Water drip under dash after washing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Water drip under dash after washing
The last time that I washed my Vette, I found water dripping inside under the driver's side dash, on the brake pedal. Do you suppose that is from the seal around the windshield, or the windshield wiper bay/cowling? Any experienced voices have stories to tell? I have had the dash apart, and the dash pad out; it's relatively rust free to the sight. Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 17
From: Fl
what year is the car?
1973 > maybe be a different cause then < 1973 ......
T-tops or convertible?
Has the windshield ever been replaced before?
If so - very important to adequately seal the inner and out chrome
reveal molding.
ideas:
1. Rust somewhere in the birdcage..
2. leak possibly windshield related
3. On 1972 and earlier cars, there is a surround support part that is
riveted to the firewall/cowling under the surround. This area is very
susceptible to rusting our overtime.
Hope these ideas help some.
Just be patient and take your time tracking down the leak.
Bill
1973 > maybe be a different cause then < 1973 ......
T-tops or convertible?
Has the windshield ever been replaced before?
If so - very important to adequately seal the inner and out chrome
reveal molding.
ideas:
1. Rust somewhere in the birdcage..
2. leak possibly windshield related
3. On 1972 and earlier cars, there is a surround support part that is
riveted to the firewall/cowling under the surround. This area is very
susceptible to rusting our overtime.
Hope these ideas help some.
Just be patient and take your time tracking down the leak.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 40
From: Panama City Beach, Florida
OR ....
Maybe the tar like stuff they used to seal up the area underneath the wiper area has dried out and cracked and leaked. That's what happened to my 75, I re-sealed the area and it took care of the problem.
Frank
Maybe the tar like stuff they used to seal up the area underneath the wiper area has dried out and cracked and leaked. That's what happened to my 75, I re-sealed the area and it took care of the problem.
Frank
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
This was my first guess and hope, cause I think I can fix something like that pretty easily. Mine is a 72 Coupe with original windshield. I applied fresh black sealer to the top of the windshield trim piece between the windshield trim and the t-top 'I' piece a few years ago and solved a leak at the top of the windshield. This new leak only just showed up darnit. Thanks for everyone's advice.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Try pouring water on the windshield so the water will only fill the area behind the molding.(Dont let any run down in the area below the windshield.)Now see if it drips through.You can put masking tape around the lower windshield forming a little dam if it makes it easier.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Jackson, MS USA
Same thing was happening to my 69 vert. The firewall was separating from the bird cage. Started as a small crack. However, this will be the easiest to fix if you do not have major rust issues in the cage.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
No offense intended, get your butt under the dash and follow where it's coming from. It's called detective work. We can sit on this box we call a computer for days on end, and not a damn one of us can tell you exactly what the problem is. Get under there and look. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
The last time that I washed my Vette, I found water dripping inside under the driver's side dash, on the brake pedal. Do you suppose that is from the seal around the windshield, or the windshield wiper bay/cowling? Any experienced voices have stories to tell? I have had the dash apart, and the dash pad out; it's relatively rust free to the sight. Thanks.
Pull that dash out and spray water inside the wiper area, if its leaking your there your skewed
best of luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
Thanks to all of you that offered stories of experience and/or helpful suggestions. To that one that offered nothing, I guess I will just say sorry you had such a bad day, because a response such as yours was both offensive and unnecessary. Next time just count to 10 and go on to the next thread....
