hometheaterman

So on our 96 Accord Ex, I've noticed a problem lately. The problem is that under the passenger side of the dash on the bottom of the dash it's getting wet. I noticed about a week and a half ago when using the a/c because it dripped down onto the floor mat slightly. When I felt that whole side of the dash was wet underneath. I thought it might have been related to the A/C. So I haven't used the A/C and it felt dry for several days of driving. Well, today it was raining out but I don't think it had anything to do with it and I felt under there and once again it was wet. You can feel that box thing under there and it just feels like it has beads of water all over it. Other parts feel wet too.
The stuff leaking down there doesn't seem to have a smell. Almost like it's water or something. I expected it to smell like anti freeze.
So I checked the anti freeze anyway and it was pretty low. I can't believe I waited until now. I hope I didn't mess anything up. It did still have anti freeze in the over flow tank but I had to add some to the radiator.

Anyone know what this is? Is this the heater core leaking? Or can it be something else? If it's the heater core how hard are they to change? I've changed the one on my Dodge Ram and it was a pita. I had to pull the whole dash towards the seats to get that box that holds it out. Is it the same kind of setup on these Accords?

PilotOnDubs

iTrader: (6)

if it only waters up when you use the a/c, chances are that you have a clogged a/c evaporator or drain and it just over flows out... (condensation)
but if you do have a leaking heater core, the fluid (coolant) should be colored. like green/blue and such... and if the heater core is in fact leaking, the dash has to be removed. not fun

hometheaterman

Yeah the fluid doesn't seem to be colored or have a smell to it. However, yesterday when it did it I didn't have the A/C on. So that makes me wonder if it's to do with the A/C since it still does it when the A/C is off.

joc1394

The day it was wet and not using the A/C it had been/was raining, correct. If you used the defrost, the A/C may have kicked on to dry the air, thus causing your leak if the A/C darin is plugged. My old Alero used to clog the A/C drain at least once a year and drip water all over the passenger's side carpet.

I'd check/clean your A/C drain and try that. Depending on how hard it rains, you might get some water sucked into the vent system which the A/C would drain off usually (but if its plugged, it can't drain to the outside).

If the heater core is leaking, normally you'll smell it every time you kick the fan on (kinda smells like maple syrup in my experience) and if its just water, you'll start to get a musty/damp/moldy smell after awhile.

Hope this helps!

GhostAccord

x2 The A/C drain is probably ether clogged or disconnected and running into your passenger foot well. There should be a clear plastic tube running from the bottom of the black box, above the passer foot well, out through the fire wall.

hometheaterman

Now it's leaking anti freeze pretty fast. If you drive it for about 2 hours it takes about 1/4th of a jug of anti freeze to fill the radiator back up. I'm not sure where it's leaking form now or if it's related to under the dash being wet or not.

chikin pickle

Your heater core is leaking man. Just accept that if you want heat you are going to have to tear the dash apart. If you don't need your heat, then you can always just connect the inlet and outlet hoses to loop off the core.

TheMuffinMan

iTrader: (1)

I disagree,

Passenger footwell + clear fluid + wet = AC drain 99.9% of the time.

Not too mention there would be a different odor and color if it were coolant of any sort.

It's probably just condensation on the blower assembly you're feeling from the carpet/padding being soaking wet and then heating up during the day.

Check the AC drain tube for clogs and clean it out.

As to the leaking antifreeze I'd be letting the car sit and idle and see where it goes, it could be a bad water pump or something along those lines. Or as simple as a cracked radiator. It could also be that your cooling system was never properly filled and bled the first time around, as you drive it is slowly getting rid of the air.

joc1394

It wouldn't hurt to check your oil really quick to make sure its not a headgasket drinking your coolant. Rule that out ASAP by pulling the dipsitick and making sure the oil isn't milky or really over-filled. Sorry, the Olds I used to drive was notorious for eating headgaskets for breakfast.

Luckily I haven't heard of many headgasket problems on Hondas.

After you check that, I agree with TheMuffinMan. If you don't smell it and it really is colorless inside, it most likely is an A/C drain. I'm betting the coolant issue is a separate thing. Unless you're running straight water as coolant...which I don't believe it a good idea at all...and according to your post you're filling with Antifreeze, so I doubt that you are.

My vote: Coolant Leak somewhere and a plugged A/C drain.

hometheaterman

Yep, I'm running a 50/50 mix with anti freeze. I haven't had time to look at it yet but I'm hoping to in the next couple of days. BTW where is this A/C drain? How can I fix or replace it? Thanks.

GhostAccord

It's between the A/C Evaporator (black plastic box) and the fire wall.


I don't think you need to remove the carpet. This is the only picture I have of the passenger side foot well.