78 water in kick panels??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
78 water in kick panels??
Hi,
I washed my 78 vette Yesterday and for the first time I noticed water on my floor mats, everything was closed and I noticed a wet trail coming from the driver's side kick panels! I pryed the kick panels and stuck my fingers behind it and found it really wet back there!! Where is the leak coming from??? Is it a seal busted??? Help please!
I washed my 78 vette Yesterday and for the first time I noticed water on my floor mats, everything was closed and I noticed a wet trail coming from the driver's side kick panels! I pryed the kick panels and stuck my fingers behind it and found it really wet back there!! Where is the leak coming from??? Is it a seal busted??? Help please!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
This is one of the major problems with the corvettes. It could be coming in just below the windshield, but most probably it could be running through the upper windshield frame. If you can remove your rear veiw mirror and the upper header cushion or pad you may see that its starting to rust out. You may have to remove the chrome trim to see if it is leaking there.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Hamden CT
St. Jude Donor '12
Hi,
I washed my 78 vette Yesterday and for the first time I noticed water on my floor mats, everything was closed and I noticed a wet trail coming from the driver's side kick panels! I pryed the kick panels and stuck my fingers behind it and found it really wet back there!! Where is the leak coming from??? Is it a seal busted??? Help please!
I washed my 78 vette Yesterday and for the first time I noticed water on my floor mats, everything was closed and I noticed a wet trail coming from the driver's side kick panels! I pryed the kick panels and stuck my fingers behind it and found it really wet back there!! Where is the leak coming from??? Is it a seal busted??? Help please!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Make sure the drain holes at the bottom of the front fenders are not clogged. If they are, water can back up and leak in thru the kick panels. The water runs from the windshield wiper tray area down both sides, through plastic screens designed to catch big stuff like leaves (if they are there on your year model), down the innner fender area to the bottom drains and out.
Run a thin screwdriver or coathanger wire up thru the bottom of the drain outlets. If clogged, that could be your problem.
Run a thin screwdriver or coathanger wire up thru the bottom of the drain outlets. If clogged, that could be your problem.
Last edited by stock76; May 29, 2011 at 10:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
I will try the coat hanger up the drain holes on front fender trick! I noticed a lot of leaves in the in the wiper tray area. I have plastic screens set up, there is a bit of a gap for an opening. Will try the coat hanger trick and keep you posted. Thanks everyone!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Make sure the drain holes at the bottom of the front fenders are not clogged. If they are, water can back up and leak in thru the kick panels. The water runs from the windshield wiper tray area down both sides, through plastic screens designed to catch big stuff like leaves (if they are there on your year model), down the innner fender area to the bottom drains and out.
Run a thin screwdriver or coathanger wire up thru the bottom of the drain outlets. If clogged, that could be your problem.
Run a thin screwdriver or coathanger wire up thru the bottom of the drain outlets. If clogged, that could be your problem.
This is one of the major problems with the corvettes. It could be coming in just below the windshield, but most probably it could be running through the upper windshield frame. If you can remove your rear veiw mirror and the upper header cushion or pad you may see that its starting to rust out. You may have to remove the chrome trim to see if it is leaking there.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Rockford MI
I had this exact problem on my 78. There is a seam in the windshield wiper well just below the windshield. This was leaking on mine, bought some seam sealer from the auto parts store and resealed...fixed the problem.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 176
Likes: 1
I agree and would be the first thing I checked. Alot of junk washes down there even with the screens.
