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Have had my 944 in a couple of downpours but then yesterday I found water collecting in driverside footwell near the fender/door. Checked the sunroof drains, they drain well. Under hood drains are clear. Door seals seem good. Where do I look next?
I'd be looking for cracked or failed seam sealer at all the spot welded body seams that are exposed to water. For water showing up in the kick panel, start at the firewall and cowl area. Be sure to keep the cowl area and drains clean. There are also cowl seams hidden by the fender. Leaks can also be from firewall seals for wiring harness, brake booster, etc. or door jamb seals at light switch and door wiring bellows.
I'd be looking for cracked or failed seam sealer at all the spot welded body seams that are exposed to water. For water showing up in the kick panel, start at the firewall and cowl area. Be sure to keep the cowl area and drains clean. There are also cowl seams hidden by the fender. Leaks can also be from firewall seals for wiring harness, brake booster, etc. or door jamb seals at light switch and door wiring bellows.
Yeah it seems like I've got a scavenger hunt on my hands. This is a new car to me so it's good to find all these things anyway, but the list of things to address keeps getting longer! Any thoughts on best way to test? I've wondered if I should just pull the carpet and use a hose to flood areas and see if I can find a leak that way. Some people have suggested shining a light from the driver foot well and looking for spots in the firewall/cowl area in the dark. I do think I'll probably wait for the floor to dry completely and then flood the cowl area and see if that results in anything. This is the kind of thing I need to build patience for in owning this car, slow diagnosis. I prefer to know a problem and get right to the fix.
Yes, patience is key. Best method for me has been removing interior paneling from the vicinity and exploring inside the car at the outset of a rain storm. With the driver seat removed, you can lay with your head in the footwell and hopefully watch it develop. Remember that where the water collects is rarely where the leak source is. Tissue paper can be a good tool for identifying the leak path.
Photos of the cowl well surface and firewall may help guide more specific advice.
11-07-2023, 03:46 AM
1985 944, can't find source of leak
