Drivers Side Carpet wet - need help with sourcing leaks

284 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by DavidT, 8 d ago

DavidT

Discussion Starter · 11 d ago

Driver side carpet is soaked (seemed to happen during/after 3 days of rain), pulled back carpet and found water still sitting in the channels. Noticed a couple grommets & a plate that weren't well sealed by the blue sealant stuff. Underneath the large plate opens up into a frame crosspiece, and the round grommets open to the ground. could that be enough to let that much water into the car from beneath? The rubber trim and drain hole on sunroof seam to be good although didn't check for clogs. How do you see if that drain line is doing it's job?

Other thing I noticed was rust on the e-brake assembly, would that indicate a leak there over time?

I have no idea what I need to start taking apart or testing to source where water is getting in - suggestions on a protocol?

Also, has anyone found a way to dry out the carpet and underlayer without removing seats, trim and pulling it all out? If anyone has links to videos that would be helpful.

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smario259

· #2 · 11 d ago

To add to your list of things to check: From inside the wheel well, at about where the footrest is located, several sheetmetal pieces meet under that tarrish coating that dries up, cracks and lets the water seep in and rust the sheetmetal and let the water slowly make its way into the vehicle. I had that issue, but mine is an 05. From your pics I do not think that this is your problem, but keep it in mind for the next years.

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riccoar1

· #3 · 10 d ago

I see you have a sunroof? If the sunroof drains are plugged, you will notice it by the drivers side floorbaord having water under mat. Second to last pic, that hole isone of the drains. One of the driver side and one on the passenger side. I ran heavy weedeater line down mine and hot water to flush.

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Mountain Escape

· #4 · 10 d ago

without removing everything, and doing the job correctly, you use a shop vac to suck out as much moisture as you can. then throw in a towel, or cotton tshirt for a few hours, and switch them…
you could sit out there for a few hours with your wife's blow dryer
Open all your doors and stick a couple of box fans inside

you got to stop the leak first though, I agree with the Riccoar, run a Weedwhacker line down your drain hole

that sounds rude to say to someone... lol

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DavidT

Discussion Starter · #5 · 10 d ago

Mountain Escape said:
without removing everything, and doing the job correctly, you use a shop vac to suck out as much moisture as you can. then throw in a towel, or cotton tshirt for a few hours, and switch them…
you could sit out there for a few hours with your wife's blow dryer
Open all your doors and stick a couple of box fans inside

you got to stop the leak first though, I agree with the Riccoar, run a Weedwhacker line down your drain hole

that sounds rude to say to someone... lol

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll run the weedwacker line for starters, hopefully that's the easy fix. Once I get the leak source fixed, my BIGGER issue is what to do about a potentially mildew/moldy padding under the carpet. If it's wet throughout the front of the car It'll be really tough to dry out properly with the aforementioned methods. Whats the best type of shop to take that to? Body shop? Detail shop?

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riccoar1

· #6 · 10 d ago

It sounds like what was happening to mine. Mine were so plugged the water ruined my sunroof motor. When those holes are opened you will see the water running out just behind the front wheel wells. So if you pour water into the sunroof water catch and don't see water draining from below, they are plugged up with junk.

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DavidT

Discussion Starter · #7 · 9 d ago

Well, weedwacker down the drain hole didn’t yield any result. When I poured water down there it just goes out the wheel well as intended. Then I poured water down this area (see pic) at the top of the windshield and THAT leaks out by the emergency brake. Question is how do I stop it? Run a bead of silicone all around that trim piece? Pull the windshield and get the trim replaced? Advice appreciated, gotta get this fixed asap!

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Mountain Escape

· #8 · 9 d ago

DavidT said:
Well, weedwacker down the drain hole didn’t yield any result. When I poured water down there it just goes out the wheel well as intended. Then I poured water down this area (see pic) at the top of the windshield and THAT leaks out by the emergency brake. Question is how do I stop it? Run a bead of silicone all around that trim piece? Pull the windshield and get the trim replaced? Advice appreciated, gotta get this fixed asap! View attachment 3763
View attachment 3762

you can fix it, you got to go by a windshield shop… They got some black urethane goo that is quickset, that will seal that up 100%.

you need some bodywork around your windshield frame seals to fix it permanent. it will only get worse. But this polyurethane goo is pretty stout.

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DavidT

Discussion Starter · #9 · 8 d ago

Mountain Escape said:
you can fix it, you got to go by a windshield shop… They got some black urethane goo that is quickset, that will seal that up 100%.

you need some bodywork around your windshield frame seals to fix it permanent. it will only get worse. But this polyurethane goo is pretty stout.

Nice - I'll check that product out. I went ahead and did the Permatex silicone to get into the crevices, then a thicker bead of silicone along the whole top edge and corners for a "topseal" type application. Not sure how long of a fix it will be, but I can always try the alternative you suggested.

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DavidT

Discussion Starter · #10 · 8 d ago

I also found my passenger rear door was filled with water, used weedwacker line to shove around in the drain slots and clear them out. Drained a pint in a matter of seconds.

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