Weird Rainwater Leak

[Robert M]

 

My '87 Wagon started doing a weird leak. I've determined for sure it isn't coming from the heater core or the radiator. The car isn't losing water, but when it rains water drips down onto the passenger-side floorboard from the heater core box.

 

By keeping a close watch on radiator water levels, against the amount of water leaking, I've determined it is NOT from the cooling system. It only does it after a rain.

 

Recent changes to car: Windshield was changed out. Three mph impact to front bumper with a van that stopped suddenly, no damage to bumper.

 

I used clear silicone around the windshield, but it wasn't the glass seal. Next step might be taking down the dashboard.

 

Since you took the time to read this, I dropped in a couple of cartoons as well. What the heck. (laughs)

 

 

Edited December 4, 2008 by Robert M

[Quidam]

RMB,

 

Humor me:)

 

"Recent changes to car: Windshield was changed out."

 

Did your car leak "before" the glass was changed? You used clear stuff on it. I heard that. If you took the plastic moulding off and filled the whole thing with clear stuff, it's probably not the windshield.

 

Step away from the dashboard.

 

Doug

Edited December 4, 2008 by Quidam

[Robert M]

No, the car did not leak before the windshield was changed. (It had cracks) I've sealed up much around it, but the water continues coming in when it rains.

[Quidam]

You could try this: Duct tape the color of your car on the top and sides of the windshield, black across the bottom. It can be done so hardly no one even knows it, from a distance. That might seal it up for the time being. At least things won't get wet.

 

And or...Duct tape a fan to an open window, seal the rest with cardboard, or something. Soapy water on the front glass area, turn the fan on, putting pressure inside the car. See any bubbles?

 

And or...Pull the mouldings off the window, reseal around the glass.

 

No, wait. Take it back to the windshield installer?

 

You may have rust holes under that moulding...I can't tell from here. Long distance ain't all it's cracked up to be.

 

Must be fifty ways....

 

hth,

 

Doug

[edrach]

Robert, despite ruling out the windshield leaking, I think that's where it is. We had a similar problem with our '84 Brat with the exact same symptoms.

 

Having had the windshield professionally replaced two years earlier, I took it to the shop that had done it. He evaluated the seals and somehow determined ("magic" as far as I'm concerned) where the leak was and re-sealed it in that area.

 

That repair was free since they had replaced the windshield previously, but the bill would have been $50 plus tax just for the labor involved; it only took a half hour and the car has been leak free ever since.

 

Good luck with it.

[952.2LX]

My car has had the exact same symtoms. Only I have not had the windshield replaced. What I found it to be was the plastic molding seal on the air intake at the bottom of the windshield, on the passenger side, had separated from the window due to exposure and time. The rain runs down the window and then into this crack which leads to some wheres in the firwall and I assume puddles in the heater core area. When the car moved, i.e. going in reverse and stopping, the water would run out onto the passenger side floor. I've used electical tape to seal it. I have to replace it about once a year (looks like it needs to be replaced again). See pics.

 

 

[Robert M]

I think the last poster was right about where the leak originates. I will try sealing this area. The windshield itself is sealed up good. They (installers) probably caused the leak in one way or another.

 

Thanks to all of you who answered...