Weird ass water leak
02-28-2010, 10:42 AM
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Awesome right up, thanks a lot. Could you please explain to me how to determine if its the a/c that's the problem in the first place? The tsb doesn't make much sense to me, does it only happen when it rains?
02-28-2010, 11:48 AM
#22
no, it doesnt only happen when it rains.... it happens anytime you use your A/C, or defroster.... this time of year requires the defroster a lot, so thats why it happens. basically, without this elbow, the condensate will try to drip out of the horizontal tube (how stupid was that idea?), and the wind from the moving vehicle/engine fan will blow the water droplets back towards the firewall. and, since the horizontal drip tube isnt sealed through the firewall with a watertight seal, it soaks through and goes straight to the floor board.
i just noticed mine was wet again. last time this happened, i made my own fitting at local napa since the local dealer didnt have the correct elbow in stock. anyhow, i just noticed the other day that my home made piece fell off, so i need to do it all over. but this time i have the ford piece. i was thinking about putting some super glue onto the elbow before slipping in into place, to avoid this again.
i am tired of removing the carpet to get it dried out. granted, it only takes about an hour to remove, it is just a hassle driving all ghetto for a few days while the carpet dries in the garage.
02-28-2010, 01:44 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yeah mine only seems to be an issue when it rains but I'm going to look into the hvac unit as well just to be safe...I guess when I noticed the floor was wet it was because my buddy got in with wet boots after it had been pouring.
02-28-2010, 02:12 PM
#24
There's at least three documented leaks that can cause a wet passenger side floorboard.
One is the ac drain tube. Here's the diagnosis: When you run the ac, it creates condensate that has to go somewhere. Often, you'll see a puddle of water form under the vehicle as the condensate drips out - that's normal. Or, you may hear that condensate dripping and sizzling as it hits hot engine components. The absence of either of these is a red flag, and an indication that the condensate may be dripping into your interior. As mattd17 said, the water exits that tube and wicks back along it's length through the firewall. Additionally, run the ac for a while, then locate the point in the passenger side footwell where the condenser tube goes through the firewall - it's directly opposite where it exits the other side. You'll see what looks like a foam gasket around it. Under the carpet is a black batting material. Feel for moisture at and below the condenser tube exit hole. The moisture should continue down onto the black batting material, then will have soaked through the carpet on the bottom of the foot well. If you find moisture above the condenser tube exit, you may have a different type of leak.
Another leak source is the rubber body grommets under the carpet. I found one of these loose and simply spinning in the hole. In rain, the right front wheel will drive water through it. Seal it up with silicone.
I've read about other leaks through the third brake light housing gasket and through poor windshield seals. Fortunately I don't have these. The most serious aspect of all this would be a situation where the fuse box were to get wet. I read a post about someone who had to replace the truck's PCM due to shorting caused by that.
One is the ac drain tube. Here's the diagnosis: When you run the ac, it creates condensate that has to go somewhere. Often, you'll see a puddle of water form under the vehicle as the condensate drips out - that's normal. Or, you may hear that condensate dripping and sizzling as it hits hot engine components. The absence of either of these is a red flag, and an indication that the condensate may be dripping into your interior. As mattd17 said, the water exits that tube and wicks back along it's length through the firewall. Additionally, run the ac for a while, then locate the point in the passenger side footwell where the condenser tube goes through the firewall - it's directly opposite where it exits the other side. You'll see what looks like a foam gasket around it. Under the carpet is a black batting material. Feel for moisture at and below the condenser tube exit hole. The moisture should continue down onto the black batting material, then will have soaked through the carpet on the bottom of the foot well. If you find moisture above the condenser tube exit, you may have a different type of leak.
Another leak source is the rubber body grommets under the carpet. I found one of these loose and simply spinning in the hole. In rain, the right front wheel will drive water through it. Seal it up with silicone.
I've read about other leaks through the third brake light housing gasket and through poor windshield seals. Fortunately I don't have these. The most serious aspect of all this would be a situation where the fuse box were to get wet. I read a post about someone who had to replace the truck's PCM due to shorting caused by that.