Interior Leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Interior Leak
Has anyone had problems with/ solved an interior leak over the driver's left foot area? Seems to come in thru the Wiper tray, and down the left fender area just forward of the door.
I thought of spraying sealer down the drain area, but the water has to go somewhere, just not into the floor on my foot. Open to any ideas.
I thought of spraying sealer down the drain area, but the water has to go somewhere, just not into the floor on my foot. Open to any ideas.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
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Don't spray any sealer in there...been there made the problem worse!
Try removing the kick panel and any soundproofing...then get a friend to add water to that area under the hood slowly (in case the water has to reach a certain level before it begins leaking) while you use a light to look for the source of the leak...the origin could be anywhere and the water trickles down to where you can see it. Hopefully you can find it without taking out the left instrument panel.
Don't spray any sealer in there...been there made the problem worse!
Try removing the kick panel and any soundproofing...then get a friend to add water to that area under the hood slowly (in case the water has to reach a certain level before it begins leaking) while you use a light to look for the source of the leak...the origin could be anywhere and the water trickles down to where you can see it. Hopefully you can find it without taking out the left instrument panel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
If I were like a lot of the Old Fa*ts here in S.W. Fla. that might work. Don't bring it out unless all Wx. conditions are just right??
Sorry, or not, I happen to think and old Vette should be enjoyed and driven, and sometimes I happen to get caught in the rain. Don't like to wash my foot but the usual once a week.
Sorry, or not, I happen to think and old Vette should be enjoyed and driven, and sometimes I happen to get caught in the rain. Don't like to wash my foot but the usual once a week.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Look! Rodney Dangerfield joined the Forum!
Don't spray any sealer in there...been there made the problem worse!
Try removing the kick panel and any soundproofing...then get a friend to add water to that area under the hood slowly (in case the water has to reach a certain level before it begins leaking) while you use a light to look for the source of the leak...the origin could be anywhere and the water trickles down to where you can see it. Hopefully you can find it without taking out the left instrument panel.
Don't spray any sealer in there...been there made the problem worse!
Try removing the kick panel and any soundproofing...then get a friend to add water to that area under the hood slowly (in case the water has to reach a certain level before it begins leaking) while you use a light to look for the source of the leak...the origin could be anywhere and the water trickles down to where you can see it. Hopefully you can find it without taking out the left instrument panel.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Where is the source of the water? Is it dripping/running from above? If so, seal the wiper trough. Is it coming up around the vent and seeping in? Clean the drains under each fender.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: Leesburg VA
I believe the best trouble shooting technique is as described by Doorgunner, with some modifications.
I would take off the kick panel and find a way to get yourself wedged in there so you can see up under the dash as well as possible as well as the guts behind the kick panel. Have a helper pour water in the windshield wiper trough slowly and see if you can spot any water coming in. If you do, then there is an issue with sealant in the seams that is cracked and letting water in. You should also see where the water drains out from the bottom of the car to ensure the drain in the plenum is clear. If no water comes out from under the car, or comes out very slowly, you may need to clear debris from the drain.
If water does not get in when you pour water in the windshield wiper trough, then it is time to move higher. Have your helper slowly pour water on the windshield right next to the pillar. If you see water now, it likely means you have holes in the birdcage which is not a simple nor cheap thing to fix. Do a search on "C3 Corvette water leak" on any of your favorite search engines and you will find plenty of info about this fairly common problem. There have been several threads here as well regarding repairing the birdcage rust.
Let us know what you find.
John
I would take off the kick panel and find a way to get yourself wedged in there so you can see up under the dash as well as possible as well as the guts behind the kick panel. Have a helper pour water in the windshield wiper trough slowly and see if you can spot any water coming in. If you do, then there is an issue with sealant in the seams that is cracked and letting water in. You should also see where the water drains out from the bottom of the car to ensure the drain in the plenum is clear. If no water comes out from under the car, or comes out very slowly, you may need to clear debris from the drain.
If water does not get in when you pour water in the windshield wiper trough, then it is time to move higher. Have your helper slowly pour water on the windshield right next to the pillar. If you see water now, it likely means you have holes in the birdcage which is not a simple nor cheap thing to fix. Do a search on "C3 Corvette water leak" on any of your favorite search engines and you will find plenty of info about this fairly common problem. There have been several threads here as well regarding repairing the birdcage rust.
