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Water Leaks -- How to Find and Fix

465 messages,  Last post on Apr 21, 2013 at 2:03 AM

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What is this discussion about? Auto Body, Interior, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

Messages Page 1 of 47

#1 of 465 Passenger Side Leak! Please help! by jetta_julie

Feb 27, 2004 (5:49 pm)

Hello Jetta owners,
 
I own a '99 VW New Jetta and have been frustrated the last month about a passenger side leak. It's already been determined that the leak has NOTHING to do with the windshield or windows. 4 mechanics have looked at the car to no avail.
 
Everytime it rains, i get about 3 inches of water on my passenger side. Not only does it stink, but I cannot figure out where it's coming from! Someone suggested it was coming through the speaker. is that possible? It's not coming from the front of the car, but somewhere on the side. No mechanic within 30 miles of San Francisco has been able to help me.
 
CAn you???? I'm tired of having a pool of rain water in my car!
 
Thank you! Julie

#2 of 465 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 28, 2004 (1:17 pm)

Hi Julie,
 
I'm going to change the title of this topic to "Water Leaks" and e-mail you so you can find your topic again.
 
But as to the cause, I can think of two things:
 
1. Does your car have a sunroof? If so, you may have a plugged sunroof drain.
 
2. Has any warranty work been done to that passenger door, like window regulator, etc. If so, there is a moisture barrier (plastic shield) and sometimes mechanics, in their rush, will tear it or forget to replace it. This moisture shield will sometimes re-direct water leaking past the window "squeegee" (rubber strip at the bottom of the window) into the door drains. If there is no moisture barrier, the water leaking past the squeegee will drip into the car instead.
 
Fixes:
 
1. Push sunroof all the way back. Using gentle air pressure, blow into front sunroof drain (there are usually two, front and back). Then pour a small amount of water into sunroof channel. Water should be seen draining somewhere in back of front tire. If no water is draining, and you can't unplug the drain by air pressure, you may have to dig into the headliner or window trim to get at the channel. There is usually a small section of rubber hose that can be cleaned.
 
2. Obviously replace the moisture barrier and the window squeegee.
 
Host

#3 of 465 water leaks by moby

Jun 01, 2004 (9:45 am)

I also have a leak on the pasenger side of my car 2001 honda crv.
The water is leaking in a few areas. the first is where the fan is at your feet (know I no why my fan onley works on high) I do not have a sunroof and am pretty sure it is not leaking from the door. it is leaking up high, I have \had a knew winsheild put in 1-2 years ago And I think it was leaking a little before then, anyways it started to rain last night and when I went out to check this morning their was a 1"-2" puddle. when I drove to work it stopped leaking.
 
Help.

#4 of 465 Re: water leaks [moby #1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 01, 2004 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: moby (Jun 01, 2004 9:45 am)
I think your problem is the drains for the fresh air vents, which are just below your windshield (the cowl) on the outside of the car. You or the dealer or repair shop will have to remove the vents and/or cowling and try to unplug these drains. It is quite common for them to collect leaves and other debris which, in time, soften with water and turn into a gooey mess that does a nice job of plugging the drains. Then, the compartment that houses your windshield wipers perhaps or other ducting, fills up with water and finally the water reaches a height where there is no waterproofing for the firewall. So it spills over into the interior of the car.
 
You can test this by pouring a cupful of water into the fresh air cowl and see if it drains out behind the front wheel. If you don't see the water going anywhere, you are plugged up for sure.

#5 of 465 Water Leaks by cameraart

Oct 21, 2004 (12:07 pm)

Car is 98 Nissan Quest
Passanger side leak. All drains seem to be clear, but I suspect the fresh air intake vent drain is partly stopped up. Water poured thru exterior intake vent will drain under car, but the soft rubber parts covering parts behind interior vent and under under dash become wet. I see no way to approach intake vent drain drain from the top.
Any suggestions?

#6 of 465 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 22, 2004 (9:40 am)

You have to pull the fresh air vent cowel off and blow air or run a rod through the vent, that's the only way I know how to unclog them.
 
What happens is that the "box" or compartment under the fresh air cowl eventually fills up with water and then leaks through plugs or holes that were never designed to keep water out.

#7 of 465 Re: [Mr_Shiftright] by cameraart

Oct 23, 2004 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2004 9:40 am)
The intake vent seems to be welded in and covered with a wire mesh. Is it just forced fittted? Just pry it out? Bad design.
 
It is well under the part of the hood that does not lift and there is very little clearence. I did caulk around the front of the joint that appeared to not be well sealed.

#8 of 465 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 24, 2004 (8:49 am)

Well I can't see it from here. If I see a Quest I'll take a look. I think I know where there is one just down the street. Don't pry just yet. You might also ask at the Nissan dealer, or your friendly body shop.

#9 of 465 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 24, 2004 (5:59 pm)

Okay I looked at a '98 Quest and there's a black plastic grille under the windshield wipers. It is held in place by 6 screws. So you take off the wiper blades, then the six screws and then figure out how to test and unplug that drain. Don't get too frisky with a wire, because if you knock off the rubber hose for the drain you might be in deep do-do. I'd try something like first seeing what you can dig out with your hands, and then using compressed air in a can or even a bicycle pump.

#10 of 465 1996 Honda Civic by alexander1

Oct 24, 2004 (11:16 pm)

Somehow, water got in the floor of the back seats along with the trunk! The well for the spare tire has about 2 inches of water in it. I'll try to see if the drains in the sunroof are clogged...but how come there is only water in the back seats and front but nowhere in the front seats?

Messages Page 1 of 47

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