Invasive water!!!

[86RangerDrew]

My 86 has issues with water leaking...I have replaced the windshield,sanded sealed and replaced.It still leaks water most on the passenger side...I have also noticed that outside debris ends up on the passenger side floormat...I have closed the outside vent,opened it,closed it but nothing seems to help...Door seals have been replaced at a cost...but this is not where the leak comes from...Ever since the windshield glass has been replaced,very little water on the driver side pan...Can anyone help?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Sounds like the cowl could be rusting through.

 

[jhammel85]

I agree. Most likely the cowl / seam sealed spots. I've got both sides going in mine...

Leaves and debris are know to get jammed down the cowl over time and hold water. Thus rusting it.

 

[whocares]

I have found and repaired so many different leaks on mine it's ridiculous. Fix one spot and it seems to divert water to another area. I took the cowl off, sealed everything in sight. Still leaks nicely, and on both sides. I think my next step is to start drilling holes in the floor and try to pretend like it isnt happening.

 

[shane96ranger]

I've read several of these cowl issues over the past few months. I remembered my buddies old 67 Mustang cowl leaked, and he had a cover on it that worked very well.

I thought I might pass the idea along with this link below. It's made of Plexiglass and has a seal around it to prevent water from entering the cowl. Maybe it can spark an idea for someone.

http://store.sacramento-mustang.com...413.aspx?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase

 

[jhammel85]

^ I'd totally buy one if I could. Only temporarily though until I've got the time to pull the dash and actually patch it up.

Ive been thinking about what to do for a while. I've thought of ways to block off the cowl but only if I could do it from the inside of the cowl....

1st gens have the plates that go through the cowl area so maybe through there somehow? I might have to have a beer or two this weekend and just think about this one.

 

[Mark_88]

I covered my last one up with duct tape...there is enough air flow around the cowl (it's not sealed) so there is no need for it in my opinion...

But, then again, I like the cowl cover idea...I've been looking for one for a while...used to have on on my, ahem, Skoda...they were an option I bought at the dealership...and they worked very well at keeping out rain, snow, and droppings from trees...

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

I used to put sheet magnet material cut to fit over mine. (the same material used for magnetic door signs.) It kept all the leafs and debri out of it when it was parked. Remove it before driving or it will blow off.

 

[shane96ranger]

I used to put sheet magnet material cut to fit over mine. (the same material used for magnetic door signs.) It kept all the leafs and debri out of it when it was parked. Remove it before driving or it will blow off.

That's a good idea. Did it hold in place pretty well?

 

[GoodOld85BlueBalls]

That's a good idea. Did it hold in place pretty well?

held good enough while it was parked. I was getting tired of every time I drove it and fired up the heater, a ton of leafs would shred in the fan and smell awful.

 

[Turbo-T]

My 84 was getting a lot of water on the floor this past winter. I pulled the trim off around the windshield and found rust holes in the 2 upper corners where the roof seam is. I cleaned off the rust and applied Seal All. Been dry since.

 

[shane96ranger]

held good enough while it was parked. I was getting tired of every time I drove it and fired up the heater, a ton of leafs would shred in the fan and smell awful.

Yeah, I hate that!!!

 

[jhammel85]

Since yesterdays postings on here, I really started thinking about a way to fix this. I took the clean out plate off of the firewall (the center one) and made a template from an old manilla folder. The template was made to go under the cowl "grill". We have a ton of sheet metal here at work so I grabbed a few scraps to move the template too. If I can figure out a way to get this in there and sealed, it could be pretty nice. I want it to look very clean.

If all goes well this weekend, I'll post up on TRS a how to. Hopefully if it's the OP's problem it'll help.

 

[triumphrider-1]

I had thought about brazing in some steel/stainless screen to the underside of the cowl vent to keep the stuff out. Not sure how well it would hold up, but something else that may work.

 

[strvger]

my leak was where the cowl/firewall, fender, hood, and windshield kinda come together. filled that whole seam (a few inches or so) with silicone and no leaks since.