Water sloshing around, not from rocker panels, please help.

[Matmal]

So I've heard water slosh around before but always assumed it was gas in the fuel tank.

After a hard rain storm, I heard it worse than ever so I'm sure its water trapped somewhere.

I've checked my drain slits in the rocker panels and also poured water on the sunroof, which exited quickly out the rocker.

I checked the doors, none have water and draining fine.

I poured water in the cowl at wiper blades, poured right out on the ground.

The water sloshing sounds like a large amount. Very loud as if it is traveling a long way when I hit the brakes even softly and really crashing into whatever its contained in.


Where/what else can I check? I have searched the forum and have no other hits.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Double check your rocker panels, what you are describing sounds exactly like water in the rocker panels.

I would recommend removing all of the drain plug things along the entire length of the panel on both sides than drive it and see if it gets better.

If I remember correctly the roof drains have a separate drain from the rest of the rocker panels.

 

[eastoak]

Very weird, can’t think of any large long space for water to travel through on these trucks. My Ford Focus has a sound like water sloshing when I start it in the morning, haven’t figured out what it is but I also have not cared enough to check it out.

 

[Matmal]

I know, it seems like it has to be the panels...

When I checked them, both panels have the front most plugs missing already, I parked it on a down hill which should of drained water out, but nothing came out.... And I heard the sloshing after that still.

 

[Irish Reiver]

Check your rear quarters. Pull the cover off where you access the jack and tool kit. Pull off the whole panel - on both side and reach down. Expect to get your hands wet.
There are bungs that you can pull to let the water out. The water typically gets in through the holes where the belt moulding attaches. A little FIPG will seal it right up.

 

[desmocruiser]

Check your rear quarters. Pull the cover off where you access the jack and tool kit. Pull off the whole panel - on both side and reach down. Expect to get your hands wet.
There are bungs that you can pull to let the water out. The water typically gets in through the holes where the belt moulding attaches. A little FIPG will seal it right up.

Exactly where I would look, I seem to recall there are small rubber grommets that should let water out, but they quickly fill up with sediment that clogs the drain slit.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

both panels have the front most plugs missing

Check the other plugs down the length of the rocker panel. Pop them all out and go for a drive.

 

[Matmal]

Exactly where I would look, I seem to recall there are small rubber grommets that should let water out, but they quickly fill up with sediment that clogs the drain slit.

I will check them tonight for sure.

Check the other plugs down the length of the rocker panel. Pop them all out and go for a drive.

So, on the bottom of the rocker panels there are 3 rubber grommets, both my front most ones are already off.

Do these all drain different "sections" of the rocker panels does anyone know? I am wondering if the back 3rd of the rocker can be filled with water, even if the front third is free to drain.

 

[Matmal]

Well, I pulled all the rubber plugs on the rockers, dry as a bone.

I took the panels off and checked the quarters, and took the rubber plugs out of each quarter panel. Also bone dry...

The roof gutter sometimes leaks and some water gets inside the A pillar, but otherwise I've never seen or smelled evidence of moisture inside.

It'll have to remain a mystery... I can't imagine where it is.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Do these all drain different "sections" of the rocker panels does anyone know? I am wondering if the back 3rd of the rocker can be filled with water, even if the front third is free to drain.

It's all one section FWIW

What about the AC / air fan box? Is the drain for it clear

 

[Matmal]

It's all one section FWIW

What about the AC / air fan box? Is the drain for it clear

That's the only other place I'm left wondering about.

I'll check it if I can find where the drain is. My question/thought about it would be can it hold enough water to slosh and can it get rain water in it, as I haven't run the AC recently.

 

[White Stripe]

Check your door drains. The window seals always leak a little water past them and so the water has to drain out of the bottom of the doors. If the drains are clogged then water will pool in the door. If your getting water in the a pillar then it may be time to pull the windshield and check for rust as well leaking some water through. Honestly all 80 series owners in my opinion should remove windshield, quarter, and hatch glass as a part of baselining and repair rust. Also the tail light buckets can leak water.

 

[Uluabob]

Anyone know how to access these door drains? From the bottom of the door? Do I need to remove the door card thingy? I swear I can hear water sloshing around in my rear DS door, which makes me crazy as I just had the "belt moulding" replaced a few months ago!!

 

[Wagonone]

I love this forum! I just had this issue and sure enough it was water in the rocker panels. I pulled one plug and about 1 liter of water came out. I am trying to prevent this from happening again. Does anyone know how water gets in the rocker panels the first place?

 

[roadstr6]

I love this forum! I just had this issue and sure enough it was water in the rocker panels. I pulled one plug and about 1 liter of water came out. I am trying to prevent this from happening again. Does anyone know how water gets in the rocker panels the first place?

Sunroof drains into the rockers. Rockers drain onto the ground. When the rocker drains get clogged, water collects in the rockers.

 

[CJF]

Well, I pulled all the rubber plugs on the rockers, dry as a bone.

I took the panels off and checked the quarters, and took the rubber plugs out of each quarter panel. Also bone dry...

The roof gutter sometimes leaks and some water gets inside the A pillar, but otherwise I've never seen or smelled evidence of moisture inside.

It'll have to remain a mystery... I can't imagine where it is.

@Matmal still sloshing?

 

[Wagonone]

Sunroof drains into the rockers. Rockers drain onto the ground. When the rocker drains get clogged, water collects in the rockers.

Thanks @roadstr6 ! @Matmal did you ever track down the source of your issue?

 

[Broski]

Sunroof drains into the rockers. Rockers drain onto the ground. When the rocker drains get clogged, water collects in the rockers.

There are drains in the the bottom of the pinch seems, there little slits, they get clogged with silt and need to be cleaned

 

[Cruisin94]

There are drains in the the bottom of the pinch seems, there little slits, they get clogged with silt and need to be cleaned

What and where are the pinch seems located ?

 

[Cruisin94]

So I've heard water slosh around before but always assumed it was gas in the fuel tank.

After a hard rain storm, I heard it worse than ever so I'm sure its water trapped somewhere.

I've checked my drain slits in the rocker panels and also poured water on the sunroof, which exited quickly out the rocker.

I checked the doors, none have water and draining fine.

I poured water in the cowl at wiper blades, poured right out on the ground.

The water sloshing sounds like a large amount. Very loud as if it is traveling a long way when I hit the brakes even softly and really crashing into whatever its contained in.


Where/what else can I check? I have searched the forum and have no other hits.

Ever figure out the source/location ?