***Easy Fix For The Clogged AC Drain***
07-17-16, 01:40 PM
#32
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NY
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Well like many other owners I recently developed wet carpets in the back and damp carpets up front. After searching the forums I saw how common the problem was and TSB's that addressed the issue. Although I could drop the tranny and gain access to the plug as posted in the DIY by another member it seemed as if there was a better way. Well this is what I did and it took all of 20 mins start to finish with no unbolting of the exhaust, tranny or drive shaft.
After driving the car up on ramps I removed the black plastic cover from under the tranny held by 4 screws and 2 plastic nuts. Then used a lighted inspection camera with a flex head to see the plug. I purchased the camera from Harbor Freight Tools for 80 bucks. Next I used 11 inch long needle nose pliers with a right angle tip. With my left hand I snaked the flex tip camera up and over the tranny from the pass side just above the shift linkage. Then with my right hand I was able to get my arm up between the suspension and catalytic converter with the pliers. Keeping the camera focused on the plug I was able to guide my pliers to the plug and remove it.
I let the car run for 10 mins with the windows up and the AC on high to confirm that water was now coming from the drain. With my car long out of warranty this would have been an out of pocket expense. Just for safe measure I am going to pull the rear seat bottom and the front seats to remove the carpet. This allow me to clean the carpet thoroughly and spray lysol underneath to kill any possible mold spores as I am not sure how long the water had been there.
Hopefully this will help others. SInce its doesn't take very long to complete I would recommend others with 2006-2007 GS or IS cars do it as preventative maintenance. It can save alot of headaches and potential dangerous mold from forming in the carpets. With the factory mats covered with rubber underneath this can go undetected for quite a while.
After driving the car up on ramps I removed the black plastic cover from under the tranny held by 4 screws and 2 plastic nuts. Then used a lighted inspection camera with a flex head to see the plug. I purchased the camera from Harbor Freight Tools for 80 bucks. Next I used 11 inch long needle nose pliers with a right angle tip. With my left hand I snaked the flex tip camera up and over the tranny from the pass side just above the shift linkage. Then with my right hand I was able to get my arm up between the suspension and catalytic converter with the pliers. Keeping the camera focused on the plug I was able to guide my pliers to the plug and remove it.
I let the car run for 10 mins with the windows up and the AC on high to confirm that water was now coming from the drain. With my car long out of warranty this would have been an out of pocket expense. Just for safe measure I am going to pull the rear seat bottom and the front seats to remove the carpet. This allow me to clean the carpet thoroughly and spray lysol underneath to kill any possible mold spores as I am not sure how long the water had been there.
Hopefully this will help others. SInce its doesn't take very long to complete I would recommend others with 2006-2007 GS or IS cars do it as preventative maintenance. It can save alot of headaches and potential dangerous mold from forming in the carpets. With the factory mats covered with rubber underneath this can go undetected for quite a while.
02-21-17, 10:29 AM
#34
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Florida
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2006 is350 great write-ups to get this fixed. I didnt disconnect anything, like some of the others, I could feel the grommet by putting my arm up the drive side of the transmission, as someone said, its between the 3rd and 4th bolt from the front on the transmission. I couldnt do anything with it though, so I put a mirror up the passenger side of the transmission and used a cellphone flashlight to find the grommet ,then with the mirror in place, i put my arm up the driver side and was able to get some pliers on the grommet to get it pulled. (I'm 6'1 205 with decent size forearms, so did get a little scratched) water flows like a champ, now, when the a/c is on. thanks for all the posts, hope this helps someone
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Farqui (07-11-17)
07-18-17, 06:15 AM
#36
I did this over the weekend and it was pretty easy and only used a regular plier. On my GS300 rwd the best way to reach it putting you arm up the passenger side where the linkage is at. After I located it, I got the plier up there and removed it. It looks just like the image posted in this thread. Unfortunately, I can't take out the carpet since it has been raining but I am leaving the windows open since I have roofed parking in my building and it had been drying pretty quickly.
07-18-17, 07:08 AM
#37
I have spent 3 hours under my 2006 GS 430 and can not find the grommet... I also have an inspection camera and have looked everywhere the grommet could be and can not find it. I am also able to reach up on the passenger side by the tranny linkage with my hand and move it around but I only feel the sprayed foam that is above the tranny on the tunnel. Very frustrating... LOL. Is it forward of the linkage, which on the 430, is on the passenger side? Would it be dead center on top of the tranny tunnel? Very tight getting anything above on the drivers side... I also looked towards the rear, above where the exhaust curves around and found two bolts with what looks like a very small plug(smaller then a dime) between them. This will not pull out and may be something that is inserted on the carpet side. Please help me before I go nuts... LOL.
07-18-17, 06:59 PM
#38
I have spent 3 hours under my 2006 GS 430 and can not find the grommet... I also have an inspection camera and have looked everywhere the grommet could be and can not find it. I am also able to reach up on the passenger side by the tranny linkage with my hand and move it around but I only feel the sprayed foam that is above the tranny on the tunnel. Very frustrating... LOL. Is it forward of the linkage, which on the 430, is on the passenger side? Would it be dead center on top of the tranny tunnel? Very tight getting anything above on the drivers side... I also looked towards the rear, above where the exhaust curves around and found two bolts with what looks like a very small plug(smaller then a dime) between them. This will not pull out and may be something that is inserted on the carpet side. Please help me before I go nuts... LOL.
07-25-17, 02:42 PM
#44
08-15-17, 01:13 PM
#45
Found it with the inspection camera and was able to poke it with a heavy gauge metal rod that I slight bent at the end. Was able to open up the drain and water came out. Did not look like a grommet but a plugged up rubber opening. Good thing is it now drains.... Thanks guys.