Car repair question

[happ]

Model: Honda

Problem: Water it seems, leaking under the dashboard on the passenger side in the middle side wall. Also here a swoosh liquid sound back and forth when making a turn sometimes. Not sure, think it leaks when the a/c is running.

What's the fix?

 

[demien2k5]

The heater core (mini radiator) under your dash may have a leak, and the swoosh when you turn is what coolant is left in the heater core sloshing around in the unit. If this is the case, get it looked at as leaking coolant into the cabin is not a healthy or safe thing to have going on. Good luck!

 

[WinterHawk]

Could be a plugged drain hose so the water is leaking into your cabin.

 

[DanJ]

The sloshing sound could also be windshield washer fluid and not related to the moisture in the cabin.

 

[Piratos]

Could be a plugged drain hose so the water is leaking into your cabin.

+1 on that. Had the same problem.

 

[checks]

Model: Honda

Problem: Water it seems, leaking under the dashboard on the passenger side in the middle side wall. Also here a swoosh liquid sound back and forth when making a turn sometimes. Not sure, think it leaks when the a/c is running.

What's the fix?

I'd bet its a blockage in the evaporator drain (part of the AC). When the AC runs, the evap is the cold part so condensation will drip down the drain. Next time you are driving on a hot day, run the ac for a while. When you stop you should see water dripping from the bottom of your engine somewhere. If you don't see it, your drain could be blocked.

 

[cman1955]

Smell it....If it smells like antifreeze its the heater core,if it smells like water its the drain.

 

[happ]

If its just a bit of water leaking into the cabin from the a/c on an older model why bother fixing it? Does it affect the performance of the a/c?

 

[elise]

If its just a bit of water leaking into the cabin from the a/c on an older model why bother fixing it? Does it affect the performance of the a/c?

Way back I had a similar problem with a 95 Honda civic. The problem became the stinky mould that started growing in the housing. Everytime you turned on the A/C the smell was enough to make you puke.

 

[Mr. Piggy]

If its just a bit of water leaking into the cabin from the a/c on an older model why bother fixing it? Does it affect the performance of the a/c?

It won't affect the A/C but if it is getting under the floor it will eventually rot it out.

 

[GameBoy27]

Could be a plugged drain hose so the water is leaking into your cabin.

I'm going with this. ^^^^

The sound you hear is water accumulating and sloshing back and forth as you drive. I highly doubt it's a leaking heater core. Take it to a trusted mechanic and he should be able to unplug the drain.

 

[happ]

Today I noticed the floor of the car in the back seat passenger right side the carpet was soaking but it didnt appear to be connected to the leaking under the dashboard. What's going on? It felt and smelled like water. How could water be leaking back there, from what?

 

[trtinajax]

I had a car once that leaked water on passenger side. Carpet in both front & back seats got soaked. Water coming in when it rained through a seam in the fire wall. Car had to be sitting on a precise slope for leak to occur. Dealer needed three mechanics to find it - one to play a hose on the car, second to lie on floor inside car & look for a leak, third to jack up the car at the front one notch at a time. Water came in at one & only one notch on the jack.

 

[elise]

Today I noticed the floor of the car in the back seat passenger right side the carpet was soaking but it didnt appear to be connected to the leaking under the dashboard. What's going on? It felt and smelled like water. How could water be leaking back there, from what?

The water runs from the front of the car along the steel floor and in the sound absorbing felt under the carpet (it acts like a wick).

The A/C condenses a lot of water on humid days (ever see the dripping and puddles near those window air conditioners?) Although it is very possible for there to be a leak around the windshield or firewall, I don't think you would get as much water as you describe with the sloshing sound. Those leaks usually only make things a bit wet.

 

[GameBoy27]

Today I noticed the floor of the car in the back seat passenger right side the carpet was soaking but it didnt appear to be connected to the leaking under the dashboard. What's going on? It felt and smelled like water. How could water be leaking back there, from what?

Model: Honda

What kind of car do you have? Honda is a make, not a model.

 

[Art Mann]

Ummm, been a full week since you asked this question . . .

What's the fix?

Here's THE FIX that could have eliminated the problem by now.

 

[happ]

What kind of car do you have? Honda is a make, not a model.

Can u assume its the one that leaks on the floor in the back seat...

 

[GameBoy27]

Can u assume its the one that leaks on the floor in the back seat...

I can't help any further without knowing the the model and year of your car.

 

[vulcan99]

I'd bet its a blockage in the evaporator drain (part of the AC). When the AC runs, the evap is the cold part so condensation will drip down the drain. Next time you are driving on a hot day, run the ac for a while. When you stop you should see water dripping from the bottom of your engine somewhere. If you don't see it, your drain could be blocked.

Why don't people listen to good advice?

Checks has it right here 100%, evap drain is blocked...poke a coathanger up the evap drain tube under the car and problem solved in 30 seconds....beware the 4 litres of water that will come rushing out common problem

 

[elise]

Why don't people listen to good advice?

Checks has it right here 100%, evap drain is blocked...poke a coathanger up the evap drain tube under the car and problem solved in 30 seconds....beware the 4 litres of water that will come rushing out common problem

If you don't know how to poke a hole… then get professional help.