2008 cobalt ls is leaking water on ground on passenger side

[Eaglei22]

I notice that sometimes my car leaks water out onto the ground out of the firewall.

It didn't rain today but it did yesterday, so I am not sure if water is getting in somewhere and then leaks out eventually or if it from moisture in the air.

I haven't used the ac in awhile so it's not that but I do drive an hour home from work. I noticed this one before but today, when I parked the was a bunch of water dripping where I said into puddle on the garage floor. And I saw drip marks on the driveway. It's only sometimes. What is this and is it a big deal? I dint remember it happening before and it's not coming inside.

 

[YelloEye]

At least it's not on the inside. Toss some cardboard under it, perferrably white, and see what color the fluid is. If it's just plain ol water there shouldn't be any in your car that isn't mixed with antifreeze so it shouldn't be an issue.

Are you running the windshield defroster at all?

 

[Eaglei22]

At least it's not on the inside. Toss some cardboard under it, perferrably white, and see what color the fluid is. If it's just plain ol water there shouldn't be any in your car that isn't mixed with antifreeze so it shouldn't be an issue.

Are you running the windshield defroster at all?

I put some on my finger the other day and it was clear, but ill try the cardboard too. I usually drive with the setting to run defrost and floor vents. But I don't see the a/c light on or feel it running.

You think using that setting is somehow creating condensation somewhere?

 

[YelloEye]

When on any setting to the right of straight up the A/C is running if the fan is on. This is because dry air defogs better than wet air. Your A/C unit is probably running all the time if you have it set there.

You can test this by turning the fan on low with the car running, point the vent knob straight up to floor. Then take it one click to the left, you will notice that the car idle changes and sounds a little less labored because the A/C pump turns off.

This image shows the direction that A/C is on, anything from where the needle is now and right the pump runs, if turned to the left 1 or more clicks the A/C turns off unless the A/C button is pressed and is lit up.

 

[Eaglei22]

Ah then that's probably it then. Didn't realize that because I figured the ac was only on if the light was illuminated which doesn't seem to be the case I will check the idle and see if there is a difference. Maybe it'll save me a little more on gas too.

Thanks!

 

[YelloEye]

No problem. A lot of cars are like that, manufacturers don't want to blow wet air onto your windshield because it will cause more fog.