Water coming in through rear cabin ventilation vents

[JMC5000]

Hello,

During heavy rain and car washes, water is getting past the one-way cabin ventilation and pressure vents. It is wet in the jack/tools compartment so minimally the drivers side vent needs attention and, there is water sitting along the rear edge of the cargo area carpet. How is this best resolved? I have searched the forum for how to remove/replace the internal parts but didn't find much. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
jmc
2001 LC

 

[REZARF]

Jim, I would pull the interior panels and get a good look at what is actually happening. There is obviously the rear vents, but the window seals, gas tank door, as well as the body molding on the lower quarter panel are all possible places that water could enter as well. Also, you might check your tailgate and hatch while you are in there. If it were me, I'd pull all the panels and sit inside while someone outside hosed down the rig so you could see real time where you have ingress of water.

Once you track it down, seal it up with new parts or a marine type silicone depending on where and what type of leak you experience. Something like 3M's 3200 silicone will seal up quite a bit of gap... for a LONG time.

 

[taco47001]

My money is on the 3rd brake light seal as your culprit.....

 

[Bomar]

@taco47001 is 1000% correct....

3rd brake light.....

 

[JMC5000]

Thank you, gentlemen. I will pull the 3rd tail light as well. Def standing water sitting right below jack on the metal mounting bracket so perhaps two leaks.. will post back what I find. I was able to search a thread on removing interior panels for a subwoofer install but did not show removal of rear pillar panel. Any tips on that piece?

 

[REZARF]

Go buy a cheap set of interior panel tools from Harbor Freight or similar. They look like tiny plastic crow bars etc. They make a huge difference in getting the panels off. Basically you'll pop them off just like the lower panel. Gentle but firm pulling pop them right off. The little panel tools save the little tabs from breaking.