Volkswagen: 2003 Beetle heater drain tube clogged, coolant level, drain tube

Question
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have water on my floor (passenger side) when I run AC. No coolant odor, coolant level OK. I was told by a mechanic that the heater drain tube may be clogged. Where is drain tube located and how can it be cleaned or uncloged? Not covered repair under Std warranty or extended warranty. VW dealer wants tons of $$ in troubleshooting labor to make sure if the analysis. Can not find a diagram or manual for car locally.
Fax 507/332-5673 if you have diagram or e-mail.
Thank you,

Dave   

Ron:    I have been under the car a dozen times and can not find the drain tube. Wouldn't you know it is cool today and could not find another VW like it in a store parking lot, etc with the AC on the locate the tube. Can you give me a geographical reference to another feature under the car? Is is a plastic tube or metal? Is it black or chrome? Is it nearer the midline of the undercarriage or the outside. Even front-to-back with the mirror, the center or back of the front wheel? I'm L-O-S-T! The dealers and even VW are no help other than to say how obvious it is. Can not find a picture as the 2003 Chilton's manual is not out. Would it be the same as a 2000 Beetle? Where can I see a picture?

THis is my home e-mail which I can check after 5 PM tomorrow. My daytime e-mail is dcuster@ifpinc.biz. The original Question ID is 4081614. I really hate having a dealership take advantage of me when it seems so simple and I have done so much on my own in the past. Thanks for helping?

Dave  

Answer -
Hey Dave,

This is an easy fix, usually.

First, here is the official problem (we suspect)

1) Air Conditioning Evaporator drain hose is clogged.

(The part that creates the drip is known as the evaporator, it has a hose which takes the water and drips it on to the street.)

It sounds as if that hose is clogged.  Well, the outlet is located under the car, passenger side. (by the footwell)  It looks simply like a little drip-tube.

If you are able to take a thin wire and snake it up there a little bit, you most likely will be able to fix the problem.  Watch out, as if you break up the leak,  you will have a nice gush of water coming out the bottom of your car.


Second,  The A/C hose becoming clogged is rare for the beetle.  Just in case, here is another problem that causes water by the passenger's feet in that car (even w/A/C on).

I'm giving you plan "B" and assume you have a sun-roof.  (90% of the passenger-side foot leaks are caused by the sunroof)

Here is the FIX:

Open passenger side door, near the hinges you will see a little black hose that appears pinched closed.  Take that and roll it with your fingers and feel for any debris.  If water comes out,  you found your problem.  Repeat the procedure on the drivers side as well.


So,  those are the solutions to both fresh-water drips in a 2003 Beetle.  Try it out, be careful and please let me know how you make out.   If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Good Luck!

RW

Answer
Hi Dave,

Perhaps the problem is that the tube may have come out all together.  (or fallen off)

I agree, the dealerships can be pushy and take you for a lot of $$ to fix what otherwise is, a simple problem.

Let me look at some of my reference guides and try to find where the tube runs. Again, the tube is pretty obvious, so if you are having that much trouble looking for it,  it may have fallen off.

I will also look to see if VW did any mid-year changes and the tube would be somewhere else.  I highly doubt it, but I will check that as well.

No worries, we'll find it.