Hi guys. I had my Fiero in the driveway, uncovered and it rained hard. The car was on a slight slant forward and toward the passenger side. The passenger floor was sopping... So I took out the carpet and the seat. There was no water on the seat, so I just don't think it was leaking from the sunroof down. I suspect it came from under the dash. But I could be wrong. It might have been a few days before I even noticed. Another reason I suspect it's coming from under the dash is that I think it's been leaking a while. I noticed more moisture on the inside of the car than usual on several occasions but wasn't sure where it was. It was not anywhere that was obvious, it wasn't coming from above, I would have noticed.
I've waited until a sunny dry day to start to test it and figure out what is going on
I ended up with more questions than answers, but maybe someone can help me.
I tested the car today, found several things. Most important first:
When I ran water down the front windshield (not on the roof) it took a while, but eventually, I did start to notice a few leaks coming down under the dash. In two places at least. I'm really unsure about how it all fits together, so I don't know where the potential leaks are. The two places were several inches apart. I suspect the windshield, but maybe I'm wrong.
The windshield was replaced by a professional company, a long time ago. I never noticed any problems for several years, so I assumed all was fine. When I discovered the leak, I took it back to them so they could do a test. It tested out fine, except, you can't SEE the bottom of the windshield during the test. They kept insisting that the windshield would leak from the top. Because of the cover that covers the air intakes for the heater, you can't see the bottom of the windshield. When I finally started working on it today, I took off that cover, and there is no seal on the bottom of the windshield. I called the store and they said this was normal. It seems like an obvious place for water to get in, but I don't really know how it's put together, so maybe it can't leak on the bottom, I don't know.
By the way... I have researched the forum, and did read about the screws that hold the cover in place. As the water ran down the windshield in my test, it was not running over the screw holes, so I don't think it was there that it was leaking.
Should I take it back to the auto glass place and insist they try to test the bottom of the windshield?
Full disclosure... I found other potential leaks as well.
1) Sunroof -- I replaced the seal around the sunroof a while ago. I know that the sunroof doesn't fit perfectly. (What happens anyway? Seem like the glass doesn't fit like it should. The Seal is new.) But, the sunroof does not leak during normal driving. It will definitely leak if you spray a hose directly at the seams... Both front and back, but during normal operation, it really doesn't seem to be problem. And I live in Oregon, so, it rains a lot. I would know. I was doubting that in a heavy rain while it's parked would be the issue, but I could be wrong.
2) I did notice that the right window was not completely up, and again, that leak was really obvious, it was on the seat and everywhere. But under normal rain (not spraying it with a hose) it seems like it seals ok. I noticed a tiny tiny little leak at the bottom of the door. I ran water down and over the passenger door for a long time, and only a tiny little amount of water seemed to get it. I just don't think that is it.
So... What do you guys think? Anyone have any experience with this?
Check coolant level. Feel/smell the wet area too. P-side floor wet can be a bad heater core. Coolant color may not be obvious but even small amount of Coolant often feels and smells.
or sump or glass has a rust hole on P-side or SR has problems.
Run water over SR. SR is make to leak some but have drains to deal w/ normal leaking. Damage Latch and/or tabs on SR glass can make bad alignment etc and won't seal.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
I know it's not the heater core... I replaced that, and I know what that smells like.
Can the windshield leak from the bottom? There is no rubber gasket, on bottom edge of windshield.... Does anyone have a pic of this so I could compare? Where in the sump would it leak... Any ideas?
I'm not sure how to remove the blower motor... I'll look for articles on this...
I'm thinking my only option is to "caulk" the bottom of the windshield (I'll have to ask the glass place what to use). So, what I gather is, maybe the windshield is not leaking, but the metal around it is. If that is the case, filling that channel with some sort of caulk should help.
The car was an Arizona car, so not much rust, but, it's always possible. Not sure what I can do in the "sumps", even if I could see anything. Drains seem OK, I did find mouse stuff in the passenger sump, so that explains some smells. I read the article on that.
If I ever take the dash out again, I could investigate further, but for now, I'll try the windsheild fix and test again.
Adding any caulk likely won't help and only make a mess trying to find actual leak.
Park so car in nose down w/ even a partly plug sump drain can cause a "leak" because sump gets all water off of the glass and most of the roof and nowhere to drain. SR problems can leak anywhere on it. Water runs out then hits floor, seat(s), or whatever in the way. Car park nose down help SR leak to hit floor w/o hitting seat.
A hose just running slowly can find most leaking. Might need a gentle spray. Hard spray may not help because can force water thru otherwise sealed areas.
P-side door glass can leak too for several reasons. If door or glass is installed wrong or has other problems, the seal won't take much effort to leak in hard rain or just washing the car.
Rats nest in the sump then need to look at the heater/ac blower resistor pack Now. Read the rest of heat/ac cleaning thread link above or search blower resistor fire.
Thanks for the help. You were probably right. I tried to have patience and did more testing. It's probably not the window.
I did take out the blower fan as you suggested and cleaned that out... It wasn't so bad, but now it's clean.
I ran water in the passenger sump. It appears there are two places it leaks. There are some sheet metal seams one near the front hood latch, and the other at the other end by the fender.
I can only assume that these are the places it leaks.
If that is the case... What is the best thing to do? Some sort of caulk? What kind?
Clean leak areas then see just how big the spots are. Clean to remove all rust and loose paint/sealer in and around the spots.
Sealing in the sump or other hidden areas... try roof mastic in roofing dept at HD etc. Is black (most times), Works on iffy surfaces and can glue and coat patches too. Some products say can use it on wet surfaces but doesn't apply here. Use heat gun or hairdrier to fully dry the water. Can get it in cans or "Caulk tubes." Either likely will need putty knife etc to work with them.
Leaks Bigger then a pin hole may need patching. Many Roof "glues" have fibers to seal small holes but may still need patching if old metal is weak.
Patches can any light gauge metal.
Coat the sump area, stick on patch, coat the whole thing. Most are water proof in minutes or less but can take days to set completely depending on temp and how much to "dry."
