Water leak interior

[Bonnevillans]

I have a pool of water on the floor behind the drivers seat. Any known leaking rain water problems? Please help. Also, I have a 96 with water coming in on the left under the dash. Any suggestions I will try anything to stop water getting inside... thanks!

[bill buttermore]

A lot of Don's pix are gone, but there is still a boatload (sorry) of good info and other pix in this thread.

Be patient, and read the whole thread; several others chime in with pix on likely places where leaks occur.

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... f=19&t=176

[Bonnevillans]

One has a moonroof one doesn't... Read the article sounds like problem areas are.....cowl, which I always vacuum as well as the door jambs, the door seals, the rain gutters, and some foam seals along the firewall? The one with the moonroof there are tubes in the pillars? Will the headliner need to be removed? Thanks any pics would be great....so much water...

[bill buttermore]

The way most have approached this task is to remove the seats, console, carpet, etc. as needed, then have a helper spray water in a "rain-like" fashion while the observer inside searches for the incoming trickle. If the water is coming from under the headliner then, yeah, its gotta come out to resolve the problem. (Search feature will find threads to show how to R&R the headliner.) Same thing for the trunk - everything out down to the metal, then spray and observe. It is a big job, but it is not expensive to fix the leaks (except perhaps a leaking windshield or back glass), and your car will be so much nicer when it stays dry. Took me about a week to find and fix all of my leaks. The carpet and trunk pad will be hung up somewhere drying nicely while you find and fix the leaks. In my case, I refused to install the interior parts until everything was bone dry. Interestingly, I thought I had everything fixed until it rained. So, when you are spraying the car, try to simulate rainfall.

You really want to fix this. Besides the bad smell, wet interiors cause a host of ground fault problems too by encouraging corrosion.

[Bonnevillans]

Hi thanks for your help. I took out the rear seat and pulled rear portion of carpet up. Under rear seat is wet, the carpet and pad is soaked in the rear mostly behind the driver seat. When I look on the drivers side where the seat belt rolls back in the rear it looks like water might be coming in there.... Could it be rear window molding? I've heard they had problems mostly with shrinking,,,,, rubber around doors seem fine one screw for the gutter I can't get to screw in... Any suggestions? Any... Thnks

[bill buttermore]

Hi thanks for your help. I took out the rear seat and pulled rear portion of carpet up. Under rear seat is wet, the carpet and pad is soaked in the rear mostly behind the driver seat. When I look on the drivers side where the seat belt rolls back in the rear it looks like water might be coming in there.... Could it be rear window molding? I've heard they had problems mostly with shrinking,,,,, rubber around doors seem fine one screw for the gutter I can't get to screw in... Any suggestions? Any... Thnks

Yeah, shrinking door seals let water in. The thread linked above shows you how to fix 'em. Leaking rain gutter can also be a problem. Remove, repair cracks, and re-seal with 3M strip caulk along the strip and in every bolt hole.

[Bonnevillans]

Where can I find that 3m strip caulk? Have you ever changed the rear rubber seal on the back window?

[willwren]

If the rear window is leaking, it's only at the bottom edge between the rubber and glass. Clear or black RTV in a very thin bead (worked in with your finger, then wiped clean) will fix it.

Water under the back seat usually tells me to check the spare tire well. If the spare tire is dry, go for the door seals, but you might not need the strip caulk. If the spare tire is wet, look at the antenna and the taillights as culprits.

For the door seals, remove them and soak them in the tub with hot water for about 30 minutes to loosen them up. Make sure the grooves are clean, the starting at the bottom, press it in again, making sure they follow the inside corners of the door opening very tightly. You'll end up with a gap at the bottom due to shrinkage over time, and it won't be a problem. Shut the door immediately to hold it's position while it cools, and the seals will 'remember' where they should be now.

[bill buttermore]

Where can I find that 3m strip caulk? Have you ever changed the rear rubber seal on the back window?

Any parts store that sells 3M products should be able to fix you up. I let the professionals re-seal my front and back glass when they leak. Most are put in with urethane these days and the seal is integral to the strength of the body. In older cars, removing the glass also gives you the opportunity to repair any rusted metal.

[Bonnevillans]

Hi I pulled the entire rear seat out. Appears water coming down from the side. I had the car garage up until about six yrs ago. The rubber around the door doesn't appear that ithas shrunk. I have no rust on car. Consider resealing rear window vs chalking? If I pull the rubber around the rear window I assume it will need to be replaced professionally with new?

[willwren]

I'd say 90% it's the door seals. Follow my instructions above and see how it goes.

[bill buttermore]

Also, take a look to make sure the flat square of mastic is still covering the large opening at the side of the rear bench. As I recall, the trim panel beside the seat needs to be removed to access. That was one source of leaks on my '95

[Bonnevillans]

Hi still looking for leak.... Maybe it is the seal around the drivers door.... But how can it be wet under the back seat and inti the trunk...can the water spread u think? Frustrating, I silicones the drivers door seal and cleaned it seems to hace gotten worse....help