H2O leaks!

aigel · aigel's Garage

So, I have a wonderful new front window seal. It passed tests with the garden hose and even the drive throught the carwash. Today, long drive through the heavy rain, there is water running down into the footwell on the passengers side. I can't see where it is coming from. I can see it come in right square on the wooden foot board!

I checked and can't see the source come from the corner(s) of the window seal (where you usually see things leak).

Is there any other passageway for water to come in, ending up in the foot rest area on the passenger's side? I had fiddled with the fans / vents and felt that there waws no leakage before I did that. Is there a way it could make it through the venting system???

TIA, George ... getting the sealer ready.

makaio · 12-29-2003, 01:54 PM

Geaorge, take the hardboard panel near the fresh air blower off, and make sure the drain hose is connected. There should be a hose there to allow water that enters into the vent at the top of the boot lid out.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Where is the hardboard panel? In the cab or in the trunk? And where is the vent???

I am going there now, with the manual. Thanks!

George

makaio · 12-29-2003, 02:08 PM

In the boot (trunk).

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

Four bolts in the trunk. I think they are 10mm. You can also see the tube if you open the access panel to the smugglers box. I should go from the bottom of the unit through the box through a hole in the pan and hang down about an inch below the car. It looks like black flex condoit.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Found it and took the panel off. Somewhat of a rats nest there, eh?

There is definitely some wetness around the main air box where the fan sits in. But I can not see where there should be a drain?

I checked the bentley. No info there. Can you point it out in the pic here by editing it or giving me written directions?

What should I do next?

TIA, George

aigel · aigel's Garage

CHILI:

Ok, I think I found the darn thing. It is connected, for sure. And it looks big enough that I wouldn't think it is clogged?

Upon inspection of the cab side of things, I find that there is a duct outlet in the area where some leakeage came from. I think noting but another drive in the rain will reveal it. I will also try to reproduce it with teh garden hose by spraying it in different areas. Window and vent.

What a PITA this is. Not my favourite type of work. The whole day fell in the water literally. After a long drive there, Parts Heaven was closed, no heater fan (top of engine) for me. Cr@p.

George

ronb · 12-29-2003, 02:42 PM

hard to find leaks with spraying the garden hose...best way is to lay the hose on the car (on top of a towel if you have a good finish) and make an even flow of water over the surface. Do it section by section; you will find the leak. I spent months finding the several leaks in my sc. Was mostly drains being plugged, but also was the heater box which has to be carefully put together so it won't leak. A cursory reinstallation will not show a leak, but the 2 halves move apart and cause intermittent leaks.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Ronb:

Tell me more about the leaks. What exactly was clogged on your car?

The heater box, is that where the fresh air fan sits in, or where is the heater box?

Did you have any leak cause water come out of a duct right above the pass. side footrest?

TIA, George

PS: It's rained all day. I can't see myself with a gardenhose right now. I think I need a beer and a nap first.

ronb · 12-29-2003, 03:01 PM

I would get 1/2" of water in the footwells but not with every rain. Sometimes it would be dry for 2 or 3 rains, then back to the 1/2". Check the plastic inside the door panel. Check the sunroof drains (when they back up, it seems to come out from varying places, for me by the floor). Heater box is my bad name for what you show in your picture. It completely comes apart; there are some drains in there. It's tedious to get it apart, but not difficult. So - 2 sets of drains for me - sunroof, and fresh air box, and also plastic sheet on the inside of the door.

vash · vash's Garage

aigel, a buddy of mine had to resort to an automated car wash to find the leak in his car. he went to the one on divisidero and oak? he asked if he could stay in the car and scooted around with a flashlight. i dont know if this info would help. FYI, partsheaven is closed until the new year. i am bumming, looking for some door handles.