Water in Cab--Help!

[KDRABIK]

After a looonnnnnnnggggg stretch of rain here in the Great Lakes region, I noticed a small pool of water forming on the front passenger side near the door guard. I have vinyl floors so I couldn't tell I had a problem until the water built up. Once I pulled off the guards and lifted the flooring, WOW!! What a mess--and it smelled moldy too. I was away on business during most of the storms, so the truck was not driven. Any ideas where the water might have gotten in? I did a search on the matter, but the rear brake light is not the culprit. I do have clearance lamps, but could they let that much water in while the vehicle is still? Sorry for the long post. And thanks in advance.

'01 2500 QC

 

[PHaller]

My 97 filled with water too after a rain. It turned out to be the rear slider was not glued in well enough and allowed water a place to enter the cab. The water runs down a seam in the sheet metal behind the back seat to the floor. The dealer replaced the rear side window seals and resealed the rear slider. It was a real common problem with the second generation trucks.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

[KDRABIK]

Thanks for the reply Paul. I do have the sliding rear window, but when I checked the insulation under the vinyl flooring, it was dry in the rear portion of the truck. Just the front passenger side and driver side were wet. I should add that the passenger side was definitely wetter than the driver side.

 

[Joe G.]

Check the gasket for the cargo light. The way the floor pan is shaped, it that thing leaks you get water in the front. Sometimes, LOTS of water.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver, KDP 160,000-NM-WT Insurance

 

[mike r]

Mine was leaking through the passenger side rear of my QC. Have been hi and dry for 2 years now.

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'99 QC SB White/Agate Auto 3. 54's Mustang Bed Cover, Bed Liner,BD PNP, 4" ex, 275 injectors, ISSPRO PYRO/BOOST A-Pillar,LOUD JVC CD, boost module and elbow coming soon. transmission upgrades needed soon

 

[JYoung]

I had a 96 that had just such a leak. I discovered it when installing a sound system. Could not locate the leak at first. I removed the passenger seat and peeled back the carpet for a few weeks. Sure enough, the rear side vent window was leaking some water in. A little extreme maybe but since the dealer had it twice and said they could not find anything I experimented. Hope that helps.


97 2500 B5. 9 extra cab 152k and strong

 

[gitchesum]

You might also check the A/C drain. Mine was leaking back into the cab from there. I attached a piece of 5/8" heater hose to the end of it and clamped it on. No more water. The drain is kind of hard to see. It's on the passanger side firewall behind and below the canister(not sure what it's called). Good Luck.

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Curtis Harris
1997 3500 Club Cab
"CASPER"
Check out the Lone Star TDR

 

[Cooker]

KDRABIK,
I hear you about the rain!

Where in GR are you? I'm in Jenision.

-Ryan

 

[klenger]

I moved from Wyoming MI in 1976.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Deezul1]

My 96 did that and the only place it showes wet was passenger floor and it would make puddle above the carpet. It was the cargo light seal.

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97 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, Ranch Hand front and rear. Gauges, EGT, Boost, fuel pressure, oil temp,indash CB, custom switch mount-6 switches BD brake extra fuel tank 45gal. Oh oh dang cat fell off, took the muff with it. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[KDRABIK]

Thanks for all of your input regarding my water problem. Unfortunately, I did look at the AC drain, and it was not the culprit. I will check the vent window, and maybe try the rear slider next. The main concern is how much damage the water has done, and if I should ask the dealer to coat the floor boards with something to prevent rust from forming.
Cooker- My wife and I currently live in EGR, but are looking to get back into the country. The city is driving me nuts!! And my neighbors get grouchy when they hear that Cummins fire up every morning!

 

[1tuffram]

My '95 leaks from the body panel seams somewhere behind the front fenders by the firewall. The passengers side is worse than drivers side. It took a while to find where it was leaking from, but was finally able to narrow it down with a garden hose. The only way to fix the problem will be to have the fenders removed and reseal the seams where it's leaking. The water is entering the cab from behind the plastic "kick panels".

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'95 2500 SLT 5 speed 4x4

 

[Joe G.]

Don't forget the cargo light. What happens is that if it leaks it runs around the window so the water comes down near the sides. The rear seat is on kind of a hump in the floor panel so no water by the back seat nothing gets wet in the back. It runs along the side until it gets to the front and then the floor mats get wet. The gasget is kind of chinsy. Fortunatly it's easy to replace and the gasget is cheap.

[This message has been edited by Joe G. (edited 05-26-2001). ]

 

[Missouri Mule]

KDRABIK,
Get your water hose out. Pull flooring out of way. Start low and work up on areas that water could come in thru. Hold hose/water in area for a minute or two to let water have chance to reach final deatination. If you have extra pair of eyes helping it helps out.
I have found the leak many times using this method.
On my Mule I had rear window seal leak. (no sliding window).



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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[KDRABIK]

Thanks to all for the helpfull responses. After trying myself, I took the truck to the local dealer for the professionals to solve. It just so happened to be the rear slider. The seal around it was bad--the dealership was Wayland Chrysler/Dodge, in Wayland, MI. I recommend these guys to anyone! Professional, courteous, and willing to go the extra mile. I dealt with Calvin most of the time, who just so happens to be a TDR member himself. I will still re-do the gasket around the cargo light, and maybe check the seals on my clearance lamps. Again thanks to everyone that responded, and thanks to the TDR!