not sure if applecare will help with that (if he has it). When I asked about applecare, the guy said "The worst thing you could do is spill liquid on your computer" 😕
I have actually "washed" a laptop before after taking all the batteries out (even the small one). I basically opened it up and sprayed water all over the insides 🙂)) I let it dry for 5 days, powered it up, and it worked, but I wouldn't suggest that. The real issue with soda is the sticky residue can conduct current , which is why you need to get it all out.