'98 Lx soaked passenger floor!

[ChrisJavier]

The floor of the passenger side is really soaked and smells awful. The weird thing is that I have two floor mats(The Rubber one and the stock civic one) and neither was wet. I didn't even noticed until I was cleaning the inside and had to remove the floor mats.

I searched and found this DIY: http://honda-tech.com/honda-accord-1990-2002-2/diy-c-cooling-system-2793650/. I did it and thought it fixed it. It didn't. I used a hair dryer along with the vaccum to at least dry it for the time being. The next day it was soaked again! The drain is unclogged because it's dripping on to the pavement like it normally would.

It isn't the heater core because the previous owner bypassed it(I believe):

And it isn't rain water because it has not rained, since like a month.

Please help!

 

[HeX]

You must have an AC leak then in the passenger cabin. That would cause the leak to occur on the side walls, which wouldnt leak straight down and on top of the mats and carpetting. Perhaps a pinched line thats causing excessive condensation on one of the lines going in. However, that would just smell like humidity. If you have a chemical smell then its a freon leak and you should be noticing that your AC is cooling less than before. If you use your AC daily and it hasnt rained then thats the only remaining option.

 

[Killa_CiViC]

If it rains a lot where you're at, older Civics have real issues with the body seam sealer cracking and leaking water into places like the front floor boards and trunk. Check the body seams for any cracking... all it takes is was amount to a few hair line cracks to end up leaking a lot of water in during a rain storm or washing the car.... usually comes in along the drip rail molding area, and the areas right around where the hood bolts to the body. ANY cracking should be suspect.

 

[ChrisJavier]

You must have an AC leak then in the passenger cabin. That would cause the leak to occur on the side walls, which wouldnt leak straight down and on top of the mats and carpetting. Perhaps a pinched line thats causing excessive condensation on one of the lines going in. However, that would just smell like humidity. If you have a chemical smell then its a freon leak and you should be noticing that your AC is cooling less than before. If you use your AC daily and it hasnt rained then thats the only remaining option.

I don't think its freon because it smells like humidity and the padding is turning brownish(mold?). Is it easy to check for an A/C leak? Where should I start? I'm a noob on mechanics and cars in general. I normally take it to a shop but things have been tough around here and can't afford the job with college starting.
Any advice is welcome. Thanks

 

[Killa_CiViC]

It's not freon. If it only happens when you run the a/c, then it's not out of the question that you have a case leak somewhere around the evaporator... but you should be able to run the a/c and watch for a leak trickling down. If it's not leaking down where you can see, check for cracking in the paint at the points I mentioned in my first post.

As far as water in the car... once water gets in the car enough to get under the carpet, and the padding under it do not easily dry out... the only real way to dry it out is to either take it out completely and hang it up to dry, or find a way to fold it back to expose the bottom to dry the carpet... otherwise, it could stay wet under the carpet and mold and mildew for months.... trust me, I've been through this already with my car.

 

[HeX]

I get you about the finances. You can google how to check for AC leaks. There are many instructions and videos online. Its not difficult or costly but you wont be able to repair a freon leak yourself as you need proper equipment to fully drain then refill the freon up to proper pressure. However, you can have the system drained then do al the repair work yourself and have the same shop that drained it refill it. But again, have you noticed if your AC doesnt cool as well as before?

 

[ChrisJavier]

It's not freon. If it only happens when you run the a/c, then it's not out of the question that you have a case leak somewhere around the evaporator... but you should be able to run the a/c and watch for a leak trickling down. If it's not leaking down where you can see, check for cracking in the paint at the points I mentioned in my first post.

As far as water in the car... once water gets in the car enough to get under the carpet, and the padding under it do not easily dry out... the only real way to dry it out is to either take it out completely and hang it up to dry, or find a way to fold it back to expose the bottom to dry the carpet... otherwise, it could stay wet under the carpet and mold and mildew for months.... trust me, I've been through this already with my car.

I can't see the leak dripping down from anywhere. And about the paint, please explain. English is not my first language so I don't understand where to look. Maybe marked photos would help, if you can. Thanks for your input.

I get you about the finances. You can google how to check for AC leaks. There are many instructions and videos online. Its not difficult or costly but you wont be able to repair a freon leak yourself as you need proper equipment to fully drain then refill the freon up to proper pressure. However, you can have the system drained then do al the repair work yourself and have the same shop that drained it refill it. But again, have you noticed if your AC doesnt cool as well as before?

Considering the heat and drought, it's cooling fine, I guess. I've had this car since december and the weather was cold till may. So I can't say for sure if it's not cooling like before.

 

[HeX]

English is not my first language so I don't understand where to look. Maybe marked photos would help, if you can.

Boriqua, you write quite well in English for it being your second language. Hell, we have plenty of English-first people here who cant write as well as you do.

Check the metal walls around the AC unit under the passenger side of the dash for fluid drip marks (Las paredes de metal dentro del carro alrededor de la caja del aire condicionado abajo de la pizarra en el lado del pasajero). If its not leaking straight down then its leaking down the side walls of the cabin so it puddles underneath the carpeting. If you dont see drip marks then get a non-permanent marker and draw lines on the walls. That will show you drip channels when it happens again.

As for what Killa Civic said, el dice que los sellos adonde los paneles metal se juntan pueden tener liqueos ahora porque se han abierto unas rajadas del sello por siendo tantos anos. Chequea esos sellos en ese lado adonde puedes porque el liqueo podia pasado hace tiempo y la agua se a entrapado ahi haces tiempo porque se toma mucho tiempo para evaporarce de abajo del alfombra.

 

[nease.ma]

Is the air conditioner condenser drain clogged or otherwise disconnected? This is a common problem in many different car makes and models. This tube connects to the condenser under the glove compartment. It drains humidity that the air conditioner pulls from the air.


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[ChrisJavier]

Is the air conditioner condenser drain clogged or otherwise disconnected? This is a common problem in many different car makes and models. This tube connects to the condenser under the glove compartment. It drains humidity that the air conditioner pulls from the air.

I've unclogged it already and it's connected correctly.

Boriqua, you write quite well in English for it being your second language. Hell, we have plenty of English-first people here who cant write as well as you do.

Thanks! I try my best.

Check the metal walls around the AC unit under the passenger side of the dash for fluid drip marks (Las paredes de metal dentro del carro alrededor de la caja del aire condicionado abajo de la pizarra en el lado del pasajero). If its not leaking straight down then its leaking down the side walls of the cabin so it puddles underneath the carpeting. If you dont see drip marks then get a non-permanent marker and draw lines on the walls. That will show you drip channels when it happens again.

When I parked in my college and opened the glove box, I noticed this! I didn't have time to drop the glove box and inspect it better but it's a clue, right?

As for what Killa Civic said, el dice que los sellos adonde los paneles metal se juntan pueden tener liqueos ahora porque se han abierto unas rajadas del sello por siendo tantos anos. Chequea esos sellos en ese lado adonde puedes porque el liqueo podia pasado hace tiempo y la agua se a entrapado ahi haces tiempo porque se toma mucho tiempo para evaporarce de abajo del alfombra.

Thanks for the traduction