After noticing the dreaded condensate water in the passenger footwell of my '07 XKR (14k miles) from clogged A/C drain tube, I diligently checked the forum and found that I needed to: either drop the tranny and update the A/C drain hose; remove some exhaust parts and cut off the end of the drain hose; or add a new DIY drain hose behind the carpet in the passenger footwell. OK, says I: put in the DIY drain and that way, you can access and clean it easier if it clogs again.


So, looking in to the footwell with carpet removed, I see the little triangular funnel on top of the drain tube over the tranny in the center of the dash. See the low, black piece in left center of pic. Hmm. Maybe if I whacked it ( I used a 12" x 1/2" steel rod) it might loosen up the tube and start draining. I really didn't want to drill holes in my mint XKR floorboards. Sure enough, a couple whacks resulted in a fine half pint of drainage onto the garage floor. Problem solved, at least for now, and all it takes is pulling back the carpet and whacking the tube a couple times. Less than 10min work. It's been draining fine for over a week now.

 

Harve,

I've moved your thread from XK8/XKR (1996-2006) to XK/XKR (2006 onwards) forum. This is the place for posts about your model.

Graham

 

This is great information but I wonder if you could clarify exactly where the triangular piece is - for the life of me I cannot identify it in your photo! Where exactly do we whack???

 

I can't see it either in the picture, can you edit your picture and circle or highlight where it is or another pic.
The only thing i see in your picture that looks like a pipe is where i have the arrow pointing to. Is this it.
Thanks

 

+1 thank you for the useful information, but please make a mark on the photo to ID what you are referring to. Thanks.

 

I do believe this is the drain relief in the air box where the line is contained.

 

So far I don't have this problem and hopefully it has been corrected in MY. I was thinking though why not become an auto surgeon. If you look at how orthoscopic surgery is done why not use a bore scope to find the duckbill and one of those remote pick tools to squeeze it open. Don't know if it would work but I would bet at least you can see the problem with the bore scope. My 2 cents here.

 

I think he means the area I circled in red.

It looks like the area he mentioned, left center of photo and is probably connected to the drain tube. Black thing hanging down in the center of the dash but maybe he can confirm.

 

Hloucks, you say "I see the little triangular funnel on top of the drain tube over the tranny in the center of the dash", can you see the drain tube itself.
So now we have 3 different ideas of where the drain pipe might be, if this a quick and easy solution is would be great. Could make up an air hose connection to give it a good blow now and again. Has anyone had a look at theirs yet.

 

Sorry guys, I should have been more clear regarding the area. Yes, DpezXK8 circled the correct area for the drain in red. The black plastic condenser housing has a little triangular shaped "funnel" over the center of the tranny tunnel that has the drain tube attached to the bottom. You can't see the drain tube from the passenger foot well, but you can easily see the funnel and get to it for a little whacking. I wouldn't recommend hitting it too hard as I guess it could break. I hit it 5 or 6 times about as hard as I would hit a finish nail in carpentry. The car is still draining properly now after a couple weeks.
Good luck,
Harve

 

So this is the funnel where the water gathers and then goes out through the drain tube. What about if a small hole was put in this funnel, would water come out, or a hole the size of a small cleaning wire (coat hanger) put in to clean the tube. A air hose on/off connection could be another option, for blowing it out, wonder would it work. The previous owner had the fix done as i have the receipts, so hopefully it wont happen again.

 

Powerhouse, you took the idea right out of my brain! If, in fact, the hose is on the other side of that "triangle", why not use a Dremel and surgically cut out and gain access?

 

Who's going to be the first to operate, if the hose is just behind this area, what a save of time and money, go on someone give it a try and pics.

 

What a good idea. I'm reluctant to use an air valve fitting for fear of using too much pressure, but a plug covering an access point for a pipe cleaner might just do the trick. Again, good thinking.

 

Hloucks, your solution sounded way too easy, but I took my socket extension, whacked the plastic a few times and water started pouring onto my garage floor! I don't know if it's fixed for good, but it's fixed for now! Thanks for the tip.

GovtSlug

 

I'm next, going to whack mine tonight. Ha!

 

GovtSlug --- glad the A/C drain "whacking" worked for you. My drain seems to be still working now 5 months after whacking. I'm keeping an eye on it, but no water in the passenger foot well yet, even with long trips in hot, humid weather. I'm still inclined to remove a section of exhaust, and cut off the end of the tube the next time I have the car up on jack stands. Good luck,
Harve Loucks

 

Well, I gave it a try. Pulled carpet back and gave this plastic area a little knock or two with a long bar, and I started noticing drips under the car. Drove around for an hour or so in 95 deg and no drips inside. Seems this works. Well played guys. Thanks.

 

Did same mod to my Lexus 06 GS 300. Paid dealer $400 to do then Jag.

 

Is the another $400 dollar hammer story? LOL!