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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'91 Honda, A/C
Flooding and Rat's Nest
Q:
I've had my 91 Honda in five times since they replaced the
evaporator/compressor because the water is draining INSIDE the car. Not
once after it left their hands has it drained outside the car. And, yet,
I've had the car for ten years and it always drained outside--until April.
They keep telling me it's a rat building a nest inside--maybe once I'd
believe that but not over and over--I drive almost 1000 mi. a week (and
did for three years before this with no drainage problem). Is there another
reason why it's not draining correctly? Is there a hose not connected
properly or could something be misaligned? This is getting to be absurd.
A:
A rodent assaulting a vehicles ventilation system can be
disastrous. One of our customers, Laurie, had a family of rodents who
decided to store their winter nut supply in the heater of her Toyota.
Im not talking a nut or two here, the heater and duct work were
loaded. She drives her vehicle daily. What happens three days later? The
advanced planning team of the rodents noted the missing supplies and restocked
the Toyota! Now Laurie is short of flipping. Who can blame her? When youve
got rodents that are big enough to be hauling all those nuts into a car
over night, you have to be concerned. More than once Laurie made it clear,
she doesnt like rodent type things. Add the fact that they are getting
into her car, you now have the recipe for a very demanding solution, NOW!
My first suggestion was to cut back on the cat feed. Why do cats have
sharp teeth and claws? Well, its not to eat the fish paste out of
a can. "My cats are inside cats," was Lauries reply. How
about night vision or infrared goggles? I made a few other suggestions
of some cool equipment, but Laurie was not impressed. The solution was
simply parking the car in a different spot in the drive. The A/C drain
in your vehicle must work or there will be problems. If you do not believe
the shop performing the repairs is doing their job then go to a different
shop! If you have a rodent rebuilding in your heating system, the problem
has to be addressed! Rodent droppings can contain a very nasty virus.
You do not want the ventilation system in your vehicle blowing this virus
in your face. If rodents are calling your vehicle home, then you have
do whatever is needed to evict them. May I suggest some night vision or
infrared goggles?
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