A/C drain tube keeps getting clogged...

[toyocam99]

My A/C drain tube gets getting clogged and the water is overflowing into the car on the drivers side. I've put a shop vac up to it a few times to suck out whatever's stuck, but it clogs a few days later. Does anyone know how to unclog it? I tried searching and found this: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t151023.html
But I don't know if that's what's wrong.

Thanks in advanced.

[toyomoho]

The evaporator causes water vapor to condense on its outside. This water runs down to a pan to collect. The pan has a drain pipe that runs out the bottom of the car. The pipe can become plugged. You will need to get under the car to see the pipe then try cleaning with a rod, etc.

[MIC0417]

I don't use A/C But seriously I think toyomoho has a very good solution, it would explain why it keeps overflowing, because you're just collecting water thats been building up but not clearing the clog

[xtremeskier97]

He already knows WHY it's overflowing, because he said hehas cleaned the drain tube out before but it keeps getting clogged....I think he wants to know how to keep it UNCLOGGED...right?

When you used the shop vac...did you open up the shop vac after you unclogged it to see what was in there?

When I opened up my evaporator housing on my 92 accord a year or so ago..there was leaves and stuff in there.....stuff like that can cause the clog. You may want to pull it out and clean it with compressed air or something...and make sure nothing is sitting in the bottom of the "collect pan" that could cause the clog...like mud from the water mixing with the dirt.

Good luck.

[toyocam99]

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

He already knows WHY it's overflowing, because he said hehas cleaned the drain tube out before but it keeps getting clogged....I think he wants to know how to keep it UNCLOGGED...right?

When you used the shop vac...did you open up the shop vac after you unclogged it to see what was in there?

When I opened up my evaporator housing on my 92 accord a year or so ago..there was leaves and stuff in there.....stuff like that can cause the clog. You may want to pull it out and clean it with compressed air or something...and make sure nothing is sitting in the bottom of the "collect pan" that could cause the clog...like mud from the water mixing with the dirt.

Good luck.

Exactly, I know it's clogged and tried to clear it today with a pipe cleaner and the shop vac. I looked in the shop vac container and didn't see anything, but I didn't really look that good.

How do you open up the evaporator housing on a 99 camry, cause I don't even know where it is. Hopefully the pipe cleaner cleared it, but you'll probably hear from me again if it gets clogged.

Thanks Again.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by toyocam99

How do you open up the evaporator housing on a 99 camry, cause I don't even know where it is. Hopefully the pipe cleaner cleared it, but you'll probably hear from me again if it gets clogged.

Thanks Again.

Well...on my 92 accord....I opened it up when I had my whole front end off the car and had the whole a/c system down and apart. With your's still charged with freon...im not sure..but maybe someone else will know if you can or not.

[toyocam99]

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

Well...on my 92 accord....I opened it up when I had my whole front end off the car and had the whole a/c system down and apart. With your's still charged with freon...im not sure..but maybe someone else will know if you can or not.

Hopefully, thanks for your help though.

[lenjack]

This clogged on my '98 for the 4th summer in a row. Instead of paying a shop to clear it, I decided to give it a try myself without lifting the car. I thought the drain would be hard to find, but by putting a mirror on the ground I found it easliy, and was able to reach it and clear it in seconds. If you put your head on the ground behind the front wheel (passenger side), you can see the drain without the mirror.

[toyocam99]

I've found the tube and have cleared it, but it keeps clogging, literally within days of clearing it. Does anyone know how to clear it permanently?

[DFBonnett]

You might want to use something stouter than a pipe cleaner. I've used a piece of coat hanger bent over double on the end so as not to have a sharp point. Works well.
FWIW
YMMV

[dc_98_cam]

A dilute solution of water and household bleach would probably clear up any fungus or mold. ... Not exactly sure how you would get any of it through the drain tubes .... Maybe a siphon hose .... it would all eventually drain out.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

A dilute solution of water and household bleach would probably clear up any fungus or mold. ... Not exactly sure how you would get any of it through the drain tubes .... Maybe a siphon hose .... it would all eventually drain out.

yeah...i do that through the drain system for the a/c in the house. Works well.

[toyocam99]

well... it's been a week and it just clogged again. does anyone know how to unclog it permanently, i'm getting tired of always having to use a vacuum to clean it.

[xtremeskier97]

Unless you get in there and find out WHAT is clogging it...then it's going to keep clogging.

[toyocam99]

that's the thing, i don't know how to get in there and find out what is clogging it. i'm in college, don't have too much money, and basically no resources.