[968 Cab]

Air conditioning blows nice and cold, but the evaporator is freezing up at the colded setting and when it thaws after sitting parked for a while, I get a LOT of water drops coming out the center vents! Sounds like the drain tube from the evaporator is plugged or kinked.



I went under the car and could not locate the drain tube - any hints? Thanks in advance!

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[968rz]

I haven’t looked for mine yet, but if it's like most cars (US) it will be on the passengers’ side, near the center of the car low on the firewall.

You will most likely have to pull off the panels under the engine bay to get at it.

It should be about 1/2" OD tube.

You could also try feeling between the firewall and the lower edge of the heater box (inside passengers’ foot well under dash) for the tube. Once you do find it, a wire (like metal coat hanger) used lightly in the tube may dislodge the build up of stuff (leafs, dust ect..). Just don’t push to hard/far as to not poke the evaporator.

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[apex]

actually the tube is dead center in the car, behind the radio, draining the bottom of the heater box directly over the torque tube.



access is a bear: you should remove the radio and center console for access.



when I bought my car I had to replace this part - it's rubber and snaps into a hole in the sheet metal. In my case engine heat had melted or caused the locking "grommet" to deteriorate.



best of luck!

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[Scott Collins]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> [quote name='apex' date='Jul 23 2006, 05:53 PM']actually the tube is dead center in the car, behind the radio, draining the bottom of the heater box directly over the torque tube.



access is a bear: you should remove the radio and center console for access.



when I bought my car I had to replace this part - it's rubber and snaps into a hole in the sheet metal. In my case engine heat had melted or caused the locking "grommet" to deteriorate.



best of luck!

[right][post="24498"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Hello Apex,



Enjoyed reading your story. Hoping you can give me some guidance.



My '92 968 a/c was running poorly-on a hot day, could not get the black

interior car to cool down. I got some R12 ( that's right, R12 - my Dad is an old

car nut, '31 and '32 Chrysler Imperials, and he has hoarded the

stuff for years....), proceeded to charge the system. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



No dice, because I found out later that I was connected to the HIGH PRESSURE

VALVE, which is below the coolant reservior under the hood. So, I basically

drained out whatever R12 was left.... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



After seeing the error or my ways, and thanking God for not exploding that

little metal can and pulling back a stump, I turned my attention to the

ac compressor-read a thread stating that this is where the LOW PRESSURE

VALVE is, and this is where I want to charge the system.



Is this correct? If so, which one of the two connections on the compressor

do I use? The one facing downward and closest to the LF tire, or the

one facing up, and tougher to get to?



Thanks for getting back to me if you have any wisdom.



-Scott

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[968 Cab]

[quote name='apex' date='Jul 23 2006, 04:53 PM']actually the tube is dead center in the car, behind the radio, draining the bottom of the heater box directly over the torque tube.



access is a bear: you should remove the radio and center console for access.



when I bought my car I had to replace this part - it's rubber and snaps into a hole in the sheet metal. In my case engine heat had melted or caused the locking "grommet" to deteriorate.



best of luck!

[right][post="24498"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]





Thanks Guys!! I couldn't see the outlet for that drain anywhere last time I had it up on stands. I think I'll go in from the topside under the radio to make sure it is not kinked. I've got some flex braided wire that is perfect for dislodging whatever it is that has blocked the drain.



Scott, the LP valve is located on the AC Compressor facing the LF wheel. There are a few posts on the Tech site on AC - use the search function. Clarks Garage also has a write up on charging the 944/968 cars. I've done 3 cars recently, and it's pretty easy to do. If you use R12, pull a vacumn to make sure you don't waste the effort.

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[Scott Collins]

[quote name='968 Cab' date='Jul 23 2006, 10:19 PM']Thanks Guys!!  I couldn't see the outlet for that drain anywhere last time I had it up on stands.  I think I'll go in from the topside under the radio to make sure it is not kinked.  I've got some flex braided wire that is perfect for dislodging whatever it is that has blocked the drain.



