Hello,

I have some problems with AC in my Fabia 2003 1.9 SDi and after changing many parts on it's AC system I figured that I don't see the wet (condensation) spot below the car anymore. I presume that the evaporator/drain is dirty and that it cannot properly drain the condensation and that's why I have inconsistent AC. I tried to clean the evaporator drain tube from the engine bay but it cannot be reached because of the intake manifold and thermal protection panels. I tried it from the pit below the car but it's the same story, so I got the idea to take the glove box out and roll the carpet down to try cleaning the evaporator and hoses. So I'm asking is it possible? Did anyone did it before? Where is the drain located? How hard is to roll the carpet? I now taking the glove box is easy.

Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks

There is no hose, just a short plastic tube coming straight out of the bottom of the evaporator housing. It can be found under a flap of soundproofing, in the engine bay. You'll see that there's a lump in the sound insulation next to the two heater matrix hoses, tear or cut that material and you can see it.

The lack of dripping condensation may simply be because the sound insulation which the pipe drips onto is providing a good evaporating surface in hot weather.

See this thread for some manufacturer drawings of the position (item 8* in first image, item 5 in second), both show a LHD car;

RHD has the drain on the other side of the matrix hose connections.

AIR CON LEAK - Skoda Roomster (2006-2015) - BRISKODA

Item 1 in the second image shows the flap of material that can be torn upwards to reveal the drain. There are perforations in the material, like on the edges of a postage stamp.

Edited 15 July, 202515 Jul by Breezy_Pete

I've looked at those pictures literally, minimum, 10 times in the last 7 days and watched many videos that I could find. I think that those pictures are relevant in the MK2+ models, but not in the MK1's. As I've said, I cannot see the lump from the engine bay because I think that there isn't one. Also, I would have tried to find the problematic lump, but as I've said, I have the intake manifold in front of the insulation which makes it difficult. It's the 1.9 SDi and the intake manifold is very big. I supplied the picture of the engine bay I found online for illustration. There isn't enough space to even reach the insulation with palm of my hand.

About the condensation evaporating part - I really don't know, I know that as long as I remember I had the wet spot below the car after AC was running and now there is nothing there, not even after parking the car.

I'll take some photos on my mk1 after breakfast. It is exactly as shown, but mine's RHD, so mirrored.

Access from below may be best option if you can't reach from above.

It almost certainly isn't the problem with your A/C though.

There are many other more likely problems.

Have you checked that the radiator fans work at both speeds?

Thank you for your patience with me and for taking your time to make a couple of pictures.

About the AC system in the car - Compressor was taken off and checked, It was said that it is good. New compressor clutch was installed, new PAG oil put. AC system was vacuumed and filled with new refrigerant. After one year the refrigerant level was checked and it isn't leaking refrigerant (10% max as it is supposed to). The AC condenser fan was replaced. The evaporator was cleaned from the inside with the AC foam cleaner and a fresh cabin filter was installed. Now the AC is mostly working but sometimes is not? In, for example, 33 degrees Celsius, after taking the car from the garage (not it being in the sun, baking) I, alone in the car, need to turn the AC (fans) on at least 3rd, often 4th speed to make the driving tolerable. Sometimes AC is blowing absolute arctic cold and I use no more the 2nd fan speed.

I've noticed that when I turn my AC on, the car, when in neutral, tends to have random RPM spikes which, I presume, correspond to the compressor cycling. I understand that the compressor turns off when it reaches the set temperature but these RPM spikes randomly happen. For example, 3 times in 5 minutes when there is absolutely no chance the the AC achieved the set temperature (car was parked in the sun). I'm waiting for my VCDS cables to arrive and I'll try to scan the codes hoping that maybe a sensor or two is faulty. Maybe interior temperature one, maybe AC high pressure switch, etc...

Does the car still have its original condenser and radiator? Both may be rather blocked with airborne debris by now, 22-years on from build.

I just changed both of mine last week. But if no leakage of refrigerant or engine coolant, probably a lot of effort for not much gain.

Anyway, here are some photos.

Edited 16 July, 202516 Jul by Breezy_Pete
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Thank you mate! You don't know how much this helped me.

I tried to find this lump from below the car but couldn't do it to save my life. Definitely I need to remove the air filter housing first and then try cleaning the drain. If not possible from the engine bay will try again from below the car. This will be the first thing I do on the weekend. I think that the evaporator has never been cleaned from the inside.

Car has original condenser and radiator. I cleaned the radiator with a soft brush too. Changed coolant (not as a try to service this AC problem but as a general service). Doesn't leak, doesn't need coolant, engine temperatures stay at the middle, always.

About the 22 year old car and service - I'm afraid, It's just how I am. I like to have my cars in the best state possible (if it isn't something too expensive, also I'm a junkyard connoisseur :D). I took care of all the rust, freshly painted some parts, all the plastic trims are almost "like new". I have another, newer, car which I use for longer distances, but I like this Škoda and it's 1.9 SDi for daily commute, because it's a hardworking donkey. It is lazy for sure, but also doesn't have a DPF, simpler EGR, no costly fixes, very fuel efficient, it just goes and goes and goes...

28 minutes ago, Boslo said:

junkyard connoisseur

I like it. 😀