AC Condensation Drain 335d

Evergreen24 · 08-05-2018, 02:00 PM

My 335d seems to be draining condensation from the AC directly underneath the compressor. I don't remember this happening last summer, so I think it may be new. I recently had work done to the AC system (new evap core and new compressor).

I had the evap core replaced at a dealer in Houston (Momentum BMW. Don't ever go there. Story for a different thread, but seriously, do not go there.)
I hadn't noticed any issues myself, but it was a warranty repair, and would probably need to be done eventually anyway, so I figured whatever. The AC compressor has also been replaced shortly thereafter.

Now I notice drainage in the location pictured below. It's turning the under shield, which is basically cardboard, in to a soggy mess. There is enough water pooling up on the inside of the under shield that it soaks through and drips to the pavement.
I would expect to see condensation drips more toward the middle of the car, but not up at the front passenger side as in the picture.

I thought this might be oil from the boost hose at first, but I can confirm that it is not. It is, in fact, (cold) water.

Does anyone else's 335d (or other M57) dump condensation right there? What would cause this?
The first picture shows the water soaking the under shield on the front passenger side. The second shows some of the water pooled on the inside--it's not a great picture, but you can see the flash shining off some of the pooled water. It's the best I could do.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice on diagnosis?

mecheng77 · 08-05-2018, 03:05 PM

I can’t help you directly but it’s good to turn off your a/c a few minutes before you turn off your car to dry the condensate on the Evap

Evergreen24 · 08-05-2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mecheng77

I can’t help you directly but it’s good to turn off your a/c a few minutes before you turn off your car to dry the condensate on the Evap

I've heard that. I do it from time to time, and it does make a difference in the smell--although it doesn't totally eliminate it. I'm not as worried about the smell as the actual drain of the condensation, though.

unrulyteach · 08-05-2018, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by mecheng77

I can’t help you directly but it’s good to turn off your a/c a few minutes before you turn off your car to dry the condensate on the Evap

I've heard that. I do it from time to time, and it does make a difference in the smell--although it doesn't totally eliminate it. I'm not as worried about the smell as the actual drain of the condensation, though.

I just don't recirculate the air. I can't even think about turning a/c off before i get to my destination, it's way too hot

ptpending · 08-05-2018, 08:09 PM

e90 condensation drain is under heater core in dashboard, condensate draining on gearbox and evaporates from hot gearbox case

Bimmer_Engineer · 08-05-2018, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

I can't even think about turning a/c off before i get to my destination, it's way too hot

You can say that again...also I’ve heard some bad stuff about momentum bmw...Peake bmw in NOLA is pretty poor too...

Efthreeoh · 08-06-2018, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptpending

e90 condensation drain is under heater core in dashboard, condensate draining on gearbox and evaporates from hot gearbox case

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Evergreen24 · 08-06-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

unrulyteach · 08-06-2018, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

What color?

Efthreeoh · 08-06-2018, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

Coolant.

Evergreen24 · 08-19-2018, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

What color?

Color is clear.

And it's cool to the touch. So I don't think it's coolant.

unrulyteach · 08-19-2018, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

What color?

Color is clear.

And it's cool to the touch. So I don't think it's coolant.

Windshield washer fluid?

Evergreen24 · 08-19-2018, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrulyteach

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The drain for the AC is next to the transmission on the right side of the cassis right about even with the output flange. It drains onto the ground.

Right, so what would be draining in the front of the engine bay on the passenger side?

What color?

Color is clear.

And it's cool to the touch. So I don't think it's coolant.

Windshield washer fluid?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Windshield washer fluid?

Didn't smell like it. But I'll look again.
I guess what I'm getting here is that this is not something other people experience?

unrulyteach · 08-19-2018, 11:51 AM

U don't hav headlight washers by chance do u?

Evergreen24 · 08-19-2018, 11:57 AM

I do not have headlight washers, no.

unrulyteach · 08-19-2018, 02:18 PM

I'm guessing it's ur DD, is the leak present after over night parking

Evergreen24 · 08-19-2018, 02:21 PM

No, it's only present after the engine has been running.

Is it possible that it's condensation from the AC compressor that's supposed to drain somewhere else?

unrulyteach · 08-19-2018, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergreen24

No, it's only present after the engine has been running.

Is it possible that it's condensation from the AC compressor that's supposed to drain somewhere else?

I'm not sure

08-05-2018, 02:00 PM	#1
Evergreen24 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	AC Condensation Drain 335d My 335d seems to be draining condensation from the AC directly underneath the compressor. I don't remember this happening last summer, so I think it may be new. I recently had work done to the AC system (new evap core and new compressor). I had the evap core replaced at a dealer in Houston (Momentum BMW. Don't ever go there. Story for a different thread, but seriously, do not go there.) I hadn't noticed any issues myself, but it was a warranty repair, and would probably need to be done eventually anyway, so I figured whatever. The AC compressor has also been replaced shortly thereafter. Now I notice drainage in the location pictured below. It's turning the under shield, which is basically cardboard, in to a soggy mess. There is enough water pooling up on the inside of the under shield that it soaks through and drips to the pavement. I would expect to see condensation drips more toward the middle of the car, but not up at the front passenger side as in the picture. I thought this might be oil from the boost hose at first, but I can confirm that it is not. It is, in fact, (cold) water. Does anyone else's 335d (or other M57) dump condensation right there? What would cause this? The first picture shows the water soaking the under shield on the front passenger side. The second shows some of the water pooled on the inside--it's not a great picture, but you can see the flash shining off some of the pooled water. It's the best I could do. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice on diagnosis? Attached Images Last edited by Evergreen24; 08-06-2018 at 03:19 AM..
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08-05-2018, 03:05 PM	#2
mecheng77 Colonel 1024 Rep 2,259 Posts Drives: 2007 328i / 2014 M235i Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] [0.00]	I can’t help you directly but it’s good to turn off your a/c a few minutes before you turn off your car to dry the condensate on the Evap
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08-05-2018, 08:09 PM	#5
ptpending Colonel 535 Rep 2,934 Posts Drives: e81 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	e90 condensation drain is under heater core in dashboard, condensate draining on gearbox and evaporates from hot gearbox case __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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08-19-2018, 11:51 AM	#14
unrulyteach Colonel 398 Rep 2,369 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: myrtle beach sc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	U don't hav headlight washers by chance do u?
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08-19-2018, 11:57 AM	#15
Evergreen24 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I do not have headlight washers, no.
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08-19-2018, 02:18 PM	#16
unrulyteach Colonel 398 Rep 2,369 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: May 2016 Location: myrtle beach sc iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00]	I'm guessing it's ur DD, is the leak present after over night parking
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08-19-2018, 02:21 PM	#17
Evergreen24 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2011 335d M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	No, it's only present after the engine has been running. Is it possible that it's condensation from the AC compressor that's supposed to drain somewhere else?
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