Got a leak!!!

[enjr44]

91' Ranger 4X4.
I have a water leak on the left (driver) side that is coming down the inside of firewall. I am guessing it is the windshield; but, I can't be sure. It definitely water from outside (not from the heater core).

Is there anywhere else the water could be coming from on the left side???

Thanks, Ed

 

[GentleRF]

That is indeed the windshield. Get an estimate from a glass shop.

 

[4.0B2]

or in the cowl somewhere....

get someone to spray water on it while you're inside looking for the leak.

 

[3hokies]

pull the window channel moldings...start with the cowl opening, it could be the drain hole are clogged....then the bottom of the windshield, then the side, then the top, and finally the drivers side drip rail.....also pull the kick panel trim....if it is the windshield dig out the window seal caulk and check for rust holes....if you find rust clean it out treat it with Rust Bullet and fill the holes with JB Weld 2 part epoxy and reseal the windshield with 3M black sealant

 

[adsm08]

There are three big places water could come from on the left side.

1) Windshield

2) Rotted firewall

3) Wiper linkage access


I thought I had a rotted firewall last year, then I pulled the dash to look about found the seal on the inside access plate for the wiper trans was shot. Ran a bead of black silicone and put the plate back on, haven't had so much as a drop since.

At any rate, pull the dash out and look for the water marks.

 

[wildbill23c]

I have the same problem except mine is on the passenger side, I just haven't felt like pulling the dash a part to fix it. Most likely its coming from the dash/firewall area as nothing higher than that is ever wet. I know its not the heater core as its not coolant, its just plain water every time it rains or even through a car wash.

 

[enjr44]

I have the same problem except mine is on the passenger side, I just haven't felt like pulling the dash a part to fix it. Most likely its coming from the dash/firewall area as nothing higher than that is ever wet. I know its not the heater core as its not coolant, its just plain water every time it rains or even through a car wash.

Well, I really don't have that option here in western WA. I'd have to drill drain holes to keep my feet dry over here

 

[dark_flame221]

same problem here same truck same side ! the driver floor is gone even the seat bracket broke because of the rust and the passenger floor are immaculate

i know he get wet Under my kick panel, does this should give me a hint for where to start from ?

 

[enjr44]

All is dry now. But, it was driving me crazy.

First, I flushed out the cowl by removing the access plates and putting a hose in there. Didn't seem to be leaking from inside there. But, a bunch of dirt came out.

1. Found a leak in the pinch seam on the left side of the firewall. Just below the cowl access panel and to the right of the of the wiring harness. leaked into the cab where the left cab panel and the firewall meet and ran down the corner seam. Cleaned the seam and used rust converter on the rust. Then resealed that. Probably would not have leaked if #2 had not rusted the seam and pushed the caulk out. I had to tear out the interior sound padding to open up the area.

2. The hood/cowl gasket was leaking onto the top of the power brake booster and onto the firewall in a number of places. Replaced the gasket and put butyl rubber sealer under it when I installed it. Actually, I got another one from the JY (free) and made a longer one from the two. So that it would go all the way across to the fenders. That fixed that leak. Also sealed around the brake booster and steering shaft because I could.

3. Windshield was leaking. Found that by foaming the outside of the windshield and blowing compressed air around the edges from the inside. It was the original windshield and had seen better days, so had that replaced. That was the worst because of the cost ($160). They found rust on its frame and it had creeped under the original seal (treated that with rust converter). Sort of weird, because the leak was showing up inline with the steering shaft; but, was actually about three inches up the left pillar.

I was lucky that there was no rust (well very little and I treated that) on the floor pans. When I put the interior back in I sealed all bolts and screws as they went in.

It took a lot of time, money and effort; but, I think it was worth it.

Ed

 

[swynx]

Spray the shit out of it with never wet ...

 

[dark_flame221]

thx ! will try to fix my winshield first

 

[enjr44]

Your probably correct. Windshield leaks are very hard to fix permanently. But, if you reseal it (under the trim) you will at least know that the leak was caused by the windshield.

The problem with fixing a windshield leak is that it is always (99.9%) caused by rust. One small spot grows and grows and grows, pushing the seal away from the truck body. At the same time, where you see the leak may not be where it is leaking. And there is no good way to really fix it with the windshield in place.

To troubleshoot mine, I used duck tape all around windshield after fixing the other leaks. When that seemed to stop the leak, I had a glass shop test it. They used compressed air on the inside and foaming glass cleaner on the out side to verify the leak. Rust is the killer for windshields, if you don't permanently fix that, the leak will always come back.

Ed