Water leaking from the dash AC

[chajos1]

We just traveled from Columbia, SC to Rhode Island. When we stopped at a rest area I would notice water dripping from the front of the coach. I checked the water and there was no antifreeze in it. I just assumed it was coming from the AC. I did notice the water wasn't come out of the over flow that hung down but from the cover of the AC. When we got to RI I noticed water under my NEW floor. The water had to come from under the dash, from the AC. I know some one will have an answer for me. I hope there is something clogged and something like that. I hope also, that I explained it so you would have some idea what I am talking about.

Joe

Does anyone know anything about the RV lemon law? I purchased the RV in September of 2003 and have had major issues with it from day ONE!!
I have started to make a list of all the things that are wrong and have gone wrong that I have had fixed.

[olly72]

I had condensation forming on my dashboard.  They found out that the duck work for the front vents wasn't properly attached and had come loose.  this blew the cold air inside the dash causing the condensation and water to form ruining my radio.  the duck work blockage or coming loose may be your problem.

[John Canfield]

Does anyone know anything about the RV lemon law?

As far as I know, the laws vary state to state, so check with yours.  Since your Meridan is a 2004 model, chances are you are well past any actionable date.

We always have AC dash air condensate drain on the ground under the front of the motorhome; I suspect your thought about a clogged drain is a good guess.  Don't have a clue where the drain might be plugged up though.

[Old Snipe]

The little rubber drain hose has a "duck bill" valve on the end, they are supposed to stay closed to prevent bugs and stuff from getting up into them, but with enough drain water pressure from the A/C condenser, they open and drain off the water.

The duck bills are noted for sticking closed and not opening when there is water in the hose, causing the water to back up and find another way out.

Take a small screwdriver or a coat hanger and ensure the duck bill is open, you probably will get water to drain out as designed. 

This is a common problem on many vehicles, hopefully it will be the solution to yours.

Best Regards!

[Neal]

We just traveled from Columbia, SC to Rhode Island. When we stopped at a rest area I would notice water dripping from the front of the coach. I checked the water and there was no antifreeze in it. I just assumed it was coming from the AC. I did notice the water wasn't come out of the over flow that hung down but from the cover of the AC. When we got to RI I noticed water under my NEW floor.

On ours, we blew air backwards thro the drain hose to unstop it. It then drained down onto the generator & ran in the cabinet where the breakers were installed. So we extended the hose to run past the generator. We also contact cemented foil air bubble insulation onto the outside of the evaporator cabinet to stop it from dripping condensate on top of the generator.

[chajos1]

Old Snipe and Neal, thank you so much for you respond but, I took the rubber off and blew air into the air conditioner with a air compressor, I also was able to stick a flexible snake. But I am still getting water backing up and on to my floor. The water is also coming out for the AC unit, at the bottom.

[Old Snipe]

Holy cow, Joe!

I just realized I met you in Quartzsite in Jan 2006 at the Class of 2005 celebration!  I had the WB Adventurer and we had the two motor scooters.  I think we were parked near each other and you had a problem with your key switch and came into my coach to look at mine.  I was following your blog until you stopped.  Small world, eh?

As to your problem, let me look at my Journey this weekend (yep, I upgraded in 2007) and see if there is anything we might be overlooking.  My Journey should be similar to yours.  Just curious, could it be windshield washer fluid?  Or at anytime did you drive thru rain?  Lastly, are you sure it is not anti freeze?  Our model is notorius for heater core failures.

Best Regards!

[chajos1]

I do remember you. Your right, it is a small world. We are in Rockport, Texas right now and if everything goes right we will be meeting up with Jan and Wes, do you remember them? Any way, my problem. No it's not antifreeze, not windshield washer fluid and it certainly wasn't the heater. I just put in a new floor when we were in SC, when we left there to head north it was hot so I used the dash AC a lot. When we pulled over to take a break I noticed water dripping from the front of the coach. I checked it, and it wasn't anitfreeze. We had been in RI for a few days when I noticed my new laminate floor was swelling up at the seams. When I got up to check it I noticed water UNDER the floor. I have tried blowing air into the line and even the a water hose with high pressure, and that didn't help. I want to repair my floor but can't until I get the water problem fixed. If you want you can't email me.

Nice hearing from you again. Where are you now?

Joe

[Old Snipe]

We're in Northern VA about 35 miles west of DC.  We are not yet fulltimers, our plans got pushed back a bit with the economy going South, so we're plugging along waiting for the property values to go up a bit.   We still travel alot, though, sneaking out whenever we can, doing about 10-12K miles a year.  More than many full timers.   

