Air Conditioning Condensation

[rad23racer@hotm]

Please help...

Just got done doing heater core and having A/C recharged. Has been pretty humid here (still not Florida) and there is a ton of condensation on the plenum where the A/C evaporator ? is. Water on the carpet, etc.

What did I screw up? Please tell me that I don't have to take the dash out again...

Thanks.

Rick

 

[iskwezm]

there is a drain on the firewall that looks like a rubber 90* elbow,make sure its oped by sticking a screwdriver in there,dont jam it in,just make sure its clear.Sometimes they will get clogged and the water will back up onto the carpet.

 

[PuterAmI]

You meantion just doing the heater core. This means that you pulled the box away from the firewall, corret? If so, you may have not put it back right. The drain tube mentioned above must go through that hole in the firewall so that condensation (and bad heater core leaks) can be drained outside of the cabin.

If your drain is there, pop some compressed air up it a few times to clear it.

 

[rad23racer@hotm]

I also noticed that the receiver/dryer is freezing when I run the A/C. I think the drain is working because there is water under the car after I drive it. What is the likelihood that I need to replace the dessicant? I think the stuff that is in there is original to the car (1990).

 

[PuterAmI]

The LPCS (Low Pressure Cycling Switch) that resides on top of the accumulator should be turning off the system at ~25PSI on the low side. This usually keeps the lines - especially the evaporator - from freezing up. The desiccant should not be terrible as long as the system has not been cracked open. I still have the stock accumulator in my 84.

I would check the drain even though you "think" it is working. That tube caught me once, but I found the problem before I got too far. Also, did you put the hoses on good at the heater core? They can leak and slip inside the cabin. Is this a parts store HC or Ford unit? The parts stores are cheap quality. When putting my fourth in the 84, I put a Ford unti next to the Autozone unit that I took out and compared them with a light. Major difference! Is it just water, or does it have a bit of anti-freeze smell to it (if you used AF in your coolant)?

 

[Michael Yount]

Any reputable a/c shop should've replaced the filter/dryer IF they had the system opened or if it was completely discharged due to leaks.