Cabin Water Leak

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 7:18 pm

In case nobody noticed we had a LOT of rain down in the SE part of the country. At my house we got over 17" of rain in 5 consecutive days of rain. I had a lot of water on the floor in the front passenger area. I can't get it to leak with a water hose. I tried in the wheel well and on the bottom of the windshield area. Right now I have the heat gun on low trying to dry out the carpet which is pulled up and propped up.

Any ideas where this water came in at? NOTE: there is no inner plastic fender liner.

Terry

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 7:58 pm

Why are you so sure the leak is external?

Guest · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 8:31 pm

Terry, put the hose up at the cowl vents and see if it leaks then

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 8:58 pm

I'm not sure the leak is internal. I took the spray head off the hose and ran the water over where the wiper blades attach and into the vents there. The water ran out underneath where it always does. The AC water drains seem to be working also. The carpet was real wet but no visible water on top of the carpet.

Terry

Guest · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 9:27 pm

hate to say this

but

heater core maybe?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 9:37 pm

ok.. it's a long process but it has never failed me. 1. GUT the area where water is. inspect the area to see if you can find a trail of where it's coming in......and then dry throughly... this will allow you to see a water trail if there is one (it's getting in somewhere so there has to be).
2. start low... water doesnt run uphill. soak one thing at a time then check it. soak another thing then check it. as soon as you start to see a trail form you know where to start looking outside for the problem (where you just soaked after your last check)
3. when you see where it's coming in and possibly where it's gettin in from outside.. use some type of foaming spray (foaming window cleaner works well).. spray it and let it foam where you think it's coming in. Then using a air compressor and airgun plow pressureized air though where it's coming from on the inside and see if any of the foam bubbles. if so that's where your leak is.
4. fix that leak...
5. check everything again. start low.. look inside for a drip or trail from a drip... and repeat steps 1-4.

depending on what is letting the water in there are several ways to fix it.

when i say gut the area.. really gut it. pull the carpet.. the plasic pieces by the door entry.. kick panels.. everything. it could be coming in under the dash somewhere.. the cawl.. or following the door rubbers from the top of the door or anywhere along the door and getting in.

good luck it's a time consuming process but a leak has never gotten away from me

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun May 24, 2009 10:20 pm

Had the exact same problem on a '00 Chevy pickup,took over 6 hours of hosing it down to find the problem.It's most likely the fresh air intake for the HVAC system that is under the cowl,real pain to replace.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon May 25, 2009 12:36 am

Thanks for all the tips. I'm heading up to Ohio to pick up my camper Tuesday morning so when I get back I'll play detective. I did pull the carpet up and the side kick panel. I couldn't tell where it came in at. The water was too clean to leave a dirt trail.

Terry

RedKJ04 · **Posted:** Mon May 25, 2009 2:27 pm

I had this exact problem and found water in the exact same place. Mine turned out to be leaking at the top of the windshield and running down the A-pillar and across the fuse box on the passenger side and into the floor board. I just used some automotive window sealant to flow into the holes in the seal at the top of the windshield. I found the leak by having a friend of mine sit in the Jeep while I ran water across the top of the windshield. Hope this helps you find your leak.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Mon May 25, 2009 3:26 pm

I'll give that a try. Thanks!

Terry

Cabin Water Leak

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