Water leak on passenger side floor

KELLY D

MEMBER
2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA
6 CYL
240,000 MILES

Need help! My passenger side floor is soaking wet and can't figure out the problem. Checked the cowl to see if clogged, bypassed heater core (heater not working either not sure if they're connected), thought it was A/C leaking but friend checked and said it was fine. Haven't used A/C for two months anyways. It occurs whether it's raining or not and even gets so bad that it soaks backseat passenger floor. No sunroof. It's dry at the top of the floor board closer to dashboard and really wet closer to the actual door frame. Need to drive across country next week Please help! Floor mat is not as wet as carpet underneath. If that helps.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

If you are certain it isn't coolant and that it is in fact water, I question if it is coming in from the outside if it happens even when it isn't raining. I can tell you that even if you aren't using the AC, the system still operates when you have the unit in the defrost selection. With that in mind, the system will still create condensation.

I feel very confident that is what is happening. An o-ring at the firewall where the drain exits the vehicle under the hood is known to go bad allowing the water to bleed back in under the carpet. There is actually a technical service bulletin out related to the problem. Here is the actual TSB. Read through it and follow the directions for testing and correcting. Also, if I recall correctly, there isn't actually a hose for the drain but instead, a collar which is about an inch long and not easy to get to. That is why the water is able to make its way back into the vehicle.

A/C - Water leaks Under Passenger Side Carpet
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Evaporator Drain Tube Technical Service Bulletins By Symptom A/C - Water leaks Under Passenger Side Carpet
A/C - WATER LEAKS UNDER PASSENGER SIDE CARPET
NUMBER: 24-001-06 REV A

GROUP: Heating & A/C

DATE: November 10, 2006

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 24-001-06, DATED FEBRUARY 23, 2006, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. THE REVISION IS HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL VEHICLE AND MODEL YEARS.

SUBJECT:
HVAC Drain Water (AC Condensate) Leaks Under Passenger Side Carpet

OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing a HVAC drain tube 0-ring.

MODELS:

**2004 - 2006 (CS) Pacifica** 2001 - 2006 (RS) Town & Country/Caravan/Voyager 2001 - 2006 (RG) Chrysler Voyager (International Markets)

NOTE:
This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before December 16, 2005 (MDH 1216XX).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

The customer may describe a wet front passenger floor or floor carpet. This condition may be due to water (A/C condensate) from the HVAC assembly drain tube.

DIAGNOSIS:

Verify the passenger side front floor or carpet is wet. Check the source of the water leak. As A/C condensate leaves the HVAC drain tube, it may run back along the outside of the drain tube, past the seal, and under the passenger side front floor carpet. If the HVAC assembly drain tube is the cause of the water leak, perform the Repair Procedure.

PARTS REQUIRED:

REPAIR PROCEDURE:

1. Disconnect the battery.

2. Disconnect the inlet air temperature sensor.

3. Loosen the clamp and remove the inlet hose from the throttle body (leave the other end attached to the air cleaner housing cover).

4. Remove the air cleaner housing cover.

5. Inspect the HVAC drain tube. Clean out any debris or other restrictions in the drain.

6. Install the HVAC drain 0-ring onto the HVAC drain tube, making sure the 0-ring is 6 mm (0.25 in.) Onto the keyway on the top of the HVAC drain and beyond the slot in the bottom of the HVAC drain.

7. Install the air cleaner housing cover.

8. Attach the inlet hose to the throttle body and tighten clamp.

9. Reconnect the inlet air temperature sensor.

10. Reconnect the battery.

11. Set the clock to the correct time.

Let me know what you find and if this helps. Honestly, this is becoming really common.

Take care,
Joe