Let us know what you find.
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I agree with everyone else about first finding out where it is coming in first - there are many possibilities. You need to methodically check everywhere.
I recently went through the same thing. The sealant in the wiper bay hardened with age, and cracked. It was leaking at the connection between the wiper bay and firewall (a lot), and also from behind the wiper mounts (a bit).
I recently went through the same thing. The sealant in the wiper bay hardened with age, and cracked. It was leaking at the connection between the wiper bay and firewall (a lot), and also from behind the wiper mounts (a bit).
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I believe the best trouble shooting technique is as described by Doorgunner, with some modifications.
I would take off the kick panel and find a way to get yourself wedged in there so you can see up under the dash as well as possible as well as the guts behind the kick panel. Have a helper pour water in the windshield wiper trough slowly and see if you can spot any water coming in. If you do, then there is an issue with sealant in the seams that is cracked and letting water in. You should also see where the water drains out from the bottom of the car to ensure the drain in the plenum is clear. If no water comes out from under the car, or comes out very slowly, you may need to clear debris from the drain.
If water does not get in when you pour water in the windshield wiper trough, then it is time to move higher. Have your helper slowly pour water on the windshield right next to the pillar. If you see water now, it likely means you have holes in the birdcage which is not a simple nor cheap thing to fix. Do a search on "C3 Corvette water leak" on any of your favorite search engines and you will find plenty of info about this fairly common problem. There have been several threads here as well regarding repairing the birdcage rust.
Let us know what you find.
John
I would take off the kick panel and find a way to get yourself wedged in there so you can see up under the dash as well as possible as well as the guts behind the kick panel. Have a helper pour water in the windshield wiper trough slowly and see if you can spot any water coming in. If you do, then there is an issue with sealant in the seams that is cracked and letting water in. You should also see where the water drains out from the bottom of the car to ensure the drain in the plenum is clear. If no water comes out from under the car, or comes out very slowly, you may need to clear debris from the drain.
If water does not get in when you pour water in the windshield wiper trough, then it is time to move higher. Have your helper slowly pour water on the windshield right next to the pillar. If you see water now, it likely means you have holes in the birdcage which is not a simple nor cheap thing to fix. Do a search on "C3 Corvette water leak" on any of your favorite search engines and you will find plenty of info about this fairly common problem. There have been several threads here as well regarding repairing the birdcage rust.
Let us know what you find.
John
When you take the kick panel off take your cell phone and snap a few photos of the top of the inside of the door pillar. Hopefully you won't find heavy rust. I resealed my wiper trough by removing all the old tar sealant with a solvent. I then brushed a automotive seam sealer on the seams and then coated the trough with a spray 3M rubber type sealer. Looks great and works.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Water seems to enter from the side of the wiper tray. There is a leaf guard there. Then water runs down behind the dash, or along the left fender under the 'A' pillar area, and enters behind the dash, drips on my left foot. I may try temp. taping off that drain in the wiper tray, and spraying water to see if the leak stops. The right side does not have a drip, nor is there one anywhere else. Guess I should be happy??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Many good ideas. Will be checking the wiper tray and cleaning it up next week. Maybe I can find a small neighbor. After 65 and at 2XL, getting up under the dash is more of a challenge than just driving with a wet foot, especially as I no linger live in Seattle.....
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: New Holland Pa
Keep us posted - I have the same leak on my 78, both sides. I had over an inch of standing water. I have the metal floor pans and they're just starting to rust from it. Tore all the carpet out till I get it figured out.
I have investigated a little. With the panels off, it's still hard to tell (been doing it solo in the rain!) but I'm pretty sure it's not from the vent area - just to the foot well side of it and from up higher.
I'll be following the above suggestions too.
I have investigated a little. With the panels off, it's still hard to tell (been doing it solo in the rain!) but I'm pretty sure it's not from the vent area - just to the foot well side of it and from up higher.
I'll be following the above suggestions too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Has anyone had problems with/ solved an interior leak over the driver's left foot area? Seems to come in thru the Wiper tray, and down the left fender area just forward of the door.
