Water keeps collecting on rear, passinger floor

does this happen after it rains or regardless of whether it rains?

 

What is the amount of water that you collect daily?
Do you also find water in the trunk area?

If you find water only when it rains, perhaps one way to isolate the problem would be to have someone spray water on the car (on the windows, at the top of the doors, on the trunk, etc.) while you sit in the back seat, looking around for the location where the water is entering.

 

Have a look at the rubber door and trunk seals. Maybe they've cracked or pulled away from the metal. I'm not familiar with the 2003 Prius, but I know some cars have a rubber plug in the rear footwell to let water drain. Maybe that's come loose and is letting water in. You should probably lift the carpet anyway to let it dry, so you may as well peek underneath while you're at it.

 

Does it seem related to A/C use (evaporator drain plugged) ?

 

When you run your air conditioner and the car is stopped, you should note water dripping down on the pavement, near the firewall between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, on the passenger side. If you see water dripping down then the drain should be OK.

If the drain was plugged, you would usually note a damp carpet in the front passenger footwell.

If you believe that the drain is plugged, then you would need to raise up the front of the car, find the drain hose at the bottom of the car, and try to clear it by using compressed air.

 

Whaaa????!! That's A LOT of water.

 

cathcycler,

what an intriguing problem, you've got some really smart and experienced
folks thinking about it -- Me? I'm completely befuddled. All I can think of is
someone is playing a practical joke on you.

But that''s not why I'm posting. Before it gets lost in the chaff,

Welcome to PriusChat!

 

Perhaps you should remove the rear seat cushion (by pulling up on the leading edge of the cushion - there are two hooks that hold the bottom front of the cushion to the floor). Look under the carpet and under the two front seats, and see if you can figure out where the water is coming from.

 

Do you have a dog that drinks a lot?

 

Hi Jim,

This is very strange.

Do you see water coming out from under the car? If not, perhaps you can raise up the front of the car and try to clear that drain. If that doesn't help, then you may want to seek professional assistance.

 

Does it have anything to do with the area where the air filter is located?

 

The evaporator is filled with water because the drain is plugged. A dealer can unplug it in minutes. Have it done soon before things start to rust. Have a look at the cabin air filter while you (or they) are at it.

 

I can at least stop that water from flowing back there if it's AC related.
On the MFD on the AC control page you have the dual air flow button selected. The one that has air flow indicated at both your chest & feet.The third one. Select the second one that just has air flow at your chest. That stops ALL air flow to both the front feet and the passenger floor. I know this for a fact as I have had the dash apart. The rear pass floor ducting is under that bulbous plastic panel under the radio dash area.
I can't understand though if its AC related you should have water coming out on the floor up front too. My guess is its not AC related. Or your front floor would be soaked. Maybe it is? Pull up the carpet in the whole cabin to check. If you don't you'll have a very nasty smelling car real soon..
Good luck and let us know.

 

I'm curious. I have seen a few wet floor posts lately all assuming the evap hose is clogged and water is backing up in the e-box. How do you run your ac settings please? Do you use outside air or just interior recirculate? I would think if hose is getting clogged it has to be getting some foreign matter in there besides evaporate. Hard to get by the interior cabin filter so must be coming in from the outside through the windshield dam. Do the windshield dams flow ok?