Rain Leak Ideas
 

Help, I'm looking for ideas as to where water in the floor of my 1985 300TD is coming from. After heavy rain it appears in the right front and right rear floor boards. This is when the car is sitting, i.e. it wasn't being driven. The sunroof hasn't been opened in a long time, and the left side floorboards are dry. There is no evidence of water on the windows. Are there some drains that could be clogged ?

leaks
 

David, Go to 'diesel discussion', plenty of tips and topics there and don't forget to use the 'search' feature


thebern

I bet it is your front windshield gasket. Pull up on the out rubber lip. Does it snap back or return slowly? Does the part that is thick and close to the glass have any parts that are lifted away from the glass? If so it is the gasket. Not too bad a job to do ... as long as you don't break the glass!

I'm not saying that it isn't the windshield gasket, but I've seen/read about many of these leaks. I've seen the windshield seal mentioned, but it has never turned out to be the source of the leak.

You need to check three areas. The first is underneath the passenger side hood hinge. There is a drain there between the horizontal sheet metal and the firewall. It is like a dimple in the horizontal piece. Use baling wire to clear this out.

Second look at for a similar drain underneath the battery and clear it out.

Third, remove the battery and battery tray. Check for rust anywhere underneath this area.

It is almost certain you will find the leak in one of these areas.

Good luck,

Solution !
 

Thanks for all the advise ! I think the problem was a completely clogged drain hole under the battery. The water backed up and I guess was leaking through some rusty areas. I don't think the water would have even went through the rusty spot if the water hadn't been backing up. Anyway, the hole is unclogged and I applied a little silicone in the corner there.:D

Silicone is not a good material for this repair. It is corrosive and will cause further rust.

Good news is that you can usually easily peel it out after it has cured. You can then clean the area well with a steel brush, then use something non corrosive like regular white caulk.

Glad you found the source of the leak.

Good luck,

I'll have to look at the tube . It was a tube of aerisol caulk, I don't know if it's corrosive or not.