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XK coupe, 2010
Simple fix. Used cheap ($25) flexible borescope through the center air vent and down air channel to visualize the ac evaporator. Then placed vinyl tube along side borescope and visualize in same area as evaporator. Use syringe to inject dilute chlorine solution through tube and let sit for several hours. Do this 2-3 times. Rinse with water.
Great idea, but your solution is not entirely clear to me. Are you saying that injecting diluted bleach into the AC evaporator will drain down and eventually open the end of the duckbill that is stuck together?
Bleach kills mold and mildew. Is that the cause of the duckbill sticking together, or is it road grime and heat? I just don't see how bleach can open up the duckbill. But obviously it can because it worked for you.
I think a spray silicone penetrating lubricant would work better to unstick the duckbill and keep it from sticking together.
Just to add, here's a way to fix the duckbill that seems to have a few advantages compared to the above (sorry)
-takes less than an hour
-no chemistry or borescope needed
-only needs to be done once, not repeated
Thanks WLM, I've got a borescope camera and yesterday I removed the blower motor and pushed the camera into that area from the side through the ducting but couldn't locate the drain tube. Are you saying then that there's a direct path down to it through the center vents? Will try this tomorrow, at least to see if I can figure out what's wrong with mine.
Did you remove the vent itself or just go in between the louvres?
Gents I picked up a 2010 XK and had ‘the problem’. I had a 07XKR a few years back and the dealer I bought it from did the big fix. On the 2010 the dealer isn’t quite as stand up plus he’s down in Philly where I picked it up. I’m in NY. After many attempts and mangling my left arm I was able to ‘finger’ the duckbill (new style) and remove some sludge. I couldn’t get in there with the blade taped to my finger. Just didn’t have the feel for it. I was able to really wiggle the end of the bill so I hope I cleared it. Mines a 2010 and does have the carpet soundproofing to deal with so I went in through the seam. I also got a boroscope but couldn’t locate the duckbill with it. I did go down through the center ac vent with it and could see the exchanger but not the duckbill. I went down with rubber tube and injected a few syringes of a diluted RidX solution. I’ll let you know if it’s fixed once I get a have to test it. Cheers!
Well I got to drive the car today and am pleased to report that after a 40 minute drive home no condensate dripped into the foot well. After parking in the garage 2 puddles appeared under the car. A small one under the passenger seat but a larger one on the drivers side. Not where I expected it to be but I’m calling this a win! Cheers!