R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Huge water drip under car (AC On) - Normal?

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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 05:39 PM
  #1  
pmanliu's Avatar
pmanliu
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Huge water drip under car (AC On) - Normal?

Hi All,

Recently acquired a 06 R53 a month ago with 60k miles, and been paranoid about checking every single thing with the car. I noticed that a puddle of water (clear, odorless) forms under the car with the AC on, and that is normal from the condenser. However, after a hour drive today with the AC on (low setting) today, i blasted the AC to max upon arriving home and the constant drip turned into a stream of water. Is this stream of water dripping out with the AC on max a normal occurrence? Temps here are in the low 90s/high 80s, humid. Took two videos below for reference.

AC on low = slow steady drip:


AC on max = constant stream of water:

Thanks in advance!
 
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 06:06 PM
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DneprDave
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This is normal, especially if you live in an area with high humidity.
 
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 06:30 PM
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pmanliu
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Originally Posted by DneprDave
This is normal, especially if you live in an area with high humidity.
Thanks Dave! I was worried that the 'waterfall' under the car with AC on max isn't normal, but good to know that its one less item to add to the repair list... for now
 
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Old Aug 13, 2017 | 05:51 PM
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ItsmeWayne
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From: Southern oregon
Originally Posted by DneprDave
This is normal, especially if you live in an area with high humidity.
X2 ac draws moisture out of the air and cause much water to be released out if the evaporator drain tube on the passenger side behind the engine!
Not to worry!
 
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Old Aug 15, 2017 | 12:30 PM
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if the drip STOPS when a/c is on ... you have a problem!

That drain line can get clogged or dislodged ... then the water is going 'somewhere else' and that is often bad .....

btw, have you ever noticed your home a/c also produces a run off?????
 
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Old Aug 15, 2017 | 01:25 PM
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pmanliu
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Originally Posted by Capt_bj
if the drip STOPS when a/c is on ... you have a problem!

That drain line can get clogged or dislodged ... then the water is going 'somewhere else' and that is often bad .....

btw, have you ever noticed your home a/c also produces a run off?????
The dripping i know is normal, was just surprised by the amount as shown in the second video. But yes, better this than a clogged drain pipe and moldy interior.

I live in NYC in a condo. The condenser (mini split ac) is off in some magical place i dont know about... probably the roof and dripping down on tourists
 
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Old Sep 22, 2019 | 08:09 PM
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omg this is so crazy, it was a hot day in so cal. took a 20 mins drive to a park with AC on w/ fan level at "1". i got to the parking lot and just sat in the car for about 20 mins. there a stream of freaking water already out to the next parking space. this is my first time using the ac, just bought the car 2 weeks ago.

yea i know that water drips when AC is on, that's how AC works. BUT i have never seen so much on a car before.

why is it soo much on a mini when other cars aren't this much?

 
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Old Sep 22, 2019 | 08:22 PM
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ItsmeWayne
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From: Southern oregon
I think you are just freaking out! Was it just water? If so, it is the AC drain off. I have seen this much before. The low speed fan allowed much more water to freeze on the evaporator.
 
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