Excessive AC condensation?

[Travino]

My beautiful 94 Q45 with 97K miles on it has suddenly started leaving pools of water when I park it. I can see it is coming from the right side near the firewall. It will leave a little stream about 8-10 inches wide and 10+ feet long. It just suddenly started this. I live in Southern California and use the "auto" seting. I have also notice that a couple of times it seems to continue putting out cold air to the point I put it in economy to get the AC to shut off.

TIA for any help.

[maxnix]

My beautiful 94 Q45 with 97K miles on it has suddenly started leaving pools of water when I park it.

Maybe becasue it's getting hotter and more humid?

I don't think there is such a thing as excessive AC condensation as it is a function of the air temperature and humidity and volume going across your evaporator core, which has its own temperature. The temperature differential precipitates the water vapor the now chilled air can no longer hold.

[AZhitman]

Travino - First of all, welcome to NICO!

Second, that's really not a terrible amount for a well-functioning system. You may want to check and make sure your drain hose is clean and unobstructed, but in humid summer weather that thing can really dump some fluids!

As for the A/C getting TOO cold, I notice mine tends to cool beyond what I think the temp setting I selected. However, the Q accounts for sun impact via the sensor on the dash, so it may "think" it's hotter than it really is. Either way, too cool is way better than not cool enough.

Welcome again - Hope you enjoy our forums!

[911/Q45]

What temp do you have set on the HVAC display? Does the unit blow warm air if you turn the temp up to 85°? I've got a mark on the floor in my garage from the puddle mine leaves every day. I usually leave my temp on 78°, if you set your's lower there could be some icing in the evaporator that would increase the after parking drainage.

[Travino]

Maybe it is not excessive after all. The only reason I thought there may be a problem is the sudden onset and other peoples remarks that their (non Infiniti) cars did not have as much condensation as mine. Someone even suggested their was not enough oil in the refrigerant causing the condensor to have to "work" too hard.

I do have it set at 72, so maybe if I set it a bit higher that will reduce the volume...and my stress about it.

Thanks everyone.

[maxnix]

I do have it set at 72, so maybe if I set it a bit higher that will reduce the volume...and my stress about it.

Might be a good thing to have the pressure checked, and think about flushing it and replacing the dryer.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

[forecast]

if it's JUST plain water on the ground, no amount is too much.

If you feel the the AC is over cooling the cabin - that could be the result of a broken cabin temp sensor.

If you still have the little service manual bible in the case that came with the Q, look up how to do the HVAC self check - hold "OFF" for five seconds within 10 secs of turning the ignition on.

Do it in the shade with the windows down once and once in the sun. Do it with engine running and again without running

Part of the self check is to operate all accutors and show individual reports from all sensors. Use a normal themometer to compare the reading from the cabin temp sensor to what your themometer shows actual cabin temp to be.

[Q451990]

You've got to remember that the Q has an excellent system when it's working as designed with a fairly large evaporator - thus more condensation. I noticed that when I first got the car, and like you said, it's more noticeable when it starts pulling the humidity out in the summer. If the evaporator was freezing up, you'd see white "smoke" coming from your A/C vents. Also, the system has several safeguards built in, like the dual pressure switch in the receiver dryer, to ensure that the systems turns off if the pressures get to a dangerous range that could harm your compressor.

Set the temperature where you like it and don't worry about it!

Heath

[forecast]

Oh, also my Q drips condensor water onto the RH exhust manifold below the o2 sensor - I've always assumed this is normal and designed to evaporate/boil the water rather than just let it run out on the ground. Perhaps your condensor drain has changed a little and now the water misses the manifold when the vehicle is stopped.

[landtodd]

As long as it's water, it's nothing to worry about. Mine dumps a lot, too. Enough that I have tasted it to be sure there's no coolant involved. Of course this kind of taste-testing is the primary reason why most chemists of the 19th century died young . . .

[911/Q45]

No dogs in your neighborhood I hope?

[Q45tech]

"The rate-dependent step for EG metabolism is the ADH-catalyzed step. Ethyl alcohol binds much more easily to ADH than ethylene glycol or methanol do. Because ethanol is the preferential substrate for ADH, metabolism of EG may be essentially blocked by the presence of ethanol. This is the basis of one therapy used in the US "

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic177.htm

For future reference: if someone tries to posion you with EG in your sweet iced tea immediately drink a half pint of Vodka or Oral loading dose: 0.8-1 mL/kg PO of 95% ethanol in 6 oz of orange juice over 30 min.

As for petrochemicals: think about how much the oil drillers/refiners get on a daily basis.http://www.cam2.com/msdsbf.htm

I only bring this up because several local policemen were killed by EG from allegedly wife's tea.

[Travino]

Well I have not tasted it, But it is a clear liquid. The AC and heating work great.No dogs big enough to account for the volume.I have heard it hitting the exhaust. IF I ever do get married again I will remember not to let my wife make tea.

[911/Q45]

The dog question was in reference to Todd's taste test!

[Q451990]

"...if someone tries to posion you with EG in your sweet iced tea immediately drink a half pint of Vodka

Done! :alcoholic