Rain Leak Into Cabin

[Steve F]

The past two rainstorms I've found puddling in my '06 GT. I haven't been in it to witness where it's coming from. I don't have a sunroof. Is there a common area to look for a problem? It's worse on the passenger side than driver. Thanks!

 

[Bibi2k]

Clean the cowl drain on the passenger side. It's very common in the S197 . Just remove the dead leaves and change your filter.

 

[stkjock]

yes, common issue, often discussed, run a search you'll see many threads... cowl drains...

check your SJB as well for water.

 

[DieHarder]

The past two rainstorms I've found puddling in my '06 GT. I haven't been in it to witness where it's coming from. I don't have a sunroof. Is there a common area to look for a problem? It's worse on the passenger side than driver. Thanks!

Second place to look at is the window seals. They're just under the trim that runs along the top of the windows on each side. If they're leaking you'll have water puddling at the front of or back of the door/s. If it's coming from the cowl drains the carpet will be wet at the very front of the foot well. Easy to replace. Here's a couple of threads on it:

Search results for query: window seals leaking

www.s197forum.com

 

[07 Boss]

Also check your electrical box in the passenger kick panel. SJB? the name eludes me. Anyways, water leakage from the cowl can lead to some corrosion and electrical issues if left unchecked Make sure its dry.

 

[Steve F]

Thank you all! I used "leak" as a key word and all that turned up was engine leaks. I'll take a look at these spots and let you know if I find the cause.

 

[ghunt81]

Apparently these things have tons of places they can leak. I had the same problem- leaking upper door seals, the matting under my carpet was soaked and that stuff never dries out. Hate to say it but you will probably have to pull the seats and center console and pull out the carpet and replace that matting, I used foam insulation on mine. It rusted a hole through my floor pan where the matting sat wet for who knows how long. If your cowl drains are clear, your upper door seals might be leaking.

Easy way to test the seals- Close the windows, turn on the fan to pressurize the cabin (make sure recirc is off) and spray soapy water along the upper trim piece above the window. I had bubbles all over the place.

Another thing that can leak is the body side of the anchors under plastic cowl trim. I replaced all those as well.

I still have water getting in somewhere, no idea where, kinda gave up on it at this point. The good thing about the foam insulation is that it doesn't hold water like the factory matting, at least.

 

[MasterofDisaster]

is not bad. I haven't taken off the cowl; I just pulled out the plug from the engine compartment side. Pics of the problem start around 30sec.

 

[Eman]

There should be a cabin filter on the passenger side, when you access that you'll see the junk that clogs the drain.

 

[86GT351]

Most common would be the cowl drains. They are rubber and get clogged with debris. Just take a pliers and remove both side drains. What happens specifically on the passenger side the drain gets clogged. Water can't drain and builds up enough and goes in through the cabin air filter box. Once inside the vehicle the box only holds so much. Ends up saturating the carpet but most importantly it will cause the SJB (Smart Junction Box) behind the passenger kick panel to get water soaked and cause some issues.

 

[asdrew]

(sorry in advance for smart @$$ response)
I had the same problem on my "06 GT convertible. Turns out I left the top down.

 

[DieHarder]

A couple of good links here if you're interested.

What have you done to your mustang today?

 

[Steve F]

Thank you all for your replies, I did some extensive reading last night. I suspect the window seals are bad and will take corrective measures but will also address the other trouble spots. I hope I've caught it before there's been damage to the floor, I'll pull the carpet to dry it too. I've had the car since new in 2006. I'm putting the in winter storage this week and will work on it there. Thanks again!

 

[Pentalab]

Most common would be the cowl drains. They are rubber and get clogged with debris. Just take a pliers and remove both side drains. What happens specifically on the passenger side the drain gets clogged. Water can't drain and builds up enough and goes in through the cabin air filter box. Once inside the vehicle the box only holds so much. Ends up saturating the carpet but most importantly it will cause the SJB (Smart Junction Box) behind the passenger kick panel to get water soaked and cause some issues.

View attachment 112189

Nailed it. When I yanked the one out on the pass side, out came a TON of water. Yanked out the one on the driver's side too. Yank em both out with hd pliers / vice grips.....then toss em.

 

[ghunt81]

Thank you all for your replies, I did some extensive reading last night. I suspect the window seals are bad and will take corrective measures but will also address the other trouble spots. I hope I've caught it before there's been damage to the floor, I'll pull the carpet to dry it too. I've had the car since new in 2006. I'm putting the in winter storage this week and will work on it there. Thanks again!

Hopefully not!

This was what happened to mine. Fortunately it was mostly in a flat section of floor and was not overly difficult to fix.

I got 2 holes rusted through my driver's side floorpan :(

Went to change the fuel filter a couple days ago, pulled the plastic cover off and found this. Rusted clear through. I'd noticed the driver's side carpet was damp last year but didn't think it was this bad, apparently the cowl panel grommets have been leaking. It soaked the pad under the carpet...

www.s197forum.com

 

[brasil]

I removed the „ rubber piece „ that sits in the lower cowl area .The piece of rubber is the bad boy when it comes to flood the cabin … The hole in the rubber piece is too small - result the water / foil mix cannot drain out