'88 240DL auto, 124K


Hi,

I'm new to this site, as well as to the wonder that is "Volvo." As you can see by my screen name, I'm a Saab man, but I've always admired Volvo. I found a good deal on a low milage, totally rust-free 240DL, and I couldn't pass it up. It's a great little car!
Here's my question: The A/C condensor is somewhere under the dash, I'm assuming, because the water isn't draining, and my wife's feet get very wet on sharp left turns! Where does the drain hole come out at? My 900 did this once, and I just ran a piece of clothes hanger up through the opening, and it was as clean as could be after that. Any help would be great, and thanks!

Courtney

I did this a while ago and took pics of the job, they can be found
here (Opens new window)
Good luck, as others have said be sure to dry the carpets or rust probably will form.
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California (San Diego area)
'84-245 200K+
'84-245T 190K+
'85-244Ti 200K+
'86-740 230K+
'88-240 180K+
www.volvo2.homestead.com (Opens new window)

Before removing the drain hose from the air box nipple, do this:

Cover the carpet under there with a plastic sheet (shirt laundry bag, e.g.) and put an old towel on top of that. That way when you remove the blocked drain tube and thus allow the water backed up above the plug to flow out, it will not run onto the carpet and maybe down your sleeve. Yuk.

To get the carpets really really dry, they should be removed. BTDT. Pull the front seats (remember the seat heater connections) and take the carpet out. Replace the seats, put some sort of padding under the rails if you want, so you can drive around the few days the carpets will be out. Hang the carpet out to dry for a couple of days. Remove the front under-carpet padding and hang it out, too.

Note the galvanized metal covers that fit next to the outer side of each front foot well. Remove them and check in there for water. If yes, leave them off for drying that wiring harness channel.

Also, roll up some newspaper and stick it back under the seat in that wire harness channel. See if the newspaper gets wet. If yes, you'll need to pull the rear carpet also, as there is probably water in the padding. Remember to remove the screw that holds down the air vent that blows on the rear passenger's feet. Then same deal, hang everything out to dry.

While you are using the car with now carpet, put something to go under peoples' shoes. Old newspapers, front door mats, carpet samples, whatever.

While the carpets are out, you can clean them easily. Most U-Squirt-Em car wash places have a hanger device to put floor mats on and spray them. You can hang the carpet there, and the high pressure soap and rinse will get them really clean. BTDT x 2.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

Dave,

Thanks for the pics! I pulled that pannel off, but never, or would have ever seen that hose! Good idea on the shop vac tool. Thanks to everyone else that responded too.

Courtney

My hose kept clooging from leaf and seed residue, so I trimmed the "pointy" end back a little to create a bigger opening. never had a bug problem.

Drain hose exits cabin just above and to the passenger side of the transmission, nearer the bell housing. The hose-end is molded so as to provide only a slit for drainage, so no bugs can crawl up through. Often the slit gets stuck together (mine does this from undercoating over-spray; also, following a blower replacement using the "cut-the-fan-housing" method, chips of plastic managed to lodge in the drain, requiring a "roto-rooter" with stiff wire). Reach up from under the car and work the end open, allowing accumulated condensate to run down your arm.

Then pull out floor mats and park in the sun for a couple days to dry out; if you're really fussy, remove the carpet to dry (good time to really clean carpet if it's in need).


Tom