Scott, the LP valve is located on the AC Compressor facing the LF wheel.  There are a few posts on the Tech site on AC - use the search function.  Clarks Garage also has a write up on charging the 944/968 cars.  I've done 3 cars recently, and it's pretty easy to do.  If you use R12, pull a vacumn to make sure you don't waste the effort.

[right][post="24512"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Thanks. I'v got limited wrench experience, and don't know the term

"pull a vacuum". <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Sorry.... What do I need to do there?



Also, what's the function of the other valve on the compressor?



Thanks again.



Scott

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[968 Cab]

[quote name='Scott Collins' date='Jul 24 2006, 06:39 PM']Thanks.  I'v got limited wrench experience, and don't know the term

"pull a vacuum".  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />  Sorry....  What do I need to do there?



Also, what's the function of the other valve on the compressor?



Thanks again.



Scott

[right][post="24538"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Scott - do a "google search" on recharging Automotive Air Conditioning Systems and you'll learn a lot.



If you don't have a lot of experience with R12, etc. best to get someone to do the work for you - R12 escaping into the atmosphere is not good.



There are a lot of aftermarket AirCon recharging kits out there too, and if you have not checked for leaks in your system first, then that is the first thing to do. Useless to recharge a leaking system.



Also, get hold of someone at your local PCA chapter who has some experience with AC in these cars if you have limited wrenching skills. You don't want to fool around with the AC system - high pressures, toxic stuff, and it all has to be spotlessly clean! You can do the work yourself, but it is methodical paced work.

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[Bob Kovacs]

[quote name='Scott Collins' date='Jul 24 2006, 09:39 PM']Thanks.  I'v got limited wrench experience, and don't know the term

"pull a vacuum".  <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />  Sorry....  What do I need to do there?



Also, what's the function of the other valve on the compressor?

[right][post="24538"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

The right way to service an A/C system is to evacuate it with a vacuum pump first. Once all the air is out of the system, then you introduce the refrigerant (R12, R134a, etc.). That's "pulling a vacuum."



There are two ports or valves near the compressor, one on either side. One is the low-pressure port, where cool refrigerant gas is being sucked into the compressor. On the other side is the high-pressure port, where warm refrigerant liquid has been compressed by the... well, compressor.



This warm liquid goes through the receiver/drier, then circulates through the condenser coil at the front of the car, in front of the radiator. After the refrigerant cools off a bit, it's fed into an expansion valve in the HVAC ductwork. When the liquid refrigerant expands and turns to gas, it gets very cold. This very cold gas passes through the evaporator, making it very cold. Your A/C system blows air over the evaporator, chilling the air and removing moisture; it is this cold air that blows into the car. The gas then passes out of the evaporator and back to the A/C compressor to repeat the process.



Or something like that. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



--Bob

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[Scott Collins]

[quote name='Bob Kovacs' date='Jul 24 2006, 08:08 PM']The right way to service an A/C system is to evacuate it with a vacuum pump first. Once all the air is out of the system, then you introduce the refrigerant (R12, R134a, etc.). That's "pulling a vacuum."



There are two ports or valves near the compressor, one on either side. One is the low-pressure port, where cool refrigerant gas is being sucked into the compressor. On the other side is the high-pressure port, where warm refrigerant liquid has been compressed by the... well, compressor.



This warm liquid goes through the receiver/drier, then circulates through the condenser coil at the front of the car, in front of the radiator. After the refrigerant cools off a bit, it's fed into an expansion valve in the HVAC ductwork. When the liquid refrigerant expands and turns to gas, it gets very cold. This very cold gas passes through the evaporator, making it very cold. Your A/C system blows air over the evaporator, chilling the air and removing moisture; it is this cold air that blows into the car. The gas then passes out of the evaporator and back to the A/C compressor to repeat the process.



