Wet Carpet

[helpme]

Has anybody ever figured out where the leak is coming from that soaks the carpet in Rangers? I have cleaned out the cowl area and I still get wet carpet on the passenger and drivers side. Gotta be a bulletin on this. Thanks.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

I just picked up a ’92 with a ruined headliner and wet, rotting carpet. On mine, the leak is on the driver’s side, about 3/4 of the way up the side of the windshield, where they sealed it to the body (I had a second leak on the roof as well, but that’s because it was a county truck and used to have an emergency light up top).

In my case, I have glass coverage on the truck and just noticed a small crack from the sand trucks. Once it spreads, I’m going to just have the windshield replaced and hope that’s all it is. I’d be interested to hear if you find another spot...

 

[adsm08]

There is a patch panel behind the dash, roughly opposite the one in the middle of the cowl in the engine bay. I had a good leak from that a few years back, had to pull the dash, take it off and reseal it with RTV.

 

[helpme]

Thanks. The truck is 24 years old. I'll check those.

 

[RonD]

Windshield trough at the lower corners is also a common leak point

Behind the windshield trim is a trough that runs around the windshield
Windshield is sealed to a ridge and the trough is the outside edge of that ridge

Water runs under the trim and down the trough, it then sits in the lower corners, and starts to rust out the metal.
Rust hole here will leak into the cab

On most years you can pull the trim off and have a look, may be run some water and see if it starts to leak into the cab.
Fix is to pull off windshield and repair the metal in the trough
But..........some have used silicone to seal the rust holes, it will continue to rust however

 

[helpme]

OK. The leak is definitely coming from the cowl and leaking from the right side of the air conditioning plenum behind the glove box. Running like a fire hose.
I'm glad my AC doesn't work. Low or no gas. Since it looks like I'll be pulling that apart.
I read somewhere that you can remove the cowl panel by removing clips from inside the cowl area. That might be a newer version than mine though.
Perhaps I could silicone it from inside the cowl area if I can get the cowl panel off.

 

[helpme]

Found this video on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1ODcVMmd5U
I think the flappers get hard and restrict the flow of debris and water from the cowl. Most people are pulling these off for good.
My cowl is spotwelded. I don't think its a rust issue as there is little rust elsewhere on the vehicle.
When I pulled out the glove box, I discovered pine straw and leaves on top of it. How did it get there?
I'll pull the fenders off today. Thanks all.
Rain coming in this weekend.

 

[black06xlt]

i have the same problem on my 92 havent bee able to spot the leak yet

 

[helpme]

I only had to loosen up the fenders by removing the top screws and fender well screws and tilting it out.The cowl drains were clogged as I expected. I ripped the flapper doors off for good and cleaned it out.
The radio antenna goes thru the right side which facilitates it clogging as well.
Then I cleaned out the inside of the fender drains with a shop vac.
Lastly I bored out the drain slots at the bottom of the fenders with a 1/2 inch drill.
Suppose to rain this weekend.