Updated 2/6/17 With Pic - *Still* Seeking Help Finding Leak in Cabin

[kruisinkid]

i think you should revisit the sunroof drains. all 4 corners have drains. the drains in the front lead to pockets that will fill up and over flow into the cabin. it take quite a bit of fluid to make it over flow, so its deceiving. you might think its clear but it aint. ask me how i know. i put pure undiluted "purple stuff" down the tubes. i saw nothing dripping out of the bottom of the rockers. then after about 30-60 seconds, it started gushing out.

 

[MDarius]

What are the top identified possible causes?
1. Sunroof drain (top to bottom)
2. Windshield gasket
3. Sunroof drain tube
4. Firewall

I would start low and move high.
1. Pull the plug on the firewall and see if water comes out. Check for rust or possible intrusion spots. Hose it down and watch for water.
2. Pull the cover off the kick panel and check the sunroof drain tube. I think you said you already cleared the pinch weld drains, or this would be number 2.
3. Spray (pour?) Water on the exposed bolt where the door opens and watch for water inside, with the kick panel off.
4. Spray water on the windshield seams and watch for leakage, don't get it on the sunroof!
5. Wait for a while for all possible residual water to drain off, then direct water down the sunroof drains.
6. Close the sunroof and run water over it.

For each of these steps, if you see water that's your culprit. I don't think anyone mentioned the heater core. You would expect coolant smell and steam, but I've had it where it didn't smell strongly. If your carpet is out consider coloring the water to make it more visible.

 

[FJ80HI]

Another problem can be a leak in the rain gutter. Rain gutters have some type of sealant that cracks when it gets old. The cracks will allow water to leak into the roof and or down the door pilliar and drip on the floor mat. I just fixed my by using some Sika caulk. If not fixed the rain gutters will start to corrode and that can be a hard fix.

 

[iptman]

Working this problem too. Fished out the front right sunroof drain with trimmer line and tested by pouring a gallon of water down the sunroof channel. It all appeared to come out of the rocker. I also removed the plastic plugs on the rockers, not sure why I'd want to put them back. Can the drain tube get dislodged from either the drain up top or the hole in to the rocker below?

 

[JLH911]

Working this problem too. Fished out the front right sunroof drain with trimmer line and tested by pouring a gallon of water down the sunroof channel. It all appeared to come out of the rocker. I also removed the plastic plugs on the rockers, not sure why I'd want to put them back. Can the drain tube get dislodged from either the drain up top or the hole in to the rocker below?

Did the trimmer line exit somewhere at the bottom? Mine is not. I tried blowing compressed air from the front sunroof drain and I don't hear/feel it coming out at the bottom. Is maybe the running board in the way?

 

[MDarius]

Working this problem too. Fished out the front right sunroof drain with trimmer line and tested by pouring a gallon of water down the sunroof channel. It all appeared to come out of the rocker. I also removed the plastic plugs on the rockers, not sure why I'd want to put them back. Can the drain tube get dislodged from either the drain up top or the hole in to the rocker below?

I've heard of that tube becoming disconnected inside, especially by running too much air through it. I bought a small endoscopic camera that connects to my phone for stuff like this. No need to take down the headliner to figure out what's going on. No need to pull apart the dash looking for a leak. It's the best $12 I've spent.

DBPOWER 7MM Android Endoscope Android Borescope with OTG Micro USB Endoscope Camera Waterproof Borescopes Inspection Camera with 6 LED and 3M Cable Amazon.com: DBPOWER 7MM Android Endoscope Android Borescope with OTG Micro USB Endoscope Camera Waterproof Borescopes Inspection Camera with 6 LED and 3M Cable: Industrial & Scientific

 

[Rifleman]

Just a crazy idea, but how about a leaking heater core being the cause????

 

[JLH911]

regular tap water that comes from a hose or at a car wash, may not have too much surface tension to make it through to where it's leaking. I know it may sound weird, but rain water is pretty pure. I would suggest maybe trying distilled water and see if that works.

