Passenger Compartment, Checking For Leaks
Door window slot sealsExcessive clearance between door window glass and slot seals cause doors to fill with water faster than door drains can remove it.
Note
Door drains must be open.
Work sequence
- open door
- roll up window
- remove door trim panel
- run normal water hose pressure on window glass
If water level inside door is above lower trim panel clips, - close door
- roll down window
- remove window slot seal
- with block of wood, rubber hammer, narrow glass channel gap until slot seal slightly touches glass (as shown)
- reinstall window slot seal
- retest for water leakage
- reinstall trim panel
Plastic moisture barrier, door panel clips
Broken/loose door panel clips, torn or wrinkled plastic moisture barriers will cause panels, interior carpeting to become wet.
Work sequence
- open door
- roll up window
- run normal water hose pressure on window glass
If bottom of door panel becomes wet/damp, - remove door trim panel
- check trim panel clips for leakage
- seal or replace clips as necessary
- check for leaks at plastic moisture barrier
CAUTION
Torn plastic moisture barriers must NOT be reused.
- remove plastic moisture barrier
- remove all remaining adhesive from door with solvent such as 3M(R) General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner or equivalent.
Note
If plastic moisture barrier is to be reused:
^ remove all traces of old adhesive material from plastic
- apply double sided adhesive tape AKL 434 019 25 to door
CAUTION
Install moisture barrier from bottom up without wrinkles on sealing surface.
- reinstall door trim panel
- retest for water leakage
Note
Take care NOT to damage moisture barrier when replacing inner door related items.
Door seals
Note
Before proceeding insure door alignment is correct.
Work sequence
- close door
- roll up window
- using normal water hose pressure, spray perimeter of door for a minimum of five minutes
- check interior for leakage
Note
Loose, wavy or twisted door seals can be repaired.
If water is noted, - replaced damaged door seal
If door seal NOT defective, - apply talcum powder to seal
- shut door
- remove seal if contact is NOT uniformly even
- with rubber hammer, bend seal mounting flange for even contact
If water enters between body and seal, - remove door seal
- apply silicone sealer between seal mounting flange and seal
- reinstall seal
- retest for water leakage
Door weatherstrips (window channel)
Work sequence
- close door
- roll up window
- using normal water hose pressure, spray weatherstrip a minimum five minutes
- repair or replace weatherstrip as necessary
- retest for leakage
Windshield seal
Work sequence
- remove A-pillar trim
- remove speaker grills, speakers
- run normal water hose pressure over windshield
- check for leakage to interior
- apply sealant D 011 003 or equivalent
- retest for water leakage
A-pillar
Work sequence
- remove A-pillar interior trim
- remove speaker at windshield
- using normal water hose pressure, spray water under plenum panel (arrow)
- check interior for leakage
- with a silicone sealer, seal Primer-coat drain hole
^ located approximately 50.8 mm (2.0 in) in from windshield frame corner
- seal joint under plenum panel where windshield frame, dash panel and A-pillar reinforcement come together (arrow)
Note
It may be necessary to remove fender for proper access to joint area.
Dash, plenum panel, cowel air Intake
Improper sealing of cables, hoses routed through front cross panel may cause water to enter vehicle interior.
Work sequence
- open hood
Note
The drain holes on either side of plenum panel must be kept free of debris.
- with normal water pressure, spray front cross/cowel panel
- check interior for leakage
^ pull back carpeting or remove lower dash trim for closer inspection
- blow dry any areas of leakage
- seal any leak with silicone sealer
- retest for leakage
A/C evaporator drain hose
An improperly installed A/C evaporator drain may cause water leakage into vehicle interior (as shown).
- run A/C and check for proper evaporator drainage
- if NO drainage, repair blockage
- retest for leakage
Rear side windows - two door
Note
Leakage occurs between weatherstrip and body only.
Wet seatbelts are caused by leaks at these windows.
Work sequence
- Lifting weatherstrip (arrow) with wood stick, blow dry around both sides, bottom of window
- apply silicone sealer to these areas
- retest for leakage
- clean off excessive sealer