Or something like that. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



--Bob

[right][post="24540"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Bob,



Thanks for taking the time to write this detailed explanation - much obliged. I now know what has to be done, and I am connected with an experienced mechanic.



Just one last thing - what about the valve/port that is located close to the

coolant reservior, away from the compressor? Do I need to do anything or hook up anything to this valve when first vacuuming, then recharging?



Thanks again!



Scott

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[Carl968]

I'm having the same problem, water droplets comming out of the center vents when the a/c and fan are on. Also getting drips on feet in both driver and passenger footwells. I have found the drain hose - center of the dash behind the radio. How does one remove this hose from heater box? Mine seems to be just pushed on, there isn't a clamp (92 coupe) and there isn't much room to operate. Suggestions would be appreciated.

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[Anchorman]

There is no clamp to hold the drain hose in place. The upper end slips over a nipple on the heater box, the lower end is inserted into a hole in the center "hump". There absolutely is little room to operate - but you have no choice, as replacing this hose is a necessary step in solving your problem. You also need to clean out the inlet to the tube and the exit, as they're likely at least partially clogged. When I replaced mine (which I did as part of a dashboard swap) I seem to recall prying my old hose off the heater box with a flat-bladed screwdriver. Prior to that, when I had water spraying out of the vents and running out onto the carpet, I cleaned out the old hose and connection areas and then used a putty to hold the outlet end into the drain hole in the hump. The attached photo shows what the old and new pieces were like.

   

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[Carl968]

Ok guys thanks for the help but my drain hose did not seem to be clogged. I finally got it off and of course damaged it so I'm waiting for the replacement part to show up. The hose did not seem to be clogged and I reamed out the outlet from the heater itself, no apparent clog there either. Can't test until the new hose arrives. Any other suggestions or ideas .

Thanks again,

Carl

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[Anchorman]

As you can see from the photo I posted, my drain hose was damaged on the outlet side. Maybe your tube's extension was crimped - or maybe there's a clog downstream of the hose. I can't imagine any other cause for the problem that you have - and that I had and cured with the new drain hose (and some well-placed "reaming").

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[968rz]

The only other cause of moisture (mist) coming out of the vents I can think of is if the h-valve (expansion valve) sticks causing the a/c to "super cool" the air. I’ve only seen this 1 time in a dodge years ago. But in that instance it never caused water to drip onto the floor. My bet is still on a plugged drain tube or lower like Anchorman said.

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[Carl968]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your suggestions. I have to wait until the replacement part arrives to test the system.



Carl

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[No.15]

Bumping this topic because I seem to be having a similar issue.  I get occasional drips onto my leg when driving with the ac on.  No water is coming out of my vents, just a very occasional drip.

 

Lots of the pictures in this thread are gone, but has anyone successfully cleared the line without taking the radio out? 

 

Is the tube to far up to be accessed from the bottom of the car.  I have a quickjack so I was thinking I could raise the car and perhaps try and snake a wire through the hose to clear it, but I have no idea what it looks like under there :0

 

If I do go the radio route should I have a new tube in hand before I start?  Seems like it gets destroyed by removing it.  I am in Florida and proper ac is a must

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[pdxmike]

OK no one else has bit. 

 

Don't know if you can get to it from under the car but the drain tube looks to exit from above the torque tube. Probably not too hard to get under there with a flashlight to see if you can find it. If you find the exit, you might be able to snake it with a guitar string or similar. You can also troubleshoot your rattle while you're under there. 

 

Otherwise, pulling the radio should be no big deal. If you have an aftermarket head unit, you might be able to actually push it out from behind the trim surround. That's how I get mine out when one of the crimps come loose, which happens a lot.

 

Looks like the part is cheap so I'd just order one in advance. 

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[No.15]

I  am going to try this in the next couple of days.  I am going to use weed whacker string that I have on a spool, it seems perfect for this.

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