2024 Rubicon X AC Question

[StonerSR25]

Bought a 2024 Rubicon a couple weeks ago. I live in Tucson, so this time of year the AC is running all the time. I am now starting to get a sour smell from the AC vents. When I got home today after I parked I checked to see if there was any water condensation from the AC unit draining anywhere. I did not see any condensation water at all under the vehicle. I normally see some from my other cars and trucks, so not sure if a drain line is plugged up of if this is normal. Any thoughts, ideas or recommendations??

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[AZpueblo]

Bought a 2024 Rubicon a couple weeks ago. I live in Tucson, so this time of year the AC is running all the time. I am now starting to get a sour smell from the AC vents. When I got home today after I parked I checked to see if there was any water condensation from the AC unit draining anywhere. I did not see any condensation water at all under the vehicle. I normally see some from my other cars and trucks, so not sure if a drain line is plugged up of if this is normal. Any thoughts, ideas or recommendations??

My '24 Rubi X does drip condensation underneath (near the transfer case) like it's supposed to do, so definitely look and see if the drain line is clogged or kinked.
Secondly, before you turn off the A/C, make sure the vent button is not on Recirculating (LED off). The fresh outside air helps to dry it out a bit, so it may minimize the smell.
Finally, (and I've done this in the past) make sure you're set to outside air (again, recirculating button off), turn the fan to High and spray Lysol into the interior air intake from the outside (the air intake is near the base of the windshield near the wipers). The Lysol will kill the bacteria that make the sour smell.
BTW, I live in Tucson too!

 

[azjl#3]

autozone AC spray, not the car smell like a tree stuff, actual lysol type spray.

That, and when driving home, go just full vent to get all the cold out before shutting down.

 

[StonerSR25]

Shortly after I made the original post, I went to the dealership and they did not have time to put it up on a lift and check it. They did give me the same information you did about turning off the recirculation button and running it for a bit prior to shutdown. That did take care of the smell. I like the Lysol idea and will try that also. I will be taking it in for an oil change in the next couple weeks and will remind them to check the drain line. I have yet to see any condensation under the Jeep. Nice looking 392!! We live way out on the east side of town, will keep an eye out for ya.

 

[AZpueblo]

I'm NW but Tucson is a big little town, so sure to see you around!
Also, if I do have to go to the dealer, I use the Larry Miller Dodge Dealer on 22nd and Columbus. They have great Jeep mechanics there, even though they are not formally a "Jeep" dealer. I even get my Jeep parts there too. Just a suggestion.

 

[StonerSR25]

Thanks, always good to know where the best folks are to work on your cars.

 

[StonerSR25]

Update:

just dropped off the jeep to get a quick oil change done at 3000 miles. Went to a different dealership than I originally purchased the vehicle at that’s closer to my home. They’re gonna take a look at the drain tube to see if there’s a problem, but in order to clean out the system clogged by the plugged drain tube, they want to charge me $200 to clean the system out.

They said if I took it back to the dealership where I bought it they might do it under warranty. Also, he said they are not able to communicate with the other dealership to see where I brought it in for the same problem, so much for being able to take it to any dealership and get it serviced.

 

[StonerSR25]

Another interesting thing was I made the appointment for the service here online on my JEEP app on my phone. It does not show up on their system here and apparently they’re double and triple booked for my appointment time. Even though I selected this dealership in the app. The service writer gave me a card with a link to make a direct appointment here at the dealership so it shows up on their system.

I have to say I am new to the whole JEEP experience, but based on what I was told, it’s not what I expected

 

[morph860]

I used one of these kits on my last Wrangler:

https://a.co/d/4oByXRV

It was easy to use and did the trick. But if yours is only a few weeks old, probably best to have the dealer fix it.

 

[uzabat]

Update:
just dropped off the jeep to get a quick oil change done at 3000 miles... They’re gonna take a look at the drain tube to see if there’s a problem..

Any updates on this? I also have a 2024 Rubicon X and although I do occasionally see a few drops on the ground, it's minimal (no issues otherwise). This is very different from my other cars as you have also stated, so I am slightly concerned long term.

If after a drive I reach up where it appears to drip from, I do feel and see some water, which is why I want to extend/redirect it so the condensation can fall directly on the ground where I can see it (vs on top of the transmission).

I did see an older thread trying to do the same but with no solution, so I might post something instead of reviving this year old one:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-a-c-drain-line.117723/

 

[StonerSR25]

Yes there is an update as of yesterday. The dealership took my jeep in for two days. They removed the fan motor so they could see the condenser coil. They cleaned the coil, the entire air vent system and replaced the air filter again. They told me there was very little debris of any kind in the condenser box. When I continued to question if this would solve my problem the service manager came out and gave me an explanation the finally made sense.

He told me the condenser coil box is a small vertical box. And the best part, there are two condensate drain lines mounted ONE INCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX!!!!!

So there is no way for the condensation to completely drain all the water. So, depending on where you live, weather conditions, and how often you drive your Jeep, any remaining moisture could get nasty and smell.

The service manager recommended not using the recirculation function and allow the out side warm air to keep the moisture to a minimum. Also to turn off the AC before I get home to allow the outside air to assist in drying out any remaining moisture.

So, in short, it appears to be a bad design. I am going to look into a couple of possible ideas. 1. if the condenser coil does not extend below the drain lines, find a material to fill the bottom of the condenser box so any remaining moisture will drain out the drain tubes. 2. Drill a hole in the bottom of the condenser box, install a nipple and an additional drain line. 3. Figure out where the drain lines are located and park on a hill side to drain as much water as possible ;-)

 

[uzabat]

So, in short, it appears to be a bad design. I am going to look into a couple of possible ideas. 1. if the condenser coil does not extend below the drain lines, find a material to fill the bottom of the condenser box so any remaining moisture will drain out the drain tubes. 2. Drill a hole in the bottom of the condenser box, install a nipple and an additional drain line. 3. Figure out where the drain lines are located and park on a hill side to drain as much water as possible ;-)

Thanks for the update(s), and what a bummer.

Great ideas.. please keep us posted and good luck. Hopefully you get that to drain properly soon!

 

[azjl#3]

Another interesting thing was I made the appointment for the service here online on my JEEP app on my phone. It does not show up on their system here and apparently they’re double and triple booked for my appointment time. Even though I selected this dealership in the app. The service writer gave me a card with a link to make a direct appointment here at the dealership so it shows up on their system.

I have to say I am new to the whole JEEP experience, but based on what I was told, it’s not what I expected

this is how they play games with days of service needed. I had so many work requests, that never made it into the computer, ...

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