Puddle of water in the rear passenger floor!

[jowing]

I have a 1989 S2 and she sprung a leak somewhere. Anyone had problems with water getting in the rear passenger side floor after it has been raining. I don't see any wetness from sunroof, no water stains from panel. Where is it coming from? Anybody knows before I tear the interior to find out?
Thanks

[sd01]

On my '84 I have a similar problem with dampness on the floor near the front of the driver's seat. Very confusing since nothing else (that I can see) shows signs of water damage...the seat is never wet, etc. etc. etc.

[jowing]

Well, this one is in the rear floor passenger side, No wet seats or anything. Did you correct to problem on yours?

[lambic2000]

I used to get a ton of water behind the passenger seat in my 83 944. Not any more. Over the years the battery pan will corode and allow water to enter the cabin and soak the carpet. Alot of this water will accumulate in the rear. The solution to this annoyance was having my battery pan "rebuilt". Now she is water tight. Look under your battery for signs of corosion and/or rust. Search the archives. This issue has been brought up several times in the past. Good luck!

[Blackfoot]

also check the top part of the rear hatch. water gets in through there on mine, through old, bad rubber.

[Cebu]

Water in the rear passenger foot well and/or dampness in the front passenger foot well is usually a leak from the Battery compartment. Do a search on this board for battery compartment leaks/or repair. You may be getting water damage to your DME or Factory Alarm brain. Leaks from the roof usually noted with wetness in/on the rear seat.

[Eturbo924]

There are typically three locations the cars have issues with.
One as stated by 83 944 owner I believe is the battery box. Acid from the battery can eat the box causing a path for water to enter the car. This is normally obvious since the front passenger section is wet.. not the rear. Also the front floor mat normally looks like your heater core went.

The next is the rear hatch seal. Also noted by some one above. Look at the top of the seal on the sides near the upper corners of the quarter panels. (above the rear windows) This seal crushes over time and causes a leak... that will also ruin your rear speakers if not attended to. Leak fills the rear passenger foot well with water.

The third is the sun roof seal and drains. Check the seal and make sure it is good and tight. Then check to make sure the drains in the sun roof channels are clear. Compressed air or a coat hanger normally will clear any blockage.

One final way water gets in. When the drains in the battery box area (and corresponding area on the drivers side) get blocked, the area fills with water. Then you go around a turn quickly in the older 944s and 924s and the water comes into the vents! Oh fun! So make sure the drains are clear. This will also help keep that battery box from rusting. Put a battery mat down also.

Eric
www.geocities.com/eturbo924

[TJFORGUE]

I had the same problem with my 90 S2. There is a drain line in the battery box, it got clogged and soaked my wife the day after a rain storm. When I opened the hood there was still 4-5" of water in the box. Blew out the drain line- problem gone.

[Firestarter_944]

OK, so I understand that water can come in the battery box. The thing that I want to know is how does it physically get there. I have never noticed my passenger side front seat carpet damp moist or otherwise... yet the rear passenger side is often so. I guess I am trying to figure out how it can get back there without leaving a trace.

Have you all found that hitting the drains with an air gun to be the best way to clear the drains in the battery box, doors and sunroof? If not, are there any special techniques you P-files use (standing on your head, with your jaw set right and your tongue hanging out)?

Firestarter

[Eturbo924]

Firestarter. If the water is only in the rear then the hatch or the sunroof if the issue.

Most likely it is the hatch. Check the seal around the entire section. Then look closely at the section at the top corners... closest to the rear quarter windows.... on the side that has the water. If the seal is flat or has the impression of the rear hatch in it... then replace it and the leak will go away.

If this seal looks good then check the sunroof seal and the channels that carry water out over the rear quarter windows. Compressed air should clear those.

Eric

[Firestarter_944]

Thanks much Eturbo. I thought it was more likely quarter windows, sunroof or hatch myself. In fact, I ordered a on-car sunroof seal from Pelican a month or so ago.

The same question still stands though. Should there not be traces of water or residue along it's path of entry? I have checked the seals, all look fine. I have thoroughly inspected the interior and cannot find any trace of water past or present... yet anytime I wash my car or drive in the rain, the rear passenger floor gets wet. It happens regardless of rear seat and passenger seat configuration (i.e. can't be a direct leak from above... must run down a vertical surface somewhere). Could it be running behind the paneling? I am just trying to trouble shoot the problem...before I throw a bunch of $ in new seals at the car.

THX,

Firestarter

[944jeff]

One other suggestion. I found quite a bit of water in the right passenger rear compartment. The drain hose for the fuel door came disconnected and was gathering a lot of water. Worth taking a peek if in there if you haven't lately.

Jeff

[Firestarter_944]

Jeff,

Good idea, but I checked there not too long ago about the fuel smell after fill-up. It is still in place. Thanks for the suggestion.

Firestarter

[stray15]

I wouldn't advise using compressed air to clear the plastic tubes, it is easy to accidently disconnect the tubes.

[Eturbo924]

Did you check the rear hatch seal where I suggested? The more you talk the more you make me think that this is the one that is leaking in your case.

When it is the roof it normally drips down and messes up the section just behind the sunroof.

When it is the rear hatch the water runs down behind the pannles that cover the rear speakers and many times actually wreck the speakers. I do not suggest you remove that pannel to check. They can be a real PITA to put back since you need to wrap the edges over the lip that is sealed by the quarter window seal.

I have seen both of these leaks.
One thing you can try. Remove the rear hatch seal. Now inspect it. You will likely see the section that is damaged. Now put it back on but make sure the damaged section is now down along the side of the car. In other words rotate the seal... just don't put the damaged section at the top.

Then run some water over the top of the car and see if any runs in.

Eric

Oh if you were to remove the side pannel.. again I do not suggest it... you would see the path. I did this when my seal failed and smoked my speaker. It was the passenger side also.

Eric

[Firestarter_944]

I will re-check the hatch seal. I have yet to see a crushed section. I really hope that is the case.

I am not planning on taking out my quarter windows to remove the interior panel anytime soon. Talk about a PITA..

Firestarter

[mattdavis11]

I too have the same problem (Along with others) in my 83 944. Wet no where but rear pass. side. Then again I have a dead left rear speaker. Let us know if you find different from above. For now, it'll be in the garage for a while. (AAARRRGGGH!)

[thamlin000]

My 83 leaks more when parked on an incline.

[mattdavis11]

Parking on an incline, that's the only time mine ever leaked on me. New sunroof seal, rear seal fine, drains near the side rear windows pour water, nothing leaking. It was raining really hard though, I was guessing it was the under carriage, I guess now I'll never know, after the rock incident! (read my previous post) No leak for now!

[Cebu]

From experience..The water can, and does go from the Battery box to the passenger footwell without obvious signs in the front passenger footwell area. Water from the windshield runs into the battery box, and there is also a drain hole on the opposite side of the hood area below the hood strut assembly lower attach point.