Over the past 3 months, if I run the HVAC too long (15-30 minutes) I begin to see signs of water saturating the foam much like the Verisa shown in the picture below. However, when I lift the car to access the HVAC drain line, it appears that it is located directly above the catalytic converter heatshield. Is this correct? Is there any way to access that drain outlet to blow compressed air, etc. without having to completely remove the exhaust or disconnect the exhaust?

Some days I do notice a few drips of condensation on the pavement, but they seem too slow and sporadic to keep up with the rate the condensation is created which creates the dampness. If I let the HVAC run too long, as you would imagine, I get a wet passenger side footwell. Just looking for some advice before I go lift her up and start pulling apart the exhaust only to find there was an easier way.


Japan Video that seems to explain the type of issue I'm running into.

Japan Demio (DY) similar issue

Thanks.

 

SOLUTION:


The condensation line exits directly above the catalytic converter and because there is a heat shield, there is absolutely no way to access it from beneath the car without disconnecting the exhaust and pulling down the heat shield enough to access.

I blew compressed air into the drain and everything was clear. It is not a blocked drain plug but instead the condensation line is surrounded with the sponge. The condensation line does not extend below the sponge so when condensation drips it comes in contact with the sponge material. This sponge is the same sponge that you can access from the inside of the car where the water is entering the cabin. What is happening is the sponge material breaks down over time and becomes brittle and more porous, allowing water to seep through the sponge cavities and wick into the cabin. You have two options to fix it.

1. extend the condensation tube 1-2 centimeters with tubing (but you would need to access from under the vehicle).

2. break away all of the old wet, brittle sponge material so no condensation comes in contact with the sponge. Then reseal up the area the sponge filled with high temp silicone since it’s so close to heat shield. Otherwise you will have a hole from the cabin to the underside of the car that could allow in heat, bugs, moisture (humidity) etc to enter the car.

good luck!

 

So I'm going to go back and repair this with a layer of weather stripping or similar. Then I plan to coat it with some kind of silicone caulking or flexible sealant to ensure the gap is closed and I do not end up with all of the Okinawa critters in my car. I'll post pictures once completed.