water leaks into the cabin--help....

[rhjames]

Dad's '79 has a few water leaks.

rear hatch seal leaks--will replace.

rain storm the other day, water dripping from behind the dash onto the passenger side carpet.

I suspect this is coming from the cowling thru the heater box assembly, but can't remember if/where there is a drain for this (that might be clogged)???

anybody have any ideas as to the fix for the water leak behind the dash?

thx for the help-

--R

[Red Baron]

Sunroof car?

[rhjames]

no Abby, no hole in the roof!

--R

[Mrmerlin]

There is a good possibility that the windshield seal is leaking.
BUT first look at the CE panel then look above it if there is water tell tales around the blower box grating then this seal is also bad.
For the hatch seal , disconnect the battery, remove the rear visors and the hatch light then the top hatch interior cover 5 pushpins, then remove the seal, do it carefully, there is a wire harness next to the right hatch pivot.
Once this is done then get some simple green and a scrub brush scrub the seal and rinse it off.
Lay the seal in the sun to dry for a few hours, this will let the rubber reform itself.
Get some sealant, and inject it into the groove of the seal that the body channel fits into then put the seal back on.
Refit the hatch trim and the visors.
If you have a spoiler on the hatch remove this and reseal the through screws with some 3M strip caulk put a little bit on each washer and fix any rust under the spoiler

[rhjames]

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

There is a good possibility that the windshield seal is leaking.
BUT first look at the CE panel then look above it if there is water tell tales around the blower box grating then this seal is also bad.
For the hatch seal , disconnect the battery, remove the rear visors and the hatch light then the top hatch interior cover 5 pushpins, then remove the seal, do it carefully, there is a wire harness next to the right hatch pivot.
Once this is done then get some simple green and a scrub brush scrub the seal and rinse it off.
Lay the seal in the sun to dry for a few hours, this will let the rubber reform itself.
Get some sealant, and inject it into the groove of the seal that the body channel fits into then put the seal back on.
Refit the hatch trim and the visors.
If you have a spoiler on the hatch remove this and reseal the through screws with some 3M strip caulk put a little bit on each washer and fix any rust under the spoiler

Yep, Stan....I saw some moisture behind the CE panel before the rain storm, but it was a steady drip during the rainstorm from behind the glove box, but not as far towards the firewall as the CE panel. I was thinking something related to the HVAC box, but just couldn't put my finger on it. Wish I had more time to dive into it, but I've got to get back to work this week (was at Dad's here taking care of him due to his prostate removal surgery this past week).

This car was a basket case/project, so there's no telling how bad things are around the HVAC unit. I did manage to trouble shoot the blower motor not working (bad fuses and bad relay--next will be to see if the A/C system will hold a charge), and got both headlights working as well (bad fuses), heater control valve is functioning as well as vent controls. One side marker light is working now, but the LF needs the correct wiring harness and both rears have wiring issues inside the car where they attach the main harness--a project for another day. All tail lights are working as they should.

found that he has 8 inch S wheels on the rear---didn't notice that before.

as for the hatch seal---it's toast, very bad condition (cracked, ripped, etc.). Dad says order a new one, so that will get done this week. He can do the seal R&R easily himself. Hatch adjustment may be off as well, but looked decent to me given the really bad seal that's there now....a new seal may put a different light on this.

Spoiler on the hatch--yes. I think he put sealer on the attaching points (where the spoiler is anchored thru the hatch, but will advise him to re-do it if he didn't.



thx for the help!

--R

[Mrmerlin]

I still suggest to remove the sun visors in the rear and the inner hatch trim, this will let you seat the new hatch seal properly, you will see what i am talking about when you get in there.
Also use a sealant on the new hatch seal its part of the installation, you might try some Hondabond, if you look in your old seal you might see some chalky white stuff, this is the old factory sealant.

[rhjames]

good idea about putting sealant in the hatch seal itself---I suppose water could wick up in there if it got really wet.....

will advise Dad to do so.

thx-

--R