Dripping Pipe Forward of Firewall

BarryBD · 08-08-2008, 06:25 PM

Hi everyone. I'm totally new to the forum. Hi!

I've just starting parking my 2005 Escape in a garage (previously on gravel drive) and am noticing a small puddle of what appears (and smells) to be plain water. I've traced its point of origin. It's coming from an open-ended pipe that comes forward from the firewall .. low, near the bottom of the firewall. I've included 3 images here to describe it better.

The first one is from the ownership manual, showing the general location of the pipe ...

The second one is a general shot of the main engine components. The pipe is dark and out of focus ...

The third one shows the pipe itself properly focused and exposed ...

I'm suspecting it may be an airconditioner condensation draining pipe .. but I can't find mention of it anywhere. Does anyone have knowledge of this pipe?

Thanks in advance.

doncoll · 06-12-2009, 04:56 PM

Having the exact same problem. Havent used the AC yet either.
Have you resolved the problem?

Don

BroncoJoe19 · 06-12-2009, 05:22 PM

Great pictures!

I'm not familiar with the car, but suspect that it is condensate from the evaporator coil of the AC.

It is possible that one could get some condensation occuring in there without running the AC, and The AC will run on some vehicles in just about each fan setting except vent.

ElectrolysisDoc · 06-12-2009, 06:14 PM

Absolutely right BroncoJoe!
Condensation forms because the humidity present in the air is "pulled" out by the cold evaporator which is below the dew point. Many times the A/C is on and running even when not specifically requested. Since the condensate accumulates in the evaporator housing, we need to channel it out. And that is what you are seeing: cold, clear fresh water.

BroncoJoe19 · 06-12-2009, 07:08 PM

So that would be distilled water... perhaps we should collect it and use it to top off the battery

ElectrolysisDoc thanks for backing me up, and the pat on the back. I only surmise stuff, but you... KNOW! :ThumbsUp:

doncoll · 06-13-2009, 10:31 PM

Great answers, thanks for the info.

ElectrolysisDoc · 06-13-2009, 10:36 PM

12Ounce · 06-14-2009, 12:07 PM

Distilled water ?? ... well yes, but somewhat contaminated by air and surface pollutants. However, it is pure enough to be an aggressive oxidizer ... and will quickly rust any exposed steel. So you may want to extend that "pipe" with a length of hose if the condensate looks like it could cause rust problems by dripping on framework.