I'll look at my rig this weekend and see if I can come up with any more ideas.  It sure seems like you're correct in your assumption that it's condensation from the dash a/c.  Just thinking if maybe the drain hose connection has come undone inside the housing.  That might be worth looking into.  Also, you said the fllor was just installed, is there anything that might have been moved around by the installer in the a/c core area, a panel or something removed/replaced and a gasket improperly reinstalled.  I see my flash light will get a workout looking over the area.

We did enjoy meeting you and Char, we had quite a good time at QZ with Tab, Tony the Firedude and others.  Tab had invited me to come and check out the FT lifestyle and it helped my bride to see that it will be alot of fun for us. 

Will get back to you after the weekend.

Best Regards!

[Old Snipe]

Joe,

I nosed around my dash and have come up with a thought.  Out front, if you open the hood and look at your firewall on the passenger's side, you'll see a round heater valve control, it looks like about the size of a salt shaker and is black in color.  It has a little vacuum hose on the bottom.  This controls the door inside the heater core area that closes in one direction when you have the heater on and opens in a different direction for cold air when running the a/c.

Check the little hose on the bottom to see if it is cracked and/or broken.  Every Journey/Meridian I've seen has had this little 1-2 inch hose cracked/broken and leaking vacuum, causing the valve to not close the door in the duct work when it should.

I carry about a foot of vacuum hose with me and have replaced several other folks hoses besides my own.

My theory is that leaking vacuum through the cracked hose is not letting the door shut tight and condenstation leaks though and drips down inside your coach through the heater core area.

Check out the hose.  The foot of vacuum hose cost me about a buck at an auto parts store.

Take a look and get back to us.

Best Regards!

[John Canfield]

Oooh - good tip Paul!

[56kz2slow]

The little rubber drain hose has a "duck bill" valve on the end, they are supposed to stay closed to prevent bugs and stuff from getting up into them, but with enough drain water pressure from the A/C condenser, they open and drain off the water.

The duck bills are noted for sticking closed and not opening when there is water in the hose, causing the water to back up and find another way out.

Take a small screwdriver or a coat hanger and ensure the duck bill is open, you probably will get water to drain out as designed. 

This is a common problem on many vehicles, hopefully it will be the solution to yours.

Best Regards!

My Honda had the exact problem described above. 

[chajos1]

Hi Paul,

Sorry it took so long getting back to you. We are limited on the internet right now. I hope to put a photo on this message showing you the part you are talking about. If it is, I put a new hose on it about 1 year ago. I will probably have to take it to an RV repair shop and get soked again to have it fixed.

Thanks for you help,

Joe

Joe,

I nosed around my dash and have come up with a thought.  Out front, if you open the hood and look at your firewall on the passenger's side, you'll see a round heater valve control, it looks like about the size of a salt shaker and is black in color.  It has a little vacuum hose on the bottom.  This controls the door inside the heater core area that closes in one direction when you have the heater on and opens in a different direction for cold air when running the a/c.

Check the little hose on the bottom to see if it is cracked and/or broken.  Every Journey/Meridian I've seen has had this little 1-2 inch hose cracked/broken and leaking vacuum, causing the valve to not close the door in the duct work when it should.

I carry about a foot of vacuum hose with me and have replaced several other folks hoses besides my own.

My theory is that leaking vacuum through the cracked hose is not letting the door shut tight and condenstation leaks though and drips down inside your coach through the heater core area.

Check out the hose.  The foot of vacuum hose cost me about a buck at an auto parts store.

Take a look and get back to us.

Best Regards!

[Old Snipe]

Hi Joe,

That's the part.  Yours is slightly different than mine, I have the hose on the bottom.  Good pictures, though to illustrate the area.

A couple of thoughts, is the linkage connected to the part free to move by hand?  Also, is there vacuum when the ignition switch is in the "run" position, if you disconnect the hose and cover the end with your thumb?   There is a vacuum pump under the dash that is electrically driven and operates the dash controls.  Can you check to see if it is working?  Look at the fuses and see if there is one that might be blown?

I think we're on the right track here, maybe a couple of quick looks might find the problem before you get "soaked" by a repair shop.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Best Regards!

[Old Snipe]

Oh, one last thing, I think I've overlooked something obvious.  The vacuum operated heater control valve itself could be bad.  Possibly a ruptured diaphragm inside the unit.

I'd have the key in the run position and have a helper operate the heat/cool valves on the dash while you watch the control valve.  If you don't see some movement, it is defective.

I order my WB parts on line, Lichtsinn, near the WB factory is a good source.

I'd hate to see you have a reapair place charge you for something simple that you can fix yourself.

Best Regards!