Air-con dripping. Normal or faulty?

[maxp]

Hi guys,

I bought myself a 2002 ford focus on Tuesday and am very happy with it. It is the first air-con car I have owned which is very handy in this weather .

I used it today for a 15 minute trip, and whilst it cooled the car very well, I noticed after getting out the car that there was a constant but slow drip drip drip of water below the aircon unit.

Is this normal or is it faulty?

[DrTre]

normal

[Astra Dan]

Clean clear water is a good sign.

[Astra Dan]

Clean clear water is a good sign.

[cuprabob]

Absolutely normal

[markmullen]

Condensation, perfectly normal, I tell all my customers it will happen when aircon used in hot weather, it doesn't stop half of them ringing up worrying when it happens though.

[LuS1fer]

Normal. The condensation can be quite alarming in its quantity sometimes.

[soad]

Perfectly normal.

[maxp]

Great stuff. Thanks guys.

[BrewsterBear]

LuS1fer said:

Normal. The condensation can be quite alarming in its quantity sometimes.

When I had the 996 C4S it used to leave a foot diameter puddle every time I parked it up in warm weather. It was quite disturbing as coolant loss on those can be catastrophic, but it was just the condenstion from aircon.

As long as your puddle isn't oily (aircon coolant) or sweet tasting (antifreeze) then it's absolutely fine.

[Wacky Racer]

Called the AA out last month when my wife's VXR Astra dripped water on the garage floor.....



Better to be safe than sorry though.....

[Denis O]

As others have said, perfectly normal as condensation drips.

Couple of other things to remember as you are new to air con/climate.

Run it at least once a week, all year round, to ensure everything is working well. The refrigerant gas contains an oil which keeps all the seals moist which helps prevent leaks. Many people leave their climate on all the time (I do) and it certainly helps keep the system in tip top condition.

Consider a regas to be a service item to be done every 5 years. The system will lose gas in the normal course of events and for £50 and 45 minutes of your time, it's best to get it done. You'll always be cool in the summer and your windows won't mist up in the winter.

[Bill]

Wacky Racer said:

Called the AA out last month when my wife's VXR Astra dripped water on the garage floor.....



Better to be safe than sorry though.....

Brave admission









I ended up crawling around under my car on a fuel station forecourt before working it out for myself

[markmullen]

Denis O said:

Run it at least once a week, all year round, to ensure everything is working well. The refrigerant gas contains an oil which keeps all the seals moist which helps prevent leaks. Many people leave their climate on all the time (I do) and it certainly helps keep the system in tip top condition.

Not only does it keep the system running well but in winter aircon'd air clears misty screens quicker than normal.

[Denis O]

markmullen said:

Denis O said:

Run it at least once a week, all year round, to ensure everything is working well. The refrigerant gas contains an oil which keeps all the seals moist which helps prevent leaks. Many people leave their climate on all the time (I do) and it certainly helps keep the system in tip top condition.

You'll always be cool in the summer and your windows won't mist up in the winter.

Not only does it keep the system running well but in winter aircon'd air clears misty screens quicker than normal.

I think I said that Mark