Your car's air conditioning system can become wet inside the cabin, often appearing as puddles, primarily due to a clogged drain that prevents condensation from exiting.
Here's a breakdown based on the provided information:
- Condensation is Normal: As your car's AC cools the air, moisture from the air condenses on a component called the evaporator core. This is a natural part of the process, similar to how water forms on a cold glass on a hot day.
- The Role of the Drain: This condensation is designed to drip off the evaporator core and exit the vehicle through a small drain hose.
- The Problem - A Clog: If this drain hose becomes clogged (often by debris like leaves, dirt, or insects), the condensation has nowhere to go.
- Overflow and Leaking: Like water in a clogged sink, the condensation from your A/C can back up. According to the reference, once the evaporator core overflows, the moisture will make its way to the A/C vents, eventually turning into those annoying puddles of water you keep finding in your cabin.
In simple terms, the wetness is caused by condensation backing up and overflowing into your car because the drainage path is blocked.
How to Address a Wet Car AC
The most common solution when you find water inside your car from the AC, based on the cause described, is to address the clog.
- Unclog the Drain: It's crucial to unclog the drain as soon as possible. This allows the built-up condensation to flow out of the vehicle properly, preventing further leaks inside.
Finding the drain tube and clearing any obstruction is key to stopping the wetness originating from this issue.
