What to Do If Water Enters the Car Air Conditioning Vent?
2 Answers
Slightly open the low-pressure valve and slowly release the refrigerant to avoid carrying away the refrigeration oil, then replace the dryer. Evacuate the system (for more than half an hour); recharge the refrigerant and start the engine. Turn on the air conditioning switch for a test run. After running the air conditioning for 5 minutes, the system operates normally with good cooling performance, and the outlet temperature of the evaporator is between 3°C and 4°C.
I've personally experienced water getting into the AC vents once. I remember driving in heavy rain with the windows not fully closed, and rainwater poured directly into the vents. I immediately turned off the AC to prevent water from penetrating deeper into the system, then dried the external water stains with a dry towel. After parking, I turned on the ventilation mode to promote air circulation and help dry the interior, worried that lingering moisture might cause mold or electrical shorts. A few days later, I checked the air ducts to ensure there were no unusual odors and recommend regular use of anti-mold spray as a preventive measure. If the water intrusion is significant, it's best to have it professionally cleaned to avoid long-term damage to the AC compressor or electrical circuits. Also, avoid directly spraying water at the vents during car washes—developing good habits can save a lot of trouble.
