Water intrusion; soaked carpet

[JRihani]

We had a real gully washer of a day in central Indiana yesterday. I opened the driver’s side door of my 1996 quad cab and the carpet just inside the door jamb and around the base of the seat was soaked.

Is there a common culprit in terms of seals where I should start looking and replacing? I didn’t see any obvious paths of water down interior panels.

No water on the passenger side.

 

[Michaelsloft]

We had a real gully washer of a day in central Indiana yesterday. I opened the driver’s side door of my 1996 quad cab and the carpet just inside the door jamb and around the base of the seat was soaked.

Is there a common culprit in terms of seals where I should start looking and replacing? I didn’t see any obvious paths of water down interior panels.

No water on the passenger side.

I would recommend looking very carefully around the windshield seal. Top corners can be a source for water intrusion.

 

[dieselshadow]

I’ve had the third brake light and rear window weep. It then goes behind the trim and down into the floor pan.

 

[JRihani]

Thanks guys; I’ll start there. I think it’s at least the original windshield glass, so that might be it.

 

[Michaelsloft]

Thanks guys; I’ll start there. I think it’s at least the original windshield glass, so that might be it.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MSR4121?keywordInput=windshield+sealant
If you locate any gaps potential areas of intrusion the NAPA product above works well.

 

[BigPapa]

I opened the driver’s side door of my 1996 quad cab and the carpet just inside the door jamb and around the base of the seat was soaked.

Is it a ‘96 or is it a Quad Cab? Can’t be both.

 

[JRihani]

Habit from when I had my ‘02.

It’s a ‘96 CLUB cab.

 

[BigPapa]

I asked because I have had the seal where the doors meet on my QC leak. On my RC ‘95, the only leak I had was the 3rd brake light.

 

[JRihani]

Yeah, I had a 2002 in 2005 - no problems. My 1996 in 2019...I’m not surprised that there’s a leak! I’ll check the third brake light, for sure. Thanks!

 

[Joe Mc]

My bet is seal at 3rd brake light. I used plumbers putty = remove third light, roll putty into a spaghetti like length, apply behind rim of light and place back on roof, secure secrets and remove excess with a damp cloth. Or you might be able to find a new seal. Could also use Permatex gasket maker.

 

[copperjohn]

Do you have a sunroof ?? If so open it and check the drains ..each side towards front of vehicle ..blow out with a blowgun and a short piece of solid brake line attached to the gun ...NO MORE THAN 6-8 PSI ..or you will dislodge the drain tubes from their fittings ..the water ..if these are blocked will run down the inside of the windshield pillar and puddle on the floor ..if you have an 09 like me ..it will drop or run out of the pillar handle bolt holes ...good luck

 

[Joe Mc]

Do you have a sunroof ?? If so open it and check the drains ..each side towards front of vehicle ..blow out with a blowgun and a short piece of solid brake line attached to the gun ...NO MORE THAN 6-8 PSI ..or you will dislodge the drain tubes from their fittings ..the water ..if these are blocked will run down the inside of the windshield pillar and puddle on the floor ..if you have an 09 like me ..it will drop or run out of the pillar handle bolt holes ...good luck

His post specified a "96"... Good info you provided though. I'm sticking with 3rd brake light not sealed. "Unless" he has clearance lighting on roof...

 

[sslechta]

We had a real gully washer of a day in central Indiana yesterday. I opened the driver’s side door of my 1996 quad cab and the carpet just inside the door jamb and around the base of the seat was soaked.

Is there a common culprit in terms of seals where I should start looking and replacing? I didn’t see any obvious paths of water down interior panels.

No water on the passenger side.

Do you have a sliding rear window (I'm not sure what was available in '96)? I have had water leak from the rear window due to the drains being clogged. When it did that the water ended up on the passenger side front floor board, but I think it would flow to the driver's side just as easily depending on any slant (off from level) where the truck is parked when the leak occurred. The water drains down the back cab wall and under the carpet until it reaches the low spot.

 

[Solar1]

Check your floor pans and seams.
I have a 96 ext cab. I found the source of my water leaks by pulling the seats and carpeting a 5 years ago. Floor pan were rotted out something terrible.

I found a southern truck by chance in my local salvage yard and cut out 75% of the floor in order to have enough good metal to repair my floor. I drill out every factory weld and welded it back up nice and tight using seam sealer and painting the under side like there was no tomorrow. If the car companies would just bother to put a little paint underneath, the floors might just last as long as our car payments.

Im happy to say that the floor repairs are still tight and dry 5 years later.

I do need to say that I live in Michigan, so as most of you know, rust rules.

I should also note the I have repaired the floors in two other 2nd gen rams ('01's) exact same issue.

Added note: as mentioned in a previous post, check the windshield; 10 years ago at the time of my third windshield, we found the top corner areas had some small rot thru that required repair.

 

[GerryDrake]

If you have marker lights, put plumbers putty over the screw heads. Solved my leak...