this already be happening on my 02? The 94 was fine for about 6 years before it showed the problem.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[ScubaDave]

Additional Info on problems

I guess I haven't yet stirred much interest, but hopefully I'll get some help from the ether soon. Leaving on a trip in a couple of weeks and need to have this fixed.

Anyway, I tried to see where the fluid is coming from and what it was for sure and found that is definately just water and that it comes down both the driver's and passenger's sides in the electrical channel. I can't find any source for it, though. I looked in the sidewall under the plastic side panels in front of the doors and on the firewall under the carpet and don't find any signs of water or wetness there at all. I was wondering if the condenser is in the center of the dash and that the water comes down under the console and then out to the sides? Is that possible?

I recall when I had the transmission rebuilt about 18 months ago that the technician said there was some sort of drain that led right down on the tranny control leads and they replaced a harness down there as a precaution because of it. Could they have somehow blocked this drain to cause it to back up into the vehicle now?

I own a scuba diving shop and my car is a real workhorse filled with wet gear and people usually, but this water now is clearly from another source. Like I said earlier, I would really appriciate some advice on fixing this asap. On my 1994 Explorer, I was able to do most of the work myself. On this 02, it has gotten really tightly packed in and I haven't found a good reference to show me where things are. I'd love to find a source for that on this vehicle if anyone knows of one.

Thanks.

ScubaDave

 

[cjones101812]

it's most likely coming from the evaporator core (condensor is in front of radiator) which is center dash. have you pulled the carpet up at the tranny hump?? i believe that is where the drain hose is.

for the turning off when accellerating...check the vacuum resevoir and check valve.

 

[ScubaDave]

Sounds reasonable

I had tried to get the carpet up and was leaning toward the center area. But, there is lots of plastic there in the Eddie Bauer. Haven't gotten it all exposed yet, but it certainly sounds like the right thought for the source of the wet problem.

On the vacuum problem, where is the vacuum reservoir and check valve? I assume they are in the engine compartment along the firewall somewhere? If you could help me with a specific location, it would be appreciated. Also and description of what it may look like?

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate your sharing your knowledge.

ScubaDave

 

[cybergasm]

Well typically when you have wet carpets it usually caused by the heater core going bad and leaking on the carpets. The condenser drain is located outside the vehicle near the pass side firewall under the a/c box and should be draining outside the vehicle.

Hmm sounds like a strong possibility that the Tech blocked or pinched off the drain worrying about the moisture on the harness.

I would defintly look for the drain outside first and make sure it draining properly before going and tearing apart the interior.

 

[cjones101812]

the reservoir and check valve are inside the passenger compartment.

look for a vacuum hose going through the engine side of the firewall, then look inside where you saw it going in. follow that line and you should see a check valve then the reservoir. the reservoir should be about the size of a coke can (give or take) and held on by 1 screw.