I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt. the past few days I had smelled like what was a mildew smell. I thought the kids had spilled something so I went to shampoo out the carpets. While I was shampooing I noticed a drip of some kind of fluid coming from a black box looking thing that was mounted behind my console where the stereo and AC was. It is dripping onto the passenger side floorboard. It isn't constantly dripping just every once in a while it will drip. It also seems that when the car hasn't been driven in an hour or so the drip will stop completely. I will take it to the dealer because it is under warranty. Does anyone know what this problem could be and is it safe to drive?
2006-06-25 09:29:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The fluid is clear, it looks like water and it has no smell either.
2006-06-25 09:41:03 · update #1
I have been running the A/C quie a bit, I live in Florida! The shampooing that I did seeomed to get the smell out for now.
2006-06-25 09:43:31 · update #2
UPDATE!! I took the car to the dealer today. They said that is was a gasket under the dash was bad. I guess it is the gasket between where the A/C condenser is mounted and the box that protects it. Unfortunately the part was not in to repair it right away. He said he would be in about 2 days from now. Until though it will continue leaking. Just to put an old towel down to catch some of the water. He also stated that the carpets in the newer cars have something that is supposed to keep it from mildew. He said that they would vacuum out the excess water and hopefully the carpet could be saved, if not they will replace it. Thanks for all your comments. It sounds alot worse than it is..
2006-06-26 11:30:02 · update #3
If it's near where the A/C is mounted then my guess is a defect in your system is allowing the humidity to enter the cab instead of go out the tailpipe. The dealer will fix this.
2006-06-25 09:55:00 · answer #1 · answered by the.guru 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Have you been running the air conditioner? If so, the drain is probably plugged and what you see is the water that should be dripping on your driveway leaking into your car. This could explain the mildew smell too. You should take it in as soon a possible to get the drain unplugged, unless you don't mind crawling under the car to do it yourself. The mildew smell is probably coming from the box under the dash and that might need to be professionally cleaned if the smell don't go away. This is nothing to fool with or let go. This is a health hazard if this is the case.
2006-06-25 09:40:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being as the liquid is not odorous,and not oily, the liquid leaking is condensation from your a/c. That problem is covered under your warranty, It is safe to drive so don't worry about that . Get it looked at as soon as possible, because eventually it could ruin your carpet. In fact make sure your dealer checks the jute pad on the underside of your carpet, it could be soaked also causing the mildew odor. Removal of the carpets is also covered under you warranty, because of the leak !!!! If you need anymore help or advice in this matter , feel free to e-mail me .... It is probably as simple as your evaporator core case drain is plugged up, easy repair !!!!!
2006-06-25 10:05:01 · answer #3 · answered by john l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like your A/C is not draining the water off look under the passenger side of the car behind the wheel on the body you will see a little hose that looks like it is just hanging there so get you a coat hanger and run it up in it. This will open it up and the water can drain off
2006-06-25 09:43:11 · answer #4 · answered by dl200558 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The liquid is water from the AC unit. It is suppose to drain outside, but the drain may be plugged. When the water can not drain outside, it leaks into the car. Take it to the dealer and have them clean out the drain.
2006-06-25 18:32:19 · answer #5 · answered by joatmon585 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have an AC drain that is either plugged up or it has come off. Clean the debris or replace the hose and you should be fine. The car should be under warrantee, so off to the dealer you go.
2006-06-25 10:55:41 · answer #6 · answered by mailbox1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What color is the fluid? is it yellow or clear like water? If it's clear water, it sounds like your a/c evaporator is freezing over. I don't know where the heater core on your car is, but if it's yellow, that would be coolant leaking from your heater core.
either way, it's safe to drive. just check your coolant level in case it's the heater core and add if needed.
2006-06-25 09:37:17 · answer #7 · answered by Iloveitwhenyoucallmebigpoppa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hose to your heater core maybe loose or the heater core is damaged
Keep an eye on the level of your antifreeze to see if it is going down
It is safe to drive
BUT
It will eventually rot your carpet and also get into the wires and switches under your dash
If it gets bad enough you will lose your antifreeze and maybe overheat your engine
It should be fixed ASAP
2006-06-25 09:37:42 · answer #8 · answered by Vulcan 1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your Heater Coil might be going out. and since its behind the dash you are getting fluid from your radiator. I have had the same problem before.Take it in as soon as possible
2006-06-25 09:35:39 · answer #9 · answered by pistolpete797@yahoo.com 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the rad. if the fluid is down if so might be the heater coil or a/c drainage tube got disconnected
2006-06-25 09:34:09 · answer #10 · answered by ssanchez2002 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