Re: A/C Gurgling drain mod. DIY tips (archive)

I had it mod over the weekend using the posted instruction. 2 hour job. The hard part for me was cutting the drain line 2 in below the evac tank. What made it hard was the spiral plastic in side the tube where you have to cut the top half off and then push the bottom half back in the lower tube. It was extremely difficult at first then I lubed it with valsoline and the thing went down much easier. Anyway, I done it thank for your instruction. I guess e38's in the south are suceptiable to this problem where it hot and humid.

Just finshed the A/C drain mod. to cure the gurgling sound. It took 3 hours. A very tiring job due to being on your knees crouched over.
Tip 1. Start on the passenger side. More room while your are learning.
Tip 2. Get a good knee pad or you will not last long doing this job.
Tip 3. A straight cut set of tin snips for cutting the hose lenghts in the tight places is a must. Box cutter, or razor blade does not work too well in the tight places.
Tip 4. You may want some extra tie wraps in case you waste some or drop some you can't retrieve.
Tip 5. Don't pull too hard on the existing drain hose "hose C" in the S.I. It will come off and the other end in way up in the dash. This will cost you an extra hour getting it back on. If you do this on the passenger side, take the black panel off under the glove box and then remove the vent actuator motor on the left side next to the fire wall. It has 3 small torx screws. The hose connection is right behind this motor. If you pull the hose off on the drivers side, you are on your own. Haven't been there.
Tip 6. Assemble all of the new hoses and cut the existing "C" drain hose to fit. Since you really can't tell what 8.5" is, as specified in the S.I., since you can't see the other end.
Tip 7. Make sure you cut the carpet above where the side carpet panel sits. The cut will show if you don't.
Tip 8. Make sure all of your hoses are straight and not kinked when they are all assembled. I can't imagine what this will smell like in a few months if it can't drain.
Tip 9. Cut the hose and the white plastic spiral with the tin snips. Then cut the bottom hose 1/2" more along with the white plastic spiral. The white plastic spiral will only go down the drain hose so far and you will need to push it down to get the tee in the bottom hose.
Tip 10. The hardest part is holding back the carpet while you are cutting hoses and then assembling hoses. You will need a light setup so you can see and have both hands free.
Tip 11. You may want to make this an all afternoon job with a break to rest between sides. I guess that depends on how old you are and how use you are to manual work. Also don't do this job in a hurry or when you are in a bad mood. It is a job that a few things can go wrong and really ruin the whole experience. And your doing this for fun right? If you are not, I suggest you let someone else do it.
Tip 12 See the link if you don't have the S.I. You will need it.
Good luck
97 740iL

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