 

[bhsdriller]

I had a sunroof leak, maybe drains, that was dripping down and coming out this spot behind the kickpanel. It didn't get anything wet above the carpet since it came from behind the panel but it would completely soak the carpet

 

[cc72red]

I have been having the same issue for the past month. Since I experienced this in the past and had clogged sunroof drains, that was the first thing I checked this time. The problem was a clog high toward the roof. However, this time there was an additional problem. There were a few screws loose in the mechanism with the sunroof that had a plate covering helping seal it as well. When the water backed up from the clogged drain, it got under that plate and ran down toward the passenger side where the welded seam was. It was running down the well following hat line and running along the inside trim and straight into the floor boards. We put silicone sealer under that plate and screwed the screws in tight and no more leaks. So, I suggest you check all of those screws in the sunroof mechanism just in case.
Cindy

 

[mudgudgeon]

Just a crazy idea, but how about a leaking heater core being the cause????

You'd smell the antifreeze/coolant everytime you stepped in the car IMHO

 

[mudgudgeon]

I've heard of that tube becoming disconnected inside, especially by running too much air through it. I bought a small endoscopic camera that connects to my phone for stuff like this. No need to take down the headliner to figure out what's going on. No need to pull apart the dash looking for a leak. It's the best $12 I've spent.

DBPOWER 7MM Android Endoscope Android Borescope with OTG Micro USB Endoscope Camera Waterproof Borescopes Inspection Camera with 6 LED and 3M Cable Amazon.com: DBPOWER 7MM Android Endoscope Android Borescope with OTG Micro USB Endoscope Camera Waterproof Borescopes Inspection Camera with 6 LED and 3M Cable: Industrial & Scientific

Great tip! Technology is so cheap!

 

[mudgudgeon]

What are the top identified possible causes?
1. Sunroof drain (top to bottom)
2. Windshield gasket
3. Sunroof drain tube
4. Firewall

I would start low and move high.
1. Pull the plug on the firewall and see if water comes out. Check for rust or possible intrusion spots. Hose it down and watch for water.
2. Pull the cover off the kick panel and check the sunroof drain tube. I think you said you already cleared the pinch weld drains, or this would be number 2.
3. Spray (pour?) Water on the exposed bolt where the door opens and watch for water inside, with the kick panel off.
4. Spray water on the windshield seams and watch for leakage, don't get it on the sunroof!
5. Wait for a while for all possible residual water to drain off, then direct water down the sunroof drains.
6. Close the sunroof and run water over it.

For each of these steps, if you see water that's your culprit. I don't think anyone mentioned the heater core. You would expect coolant smell and steam, but I've had it where it didn't smell strongly. If your carpet is out consider coloring the water to make it more visible.

Great advise to start at the lowest possible cause first and work up.
Be patient. Usually a hose running slowly for several minutes is better than a lot of pressure for a few seconds

 

[Wayne]

When the A/C is ON do you see condensation dripping under your Cruiser? If the condenser drain hose is plugged or disconnected it will cause a leak that'll soak the passenger side carpet. Just a thought.

 

[bicycleagent003]

Bump here. Edit didn't bump it. Thanks.

 

[Kief]

Water can also come in the door panels when the plastic membrane is cut, especially when aftermarket speakers are installed and the outer wiper on the window is not in good shape.

 

[bicycleagent003]

I've concluded my windshield is leaking, because I can feel and see water dripping on top of the heater blower motor in front of the passenger's knee area. Below that is also the drip trail the baby powder technique revealed. I can snake my hand up under the dash and feel some drops on top of the blower motor too. So, my local glass guy (who seems to be an expert, and did a chip repair for me before) is going to come take a look at it tomorrow. He said he'd sell me a tube of the professional sealant I would not be able to get otherwise. That's if I choose to do the reseal without removing the glass.
I'll see what my glass guy, Ben, says then report back.

 

[Wayne]

Good luck, and I hope you've found the leak. Leaks in and around the windshield and dash can make you want to say ugly word.

 

[bhsdriller]

HOW TO: Fix your leaky windshield

followed this thread using the same sealant and it's easy and works great

 

[Kief]

I've used Sika flex from the glass shop and you need to keep it hot and also have used the 3m flavor. Some windshields are glued in and require the proper adhesive for safety reasons. The 80 windshield just needs to be sealed for water intrusion. I've reused old gaskets with good results and purchases new gaskets too. DO Not put the adhesive on the gasket first, it's super messy. I don't you are having a glass guy do it no worries!