I drive an 2006 Acura TL. I went outside and found a huge puddle underneath passenger side front door. The fluid was clear. I cannot stress how huge the dried puddle spot was. I drove it home from work. Then I come outside a few hours later to find died puddle. Help please.

 

Sorry to inform you that that is a very common failer of the hvac unit/system. Parts alone is about $2500 plus labor.

The system is leaking drip drip dripping under the dash and working its way into the passenger wire loom onto the floor.
BTW you just been punked! The h2o is normal/expected, water from the ac condenser. There is nothing wrong with the car. Have a great day.

 

It's quite simple. Open hood, check for missing fluid. For sure it's not an oil, oil takes time to dry. 2 options remaining, coolant and windshield washer fluid. You said passenger side, because i'm not sure where you draw the line to say "from here to the wheel its passenger", check both. Chances are if your sensors are working, if either of those came to a critical level, the car would have told you. So last option is, somebody took a piss on your car.

 

So this isn't a issue?

 

Are you experiencing any issues with the car other than that?

 

No sir

 

If all your fluids (read: windshield and coolant) are good and A/C runs fine, then I wouldn't worry about it. That's where the A/C drain is I believe.

 

Okay many thanks for you're help!

 

if you have the AC running and no fluid on the ground then it will be a major issue.

 

Even with the car parked for 8 hours and AC on full, it will never create that much condensation

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say never depending on where you are.

Depends mostly on the relative humidity. In the swamp in the summer you can get a puddle that size at a long stoplight.

EDIT: But an AC condensation puddle shouldn't leave much residue when it evaporates. Since it's just condensed water from the atmosphere it will re-evaporate with only trace contamination remaining, much less than you'd be able to see on a dirty driveway like that. Maybe in a cleanroom you could tell, but not like that.

It could be easier to tell what it is when the puddle is wet.

AC condensate tastes like water. Coolant tastes sort of sweet. Gas tastes like it smells. Brake fluid tastes bitter. Dog piss tastes like piss.

 

Wait. So you came out to your parked car and there was a puddle.

Do you mean like, before you drove it you saw the puddle?

Or did you drive home and then see it?

I'm confused by your sentence order...

What happened exactly, in order?

Did you have two puddles at two separate times? Because the picture is of the drive side but you said the puddle was under the passenger side.

Can you say the problem again?

 

LOL

 

welcome to Houston during the summer month you can get that puddle within 30 mins in parking.

 

Even after an hour parked with AC on in very hot weather, above 30 degrees, i get a puddle maybe 6in in diameter, but I think your other point, about the residue, is much less debatable. AC drippings are clean water basically, this picture looks like the guy rince an engine that was dirty as hell. I'm not sure if coolant leaves a residue when it dries, but if it doesnt, and its not windshield washer fluid either, I don't thing you should worry as there can be no other fluid that comes from your car and can dry out within hours that could produce a puddle that size.

 

Yeaaaaahhh... This is just one of those things you need to trust people on... Because, not to sound too condescending, but your weather is cute. In Houston (sup truongh!) when it's 98F (37C) and 98% humidity, I can make a puddle that big in 30 minutes. Note, I didn't say my car... *I* can. Like, mow the lawn and lose 10 lbs of water (over a gallon / 1L). Running the AC in the car can easily pull that much water out of the air. It's disgusting.

I'm still unsure what OP actually observed. It's likely not a problem, I'd guess most probably AC condensate. Especially since losing that much of an important fluid would likely produce a bigger and noticeable problem.

I'd still leave a slight chance that it was an unrelated event, like a dog whizzing nearby or a spilled liter-a-cola or something.

 

It was after I was done driving.

 

Don't be afraid of words...

So you drove home from work and parked.
After _____ minutes you noticed a puddle of clear liquid under the passenger side front door.
After a few hours you came out and the puddle had dried and moved to the drivers side of the car and left what you took a picture of.

How long after you parked until you noticed the large puddle?
How did the puddle move to the drivers side when it dried out?
When did this occur? Date/Time?

 

Ok ya i'll give that to you, but don't be too condescending, Montreal might have "cute weather" compared to houston, but not compared to Miami, where I spend a few weeks out of the year. I go there to escape the harsh winter here, and in summer when it's scorching hot (as in cook an egg on your hood hot) to enjoy the warm water. I also can relate to 98% humidity, when you set foot outside and the heat hits you like a brick wall, breathing becomes uncomfortable, taking your dog for a walk becomes intense sweating sessions, eating outside only happens after sunset, not to mention the real chance of heatstroke if you do spend time outside and don't protect yourself.

I might have not paid so much attention to it, but I don't recall ever seeing such a spill of condensation under a car.


There is one thing that will settle this condensation theory about OPs source of problem, he's in Kentucky. It hasn't been more than 22 degrees in the past week. At 22 degrees, you have to have serious heat intolerance not to just roll down the windows instead of putting on AC. So in that case, your dog piss theory seems much more plausible

 

I came home after work Tuesday. Which was a cool day. I had the temperature set to75 on my ride home. After a an or two later the puddle was there. The slab I park on is has minor incline you wouldn't notice unless you spill something that with a lot of volume such as a lot water or whatever came out my car, I don't know but my conditioner is working and no lights are on yet.

 

That's a crap ton of something. I'm not sold on it being from the A/C, in Kansas we have days like in Houston 110 degrees 100% humidity and I've never had a puddle/river like that from any of my cars. I guess to test the A/C theory, pour a glass of water on the ground where you park and see if it stains the pad like in the photo. I guess it could be the water mixing the gunk already on the pad if so? I would be concerned if I came out to my car and found that.

 

This is what I was thinking as well....

 

Ultimate solution: Park car, jack front, secure car. Lie in front and observe. Then as the drops fall, get closer and pinpoint problem.

 

Come on guys... seriously? You guys are killing me.


: what:

 

May have just ran over a water bottle.