I, too, have some sort of Air Conditioner Problem

[rockybeach]

Hello! Please go easy on me, as I know VERY little about cars but I have a recent issue with my Vibe. I miss the Car Talk guys, as this would have been a fun question.

About a week ago, I noticed the AC was making a strange sound. Initially, it sounded kind of like sand moving back and forth in the interior of the car where the AC would be when I would turn, like something was moving. Looking back on it, it's definitely some sort of liquid. AC at the time though was still working fine and was cool.

A week later, I make a hard right turn and on the driver's side, all of a sudden, some of liquid leaks out onto my right foot! I've NEVER had anything like that happen in my years of driving. Obviously, acknowledged that was strange. Then, about 4 - 5 days later, AC stops cooling altogether. During this time it did smell kind of plasticy (yeah, i know, BAD).

I'm super terrible with cars. I tried to do some research online but struggled with narrowing down what it is. Does anyone have a clue as to what this could be? I thiiiink it may have something to do with a coolant thing? I want to be educated and make sure to not be taken advantage of in going in a car shop and also want to prepare for how expensive this expense may be. Any help would be incredibly appreciated!!!!

[jolt]

What did the liquid look and smell like? What color was it? If the liquid was engine coolant/anti-freeze, then you probably have a bad/leaking heater core. Anti-freeze does not get along with electrical items and if it leaked on wiring, connectors, etc, then you would also have damage to other items too.

It is hard to say at this point because more detailed info is needed.

[vibrologist]

Things that came to mind:
1. Leaking heater core. (I agree with jolt).
2. Condensation. If the drain hose is plugged condensation will accumulate and may spill out somewhere.

I hope it is condensation because that would be easier to fix. Get the hose unplugged. Beyond that I would have the evaporator cleaned and disinfected. Any foul smell would come from micro organisms living there.

[Rayven01]

Here's my guess:

Got water in my blower motor because my AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN WAS PLUGGED.

Easy fix... passenger footwell u will see a tube zap strapped to a nozzle that pokes thru the firewall, which is your AC drain... pull off hose and poke up 3 inches or so into AC drain tank and clear all the leaves and pine needles that have fallen into your vents.

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