Detailed description needed on removing and cleaning the AC Drain Pipe

[dansync]

If anyone could help me with this I'd be so grateful. I've recently bought a 2002 1.7 Puma and the problem is when I use the AC water starts leaking into the footwells of the car. Mostly on the passenger side. I've looked up a few things online and learned that it's very common for the drain pipe that leads out of the floor of the car often gets clogged with dirt and causes this leak.

Is anyone familiar with this?

I've located the pipe and by squeezing my hand through a small gap I can feel it is secured with a spring clip that I would need to use pliers on to remove it. There is no way I can get 2 hands in there. So I'm asking if anyone knows how to remove all the plastic that surrounds it to make it easier to get to. I've attached some pics to show where I mean.

Again id be so grateful for any help or advice anyone has

Thanks in advance

 

[tuonokid]

No need to remove anything to get to the spring clip the way I got it off was to twist the spring clip so the ears are to the front of the car and then I used circlip pliers with a 90 degree bend from below the spring clip so by squashing the pipe with the pliers it moved the ears together so it would slide down the pipe. At the other end the pipe is just a push fit through the floor. When you get it off there will be loads of crap in it so give it a thorough clean before you put it back on.
If at all possible I would also take the carpet out as even if it doesn't feel wet it's possible that the soundproofing underneath the carpets is wet through and rotting your floorpans.
There are some photos of when I did mine on page 26 of my build thread.