Well, I just bought a 98 SE maxima about 3 weeks ago
After driving it for a week, a friend noticed water leaking on the passenger side floorboard when I was taking a corner.

Alarmed - I came to the .org to do some research.
After researching some, I realized it was a clogged drain tube.

Most people say to blow some compressed air into it, which after taking apart the evaporator case - could solve the problem. But I decided to go ahead and do it "properly"

After struggling with getting the evaporator out - everything else went pretty smoothly. The evaporator case was full of JUNK! (lint like crap, leaves, dirt, etc) The drain tube was clogged with dirt/mud.

After replacing the evaporator, drier, and orings... the car is back together and running like a champ.
I had a friend come by and pressure the system to around 90lbs. It held steady for 30mins. He then vacuumed the system for about 40mins before charging.

Using a meat thermometer - my ac reads right around 45 degrees in PARK.
I'm sure on the road/hwy it'll be cooler.


Parts and cost:
1. New aftermarket evaporator = $90
2. New aftermarket drier = $20
3. New orings = $5
4. 2 cans of r134 = $16


It wasn't that hard and took me a good 5.5 hrs. Hope this helps some take the plunge to clean out or replace your evaporator. Here's a pic of my old evaporator:

Holy crap. I dont wanna know what mine has in it.

I had this problem about 2 years ago and now I'm fighting a corroded ECM. The ECM is located right under the AC vents and if you passenger got wet (as mine did) then your ECM got wet too.

Do yourself a favor and check the EMC connector for any moisture or corrosion before it's too late!

did that come off a car.!!!!

The first time it started to leak, my car started to stutter/hesitate.
Sure enough, condensation was leaking onto the ECU.

At that point, I quit driving the maxima until I could replace the parts.
The ECU will corrode if you let water to continually leak onto it.

This happened to my 1st maxima when my heater core blew up. Had to replace the ecu.

...and all for a blocked drain tube. Expensive fix isn't it

Why didn't you just clean it up and put everytihng back together again.

The AC evaporator is on the passenger side and drain tube is lower than the ECU. The heater core is right over the ECU.

Looks like the previous owner has a shaggy dog.

figured.. while i was in there ~ might as well replace the evaporator
A new one only cost me $90.
I plan on purchasing a new compressor AND condensor sometime in the future to complete my A/C overhaul

Glad I didn't do the "blow compressed air into the drain tube"
because with all that junk in there ~ it wouldn't have taken long to clog right back up.

...or as I did, insert a piece of coat-hanger (Cut sharp at 45deg.) up the drain.

I got a pint of AC juice down my arm!

WOW, even my 91 sentras evaporator was cleaner than that. It had some leaves and debris sure, but it was not covered like that. My 99 max that I parted out was clean as a whistle. Its very disturbing to see what can accumulate in there. Too bad 4th gens didnt come with cabin filters!

I think my drain tube maybe be clogged because I have gotten the wet passenger floor before. Is there anyway to remove just the bottom half of the evaporator box while leaving the evaporator connected?

nope

Yoou can open the front edge on the evaporator box by removing two screws and a clip, enough to clean out the drain area.

Thats how far I did get, didn't look too bad in there from what I could see. Anyone have any recommendations of a disinfectant to rid mildew odors thats not gonna make my car smell like cleaning products?

Hey runyun972 can you repost that picture of the evaporator core? Thanks

I have a 04 Maxima and the wet floorboard happened to me also....is there a way that I can clean the drain tube without taking it to the mehcanic?