Desperately need to find leak

[01YukonSC]

I've unclogged my sunroof drains. I've greased the seal. Now I've taped up the sunroof with flex seal. I've stripped out the carpet and carpet pad to treat for mold. Now we just had a strong rain and I've got a puddle on the passenger side.

The tape on the sunroof is good. The leak appears to be coming from under the dash, right behind the circular part that has the red arrow going to it. Where could this leak be coming from? Is it likely the windshield? I can't think of anywhere else to check.


Also does anyone know of any danger to removing the rubber and foam that is circled in red? The black plastic basically breaks apart with any contact due to age. Can I just remove it all? What purpose does the foam and black plastic serve? What is it called if I wanted to order new?

If I don't figure this out soon I think my wife will be ready to get rid of it.

 

[wjburken]

I've unclogged my sunroof drains. I've greased the seal. Now I've taped up the sunroof with flex seal. I've stripped out the carpet and carpet pad to treat for mold. Now we just had a strong rain and I've got a puddle on the passenger side.

The tape on the sunroof is good. The leak appears to be coming from under the dash, right behind the circular part that has the red arrow going to it. Where could this leak be coming from? Is it likely the windshield? I can't think of anywhere else to check.


Also does anyone know of any danger to removing the rubber and foam that is circled in red? The black plastic basically breaks apart with any contact due to age. Can I just remove it all? What purpose does the foam and black plastic serve? What is it called if I wanted to order new?

If I don't figure this out soon I think my wife will be ready to get rid of it.

View attachment 241038 View attachment 241039

Have you checked/cleaned the condensate drain line for your A/C? That can plug up and cause water to come into the passenger compartment.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Like wjburken suggested, make sure that a clogged or disconnected A/C condensate drain hose is not the source of the leak. You did not mention if you ran the truck and the A/C somewhere, prior to the rain storm.

 

[OR VietVet]

The rubber and foam is noise deadening and heat insulation and can be replaced. Lots of parts stores have it or you can order at Rock Auto or Amazon.

Maybe this is it: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5996769&cc=1380372&jsn=2259

Actually that padding is likely more like this: https://www.amazon.com/Car-Insulati...icle+floor+heat+padding&qid=1582314663&sr=8-2

The leak may well be from a problem under the cowl cover at the bottom of the outside windshield. There are some you tube videos about all that. There is also a thread her about that too, if I can find it. I will post the link if I do.

Try this thread: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/water-intrusion.99521/#post-1190761

Another thread: https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/wet-passenger-carpet.71561/#post-1099584

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Check the ac drain, and if that's clear then hose that windshield down.

 

[01YukonSC]

Thanks for the responses. I actually hadn't ran the truck for 36 hours prior to the storm. Though I've wondered if something is going on with A/C as it puts off a lot of condensation/water under the truck when it's running.

I figured it was heat and sound related but wanted to make sure.

Will check the A/C condensate hose (any quick links to videos you know are good? Otherwise I can search). Then will remove the cowl below the windshield to check further.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[OR VietVet]

If your a/c is on for cooling or defroster and you are always seeing the water puddle below the passenger side firewall, that hose is not clogged. You would need to worry if you did not see water.

 

[wjburken]

If your a/c is on for cooling or defroster and you are always seeing the water puddle below the passenger side firewall, that hose is not clogged. You would need to worry if you did not see water.

You’re referring to a puddle on the driveway, not the floorboard I’m assuming.

 

[01YukonSC]

Thanks for the clarification. There's a lot of water but it does the same thing on the back rear when it is running as well. Have been told it's normal by a shop when I needed tie rods done and asked.

 

[OR VietVet]

You’re referring to a puddle on the driveway, not the floorboard I’m assuming.

You betcha, Wade!

Nick, the water at the rear is for the rear a/c. Assuming of course you have rear a/c. If you also see a water puddle below the tailpipe dripping down to the ground, that is also normal. A byproduct of the combustion process.

 

[01YukonSC]

Found the problem (see pic).

Fairly obvious right under the cowl. Tested with a hose on the windshield and the water catches the back part of the crack. Sealed up with some flex seal tape for now. Will probably have my brother weld it back if possible, though he doesn't work with autos. Should be straightforward to weld?

 

[01YukonSC]

You betcha, Wade!

Nick, the water at the rear is for the rear a/c. Assuming of course you have rear a/c. If you also see a water puddle below the tailpipe dripping down to the ground, that is also normal. A byproduct of the combustion process.

Right. I know the back is from the rear A/C. It's always seemed to be more than I would expect though. But the few mechanics I've seen has said it is normal. A year or two ago, though, I didn't realize the rear A/C was there but found out after getting up underneath. Pleasant surprise as I thought something else was wrong. Have dealt with a leaking rear differential so that much fluid was much better to come from the A/C lol.

 

[01YukonSC]

Better pic for those for future reference if someone else runs in to this.

 

[OR VietVet]

Found the problem (see pic).

Fairly obvious right under the cowl. Tested with a hose on the windshield and the water catches the back part of the crack. Sealed up with some flex seal tape for now. Will probably have my brother weld it back if possible, though he doesn't work with autos. Should be straightforward to weld?

View attachment 241047

I would have had no idea to look under that cowling unless other members had not suggested it here. Even being old as I am, I learn all the time here.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Found the problem (see pic).

Fairly obvious right under the cowl. Tested with a hose on the windshield and the water catches the back part of the crack. Sealed up with some flex seal tape for now. Will probably have my brother weld it back if possible, though he doesn't work with autos. Should be straightforward to weld?

View attachment 241047

If it's too tricky to weld, and you can't see it anyways, I'd bet a good cleaning and a nice bead of silicone would do the trick.

 

[OR VietVet]

The repairs I have seen in the you tube videos involved the sealant, no welding that I saw.

 

[01YukonSC]

Hasn't this bought about silicone. Haven't used it before but will look into it. I'm sure that'd be far easier than welding. Will probably let the flex seal tape go for a while and recheck at the next oil change (just did it last weekend) to see how it's holding up.

Now to take apart the dash and clean out the vents to try to get rid of the moldy smell.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[wjburken]

Hasn't this bought about silicone. Haven't used it before but will look into it. I'm sure that'd be far easier than welding. Will probably let the flex seal tape go for a while and recheck at the next oil change (just did it last weekend) to see how it's holding up.

Now to take apart the dash and clean out the vents to try to get rid of the moldy smell.

Thanks for the help everyone.

A lot of options for the silicone sealant. Here is one from AutoZone.
https://m.autozone.com/sealants-glu...w6-ivrb8ATpsaWiYxEQaAh0mEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[drakon543]

they actually sell a special seam sealer at auto parts stores for that. 2000 model civics were terrible in the trunk for body panel seams leaking. as i have a 2000 civic and i had a lake for a trunk i used this stuff and its works great. its also paintable after it cures so you can coat it to the factory color with some touch up also.

 

[OR VietVet]

Hasn't this bought about silicone. Haven't used it before but will look into it. I'm sure that'd be far easier than welding. Will probably let the flex seal tape go for a while and recheck at the next oil change (just did it last weekend) to see how it's holding up.

Now to take apart the dash and clean out the vents to try to get rid of the moldy smell.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I don't remember the name but there is a spray that you can do through the vents that kills the mold smell and kills the mold as well. I have seen it at parts stores. Do some research before the dash teardown.