'05 Double Cab Heating and Cooling issue

Hi. I need some education so I can talk to my mechanic. 2005 Tundra 4.7 motor 4-door double cab.
I had the heater coil replaced in April because anti-freeze was dripping onto my feet on the passenger side. The liquid still dripped and the mechanic said a hose was pinched during the dash reattachment. In June my air conditioner started working sporadically. It blows, but sometimes it's only room temp air. I called my mechanic and he said it sounds like the ?? (as I write this I can't remember the part name) is going bad. It was too expensive at the time and I couldn't get it replaced but asked him if I didn't replace it right now would it affect anything else. He said no. Last night, Aug. 24, water started dripping into the cab on both the passenger's AND driver's side. I opened the glove box and saw condensation all over some metal behind the glove box. Also, lately, the lighter and charger ports haven't been working.
My question is this, is this ALL related to the April replacement? Should the condenser(? I'm thinking that's what he called the part I need) have gone bad or does it seem like something wasn't re-installed correctly? I'm afraid the electrical is being affected by it and I need to get this fixed. Last time, the stink in the truck was terrible and the carpet was gross. I don't want it to get that bad again. Luckily, the liquid dripping now doesn't smell.

I haven't recontacted the mechanic yet as I want to educate myself first. I'm hoping to hear from you all today so I can have an informed discussion with my guy.

 

First, check the definitive leaks thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/definitive-cab-area-rain-water-leak-thread.70464/

I suspect the leak you're experiencing on the passenger side is more likely related to the cowl issue in that leak thread, frankly, but sure, it could be other things.

Driver's side ... it's more likely somewhere else. Windshield, maybe? What part of the country are you in, so we have an idea how bad corrosion and rust could be?

 

Central Alabama

 

Hey, that's where I found my truck. I can't speak to the heater core bit, but I can ask a couple more questions that could help.

Is the truck ever parked out in the open, or regularly outside, uncovered?
On either/both sides, does it always leak, or is it mostly after rains that you find it leaking?
On the passenger side, is it a constant leak, or maybe you see it after rains, or maybe you see it after you've been running the A/C a lot?
Have you ever done custom wiring through the firewall, for power to devices inside, like car audio amps, or other?

The reason I ask:

• In some vehicles, the heater core water passthrough remains closed, so there should be no active water in the cab if heat is off - not sure if it's the case with 1st Gen Tundras. If true w/those, your mechanic may be full of shit about kinked or pinched hoses. Truth is, I think they're full of shit anyway, but I'm also an asshole.
• If it happens after rains, 95% chance it's due to bad seals. One specific cowl grommet causes passenger floorboard leaks. Windows cause leaks everywhere if corrosion gets between the glass and body, which is not uncommon, some folks have had it .
• If you see the leak most when the A/C is running, the condensation tube is probably clogged. Easy fix. You can also get pretty easy access to the evaporator coil box to check for water buildup (and clean it out while there). This would cause passenger side leaks. You may also hear sloshing when you corner in severe cases.
• If you park outside, down here in the south and up north alike, mice are evil little fuckers. They get into everything, and there's no telling what they may've chewed open or nested in. Look far and wide for turds. Not only this, but the other leaks (windshield, cowl grommets) seem to happen on outdoor trucks more often.
• Custom wiring: Any time you pass through the firewall, if you're not smart about it, you can easily create an entryway for water.

Regardless what it is, you need to find and fix it, else you may end up corroding out a cable bulkhead or something and start having things short out eventually.

 

@Shifty thanks for the info. It's only when the A/C is running. I'll look into the condensation tube.

 

@AceRunner Just so it's clear what I'm talking about, if you look on the passenger side of the firewall, you'll see this round thing mid-lower in picture, with the drop of water hanging off. That's the condensation drain from your coil housing. If that thing is stopped up with anything, there is no way for condensation to get out of the housing, it puddles inside the housing, then leaks into the cab. A lot of times you can use something stiff that WILL NOT catch on the rubber and cut it, poke up into it, and if water comes out, you know that's probably your leak source, the drain tube is clogged.

There is something else important to share with you if you're not aware. These trucks have no cabin filter. That means any leaves and other crap that get sucked in from outside land inside the coil housing. When that builds up add water, it gets nasty inside there, and things start to cake and clog. Not good. Check this out for how to check and clean. https://www.tundras.com/threads/the-professional-hand-model-reinvestment-‘build’-a-chronological-story.46816/#post-1210454