I thought of spraying sealer down the drain area, but the water has to go somewhere, just not into the floor on my foot. Open to any ideas.
I thought of spraying sealer down the drain area, but the water has to go somewhere, just not into the floor on my foot. Open to any ideas.
It is not uncommon for leaks to come in the firewall from the wiper assembly the old seals are body seals. Heck I have water dumping in my passenger side when we get heavy rains and if you watched the news about a month ago Colorado had record rains in the month of September where I live we had 4 inches of rain in less than 24 hours and the weather GODS did not predict it so I did not cover the car. I had 1 inch of water in both my floor boards and had to suck it up with a carpet cleaner. Why because the Weather Gods at the local news stations here really do suck at predicting weather that comes over the mountains or up from the gulf of mexico. If i had a days notice I could have covered the car
It took me 2 weeks to dry my 1977 Corvette out and I know where the leaks are now. Heater box and Wiper Assemblies and I will need to reseal them . My car is covered for the winter and parked for about 6 month and will work on leaks while it sits.
Last edited by MakoJoe; Oct 25, 2013 at 10:11 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 3
From: Conroe Texas
If the leak is from high up under the dash, check the seam between the firewall and the birdcage just below the windshield. Mine leaks there and I read that it is common as the bonding material shrinks and cracks. A small amount of water running down the windshield begins to leak inside quickly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Keep us posted - I have the same leak on my 78, both sides. I had over an inch of standing water. I have the metal floor pans and they're just starting to rust from it. Tore all the carpet out till I get it figured out.
I have investigated a little. With the panels off, it's still hard to tell (been doing it solo in the rain!) but I'm pretty sure it's not from the vent area - just to the foot well side of it and from up higher.
I'll be following the above suggestions too.
I have investigated a little. With the panels off, it's still hard to tell (been doing it solo in the rain!) but I'm pretty sure it's not from the vent area - just to the foot well side of it and from up higher.
I'll be following the above suggestions too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
If the leak is from high up under the dash, check the seam between the firewall and the birdcage just below the windshield. Mine leaks there and I read that it is common as the bonding material shrinks and cracks. A small amount of water running down the windshield begins to leak inside quickly.
Thanks,
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: New Holland Pa
If the leak is from high up under the dash, check the seam between the firewall and the birdcage just below the windshield. Mine leaks there and I read that it is common as the bonding material shrinks and cracks. A small amount of water running down the windshield begins to leak inside quickly.
2026 Loser of the Year
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Since I read this thread I deided to check out the driver's kick-vent while I was repairing the door cable.....
I didn't have any leaks, as I pressure washed every inch of the car after buying/trailering it to my house and washed a pile of leaves out of the wiper tray.
A WalMart bag of leaves/twigs/mouse nests/ bird feathers with a few shots of spray-cleaner for good measure came out of the vent passage by hand plus whatever the vacuum nozzle found....the passages feel and smell much better!
I didn't have any leaks, as I pressure washed every inch of the car after buying/trailering it to my house and washed a pile of leaves out of the wiper tray.
A WalMart bag of leaves/twigs/mouse nests/ bird feathers with a few shots of spray-cleaner for good measure came out of the vent passage by hand plus whatever the vacuum nozzle found....the passages feel and smell much better!
Last edited by doorgunner; Oct 27, 2013 at 07:04 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 127
Likes: 33
From: Punta Gorda Florida
Since I read this thread I deided to check out the driver's kick-vent while I was repairing the door cable.....
I didn't have any leaks, as I pressure washed every inch of the car after buying/trailering it to my house and washed a pile of leaves out of the wiper tray.
A WalMart bag of leaves/twigs/mouse nests/ bird feathers with a few shots of spray-cleaner for good measure came out of the vent passage by hand plus whatever the vacuum nozzle found....the passages feel and smell much better!
I didn't have any leaks, as I pressure washed every inch of the car after buying/trailering it to my house and washed a pile of leaves out of the wiper tray.
A WalMart bag of leaves/twigs/mouse nests/ bird feathers with a few shots of spray-cleaner for good measure came out of the vent passage by hand plus whatever the vacuum nozzle found....the passages feel and smell much better!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 3
Good luck!