04 Taurus Pasanger floor wet

[larrylwill]

We got a used 04 Taurus this week, we drove it yesterday and found the passenger side floor damp this morning. So I stuffed a rag under where something is going through the firewall. I beleive the air conditioner outlet. Today we drove it all day and tonight the rag was wet and the under blue fiber mat was wet, enough that there was some water on the metal floor. It has been raining on and off for the last 3 days, so It may be rain or road splash or air condition. This afternoon I ran a water hose all over the windsheild and passemger siide but didnt see any water comming in. I beleive its the air conditioner although the plastic cover doesnt have any water comming off it.

Any Ideas what to look for and how to find the leak? Where does the air conditioner run off come out of the condenser?

Thanks

[sahib]

I believe there should be a drain hose coming from beneath the evaporator (condensor is the one in front of the radiator) somewhere to drain off the condensation created when the A/C is operating. If this is plugged or missing it is going to go to the floor. Not real up on this A/C stuff but sounds like something I would check on. You may have to crawl under the vehicle to check it. Post a come back if you will as I and probably others would be interested in how you fix it. Good luck.

[larrylwill]

I ran the car and found that water is comming out of the plastic opening on the firewall about 1/2 way down on the passeger side. This is where most of the outputs are. However I notised that there was no hose on it. So I suspect that the hose came off and the fan and air preassure is blowing the water back in. So today I will add a hose. I will keep you posted on the results.

I have put a hose on it and ran the Air for about 15 min and about 1 cup of water came out. I beleive this was the problem. Last night I ran it for about 10 min without a hose and didnt see any water comming out, but could see the drops blowing in the fan stream back into the opening.

[larrylwill]

Im still fighting the water on the floor. Here is the results thus far. There was NO hose on an oval plastic output from the condenser on the firewall. I put a hose on it. I drove around almost all day and did not notice any water untill about 3 hours into the drive. I opened the hood and found that the hose was missing. I didnt glue it in place.
I placed a plastic mat on the passenger side after I got home and this morning I had about 1/2 cup of water on it. I glued a new hose on the output. Its an old wet dry vaccumm hose with ridges. I ran the car for about 15 min and didnt see any water comming out of it, but did see some drops on the floor again. So I removed the plastic liner under the dash and found what looks like a fan near the passenger side and firewall. It has a black plastic shroud over it with what looks like a moter cover, all molded. There is a hole in the rounded motor cover and thats where the water is comming from. I checked the new hose and pulled it further down. It was slightley pointing up. I think a smooth hose would be better. I ran the air for 15 min and had water under the car, none inside.

[sahib]

Hi Larry (I'm guessing), I just came in from dismantling a '91 Taurus (wrecked) and noticed there was no hose on the end of the evaporator drain. I checked the '94 Taurus and the '99 Windstar and neither of them has a hose either. I don't think they put a hose on the drain any more. As long as the spigot is protruding out of the firewall and is not obstructed, you should be OK. Sorry if I lead you astray, didn't intend to.

[larrylwill]

no you didnt, I have heard that there is no hose either, however I do know that without the hose the water wont drain, so Im guessing the something is either clogged or assembled wrong. As long as it drains with the hose I dont care, Ill leave it.
thanks

[Willyum]

Larry, What did the dealer have to say about it?

[larrylwill]

The dealer I bougt it from was a local used car dealer that does mostley rebuilds for the last 32 years here. I live in the boonies. I did talk to the loca;l Ford dealer and he looked for a recall or fix and found nothing. I also talked to the local junk yard and they said last wek they got a call from a woman with an 04 Taurus with the same problem, she was a freind of the mechanic, he told her to take it to the dealer. I have also heard from someone that they have heard of others with the same problem. This is not the first car I have had with this problem, most times it comes from fungus and junk laying in the drain clogging it up. The fix is usually to blow air back through it. I had an 84 Lincolin that had the problem and it had an output tube that used to collaps, it was soft rubber. I eventually had to replace it. If I removed it it would dump all the water on the floor. Also I live in south Alabama and the last 4 weeks the daytime temp has been over 90 with humidity from 70-90%. Its raining everyday for the last 3 weeks. I might not have this problem if the humidity was lower.

[Willyum]

Larry, Unless it has over warranty miles on it would think that Ford would do something for you. If not call the zone office or arrange a meeting with the zone rep when he visits the dealership and duke it out with him. I live in hot and dry climate from you and is a rare occasion that a drop of water comes out of my '02's drain.

[larrylwill]

It has no warentee. It has a salvage / rebuild title. In Alabama a car can be rebuilt if it is inspected by the State and issued a sticker befor and after the rebuild. However since it was once salvaged it has no Ford warentee. It was backed into at a rental dealer in Georiga when it was 3 months old. The drivers doors were replaced and the rear quarter panel. The engine compartment, interier, undercarrage, roof, trunk was un affected.

[Willyum]

Larry,
Have you posted the question on www.batauto.com? Several good technicians answer questions there.

[larrylwill]

No I didnt know about that place. I will now.
Thank you

[larrylwill]

Problem solved. A small upsidown J shapped rubber hose from the condenser output makes the water drain proper. The wife drove the car all day today and no water on the floor.