A/C - Water Mist From Dash Vents
No: 82/03/04/NASFGN LN4J2
Ref:
*Issue: 2
Date: 25 January 2005*
Water Mist from AC Dash Vents
AFFECTED VEHICLE RANGE:
Freelander (LN)
All up to VIN 4A446290
Updated information is shown by asterisks and gray shading.
SITUATION:
WATER DROPLETS FROM DASH VENTS AT HIGH FAN SPEEDS
There are several potential causes for the symptom. Changes implemented for the 2004 Model Year may accentuate the problem in some vehicles depending on conditions:
^ The evaporator drain tube outlet end (engine bay side) does not seal against the suction of the blower motor. This causes the air to be drawn up into the evaporator, and at high fan speeds prevents the water from draining from the A/C system, forcing it out of the face level dash vents.
^ The evaporator drain tube inlet (inside the passenger foot well) does not seal properly to the evaporator outlet drain nipple. This causes air to be drawn up into the evaporator, and at high fan speeds prevents the water from draining from the A/C system, forcing it out of the dash vents.
^ The evaporator drain tube is incorrectly installed. The drain nipple is not correctly engaged into the drain tube.
^ The evaporator drain tube is blocked or kinked by the carpet or insulation.
^ The evaporator drain tube is blocked by debris from foreign material or particles from the insulation tray within the evaporator. The debris prevents water from draining from the NC system and forces it out of the face level dash vents at high fan speeds.
RESOLUTION:
CLEAR ANY DRAIN TUBE OBSTRUCTIONS
Upon owner complaint of water droplets being expelled through the center dash vents while Air Conditioning is in use, perform the various repairs in this bulletin as indicated by the vehicle condition.
PARTS INFORMATION:
DDW WARRANTY CLAIMS:
DDW requires the use of causal part numbers. Labor only claims must show the causal part number with a quantity of zero.
Normal warranty policy and procedures apply.
Material allowance is included in labor operation.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
CONFIRM THE FAULT CONDITION AND REPAIR
REPAIR 1 - EVAPORATOR AND DRAIN ALIGNMENT
1. Remove the two nuts securing the evaporator to the bulkhead (Figure 1).
CAUTION:
The evaporator is still connected to the A/C pipes. Do not apply undue force to the evaporator as damage may occur.
2. Release and pull back the evaporator from the bulkhead.
NOTE:
Interference between the carpet or insulation materials and the evaporator housing mounting points can result in improper alignment and crimping of the drain tube.
3. Check that the carpet or insulation is not covering the evaporator lower mounting point holding the evaporator away from the body. (Figure 2)
4. Verify that the carpet or insulation is not fouling the drain tube. (Figure 2)
5. If the carpet or insulation is covering the evaporator lower mounting point, or if it is fouling the drain tube, locally trim away the carpet/insulation with a knife to permit the evaporator mounts to directly contact the body and ensure the drain tube is clear.
6. Install the evaporator to the bulkhead ensuring proper alignment of the drain nipple and tube.
NOTE:
Carpet or insulation between the evaporator housing and bulkhead can result in misalignment of the housing or crimping of the drain tube.
7. Install and tighten the two nuts securing the evaporator to the bulkhead.
8. Start the engine.
9. Set the heater blower motor to fan speed four.
10. Turn the A/C system "ON".
11. Set the air distribution knob to the dash vents face level vent position.
NOTE:
Temperature and humidity conditions must permit running of the Air Conditioning and cooling of the vehicle cabin. Thirty minutes is an approximate time required to verify that the repair is satisfactory. There is NO time allowed for the 30-minute test.
12. Run the engine for 30 minutes.
13. After 30 minutes observe the end of the A/C drain tube in the engine bay and perform the following:
^ If there is water (continuously or dripping) coming from the A/C drain tube, return the vehicle to the customer.
If no water is coming from the A/C drain tube Repair 2 will be required.
14. Turn off the engine and observe the end of the A/C drain tube and perform the following:
^ If water is only dripping from the A/C drain tube for a short period perform Repair 2.
^ If there is no water dripping from the NC drain tube perform Repair 3.
REPAIR 2 - INSTALL NEW DRAIN TUBE
1. Inspect the end of the drain tube under the hood to determine if it is misshaped or damaged.
2. If not misshaped or damaged perform Repair 3.
3. If the tube is misshaped or damaged perform the following:
^ Remove the two nuts securing the evaporator to the bulkhead (Figure 1).
CAUTION:
Because the evaporator is still connected to the Air Conditioning pipes. Application of excessive force to the evaporator can result in damage to the pipes.
^ Release and pull back the evaporator from the bulkhead.
^ Remove the drain tube from the bulkhead.
^ Install the new drain tube to the bulkhead.
4. Install the evaporator to the bulkhead ensuring proper alignment of the drain nipple and tube.
NOTE:
Carpet or insulation between the evaporator housing and bulkhead can result in misalignment of the housing or crimping of the drain tube.
5. Install and tighten the two nuts securing the evaporator to the bulkhead.
REPAIR 3 - REMOVE DEBRIS OR BLOCKAGE FROM HOUSING
1. Check for blockages in the drain tube under the hood.
2. If the tube is blocked, flush out and unblock.
NOTE:
GTR lookup sequence is as follows:
GTR Home> NAS > Service Information/ LN Freelander/2004 > Workshop Manuals > Service Procedures> Bookmarks "AIR CONDITIONING" > "Evaporator."
3. If the drain tube remains blocked after flushing attempt and cannot be unblocked with the evaporator installed, perform the following:
^ Refer to Global Technical Reference (GTR), section 82.25.20 and remove the evaporator housing.
^ Flush out, unblock and remove any debris from the evaporator and drain tube prior to re-assembly.
^ Refer to GTR section 82.25.20 and install the evaporator observing all the steps in Repair 1 for installation of the housing and drain tube.