Oct 22, 2015, 06:30 PM
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The infamous WATER LEAK
Cut & Paste Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13,322
From: NW Arkansas
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2
From: ohio
Same thing
I have an '03 convertible and it poured rain the other night. The next morning I noticed the carpet behind the back seat was soaked. I went to work and when I came home I decided to check out the trunk and sure enough the carpet in the trunk was wet too. Then I pulled the backseat out and noticed water down there too. I let everything dry out and just for the heck of it took my garden hose and drenched my car and noticed water leaking down onto the floorboard under the back seat which I still had removed. I did not see any water in the trunk though. I've read all these messages and it seems I've figured out that the seal on the right 1/4 window is not sealed completely and water is running down the door and leaking onto the floor. But, why is water leaking into the trunk? I have yet to locate the source of this leak. I called an upholtery specialist and they think the rain gutter may either be down or clogged. I never even heard of this. Is this true. Anybody else also have water in the trunk and found a fix?
Cut & Paste Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13,322
From: NW Arkansas
Goto the automatic carwash that sprays the soap first.
Let the soap spray with your blower on full speed with
the recerc door open essentially pressurizing the cabin.
Watch for telltale signs of bubbles forming around the plastic
A-Pillar window trim. Bubbles indicate places where the
increased static pressure inside the cabin is trying to
escape. It should escape thru the exit vents in the trunk
by the wheel wells. You can plug those vents with towels
before the test for increased leak finding results.
Works like a charm. This can also be done at home with
some dishsoap in a spray bottle but the technique was
discovered in the car wash.
It really finds thems leaks.
Actually fixing the leaks is a whole new problem.
Let the soap spray with your blower on full speed with
the recerc door open essentially pressurizing the cabin.
Watch for telltale signs of bubbles forming around the plastic
A-Pillar window trim. Bubbles indicate places where the
increased static pressure inside the cabin is trying to
escape. It should escape thru the exit vents in the trunk
by the wheel wells. You can plug those vents with towels
before the test for increased leak finding results.
Works like a charm. This can also be done at home with
some dishsoap in a spray bottle but the technique was
discovered in the car wash.
It really finds thems leaks.
Actually fixing the leaks is a whole new problem.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,411
From: Southeast Virginia
I have an '03 convertible and it poured rain the other night. The next morning I noticed the carpet behind the back seat was soaked. I went to work and when I came home I decided to check out the trunk and sure enough the carpet in the trunk was wet too. Then I pulled the backseat out and noticed water down there too. I let everything dry out and just for the heck of it took my garden hose and drenched my car and noticed water leaking down onto the floorboard under the back seat which I still had removed. I did not see any water in the trunk though. I've read all these messages and it seems I've figured out that the seal on the right 1/4 window is not sealed completely and water is running down the door and leaking onto the floor. But, why is water leaking into the trunk? I have yet to locate the source of this leak. I called an upholtery specialist and they think the rain gutter may either be down or clogged. I never even heard of this. Is this true. Anybody else also have water in the trunk and found a fix?
https://mustangforums.com/forum/4-6-modular-mustang-7/
That's for Mustangs 1999-2004.
This 4.0 forum is the current S197 Mustang 2005-2009.
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 100
From: Louisville
Well, it just got done pouring down in Louisville, and I'm gong to lunch and I look over and see some water on my "paper" floor mats that I have over top of my Mustang ones. It wasn't very much, looked like maybe an ounce, possibly two, but I'm still not very happy. I just got the car brand new 3 weeks ago. I hope it was just a freak thing, but after looking on the net I'm sure it's not.
I don't think mine is from the cowl area by where the water was (it was right on the "corner" of the A pillar and where the kick panel is). My guess is it's leaking from somewhere in the A pillar, the passenger window, or possibly the windshield (?). I guess I'll have to do the water hose test when the weather gets better, or take it to the dealer.
I don't think mine is from the cowl area by where the water was (it was right on the "corner" of the A pillar and where the kick panel is). My guess is it's leaking from somewhere in the A pillar, the passenger window, or possibly the windshield (?). I guess I'll have to do the water hose test when the weather gets better, or take it to the dealer.
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1
From: IL
I had this same problem, and the fix is easy. The source is a poor design by Ford.
Remove the plastic cowl beneath the windshield wipers--should be a few screws. You will see a cavity stretching to about even with the floor of the cabin, but which is an empty void between the engine compartment firewall and the back of the dashboard/passenger compartment. At the very bottom of this void are a bunch of drainage holes which get plugged should debris (from trees, in my case) make it through the drainage holes in the cowl. You may see standing water in this space; if it rises to the air vent level, it pours into the footwell of the front passenger side. For me, this resulted in a steady stream of water lilke a waterfall pouring into my car.
Clean the drainage holes and try to avoid parking under trees that drop debris on your car (good luck there!). If you are industrious, the obvious fix would be a fine mesh on the underside of the cowl to further prevent debris from making it to the drain holes, and (if possible) making the drain holes even bigger. I heard one guy cut the bottom of this cavity out altogether.
If you will excuse me, I have to go work on water that has collected in the front of my back right fender....gotta love Ford designs!
Remove the plastic cowl beneath the windshield wipers--should be a few screws. You will see a cavity stretching to about even with the floor of the cabin, but which is an empty void between the engine compartment firewall and the back of the dashboard/passenger compartment. At the very bottom of this void are a bunch of drainage holes which get plugged should debris (from trees, in my case) make it through the drainage holes in the cowl. You may see standing water in this space; if it rises to the air vent level, it pours into the footwell of the front passenger side. For me, this resulted in a steady stream of water lilke a waterfall pouring into my car.
Clean the drainage holes and try to avoid parking under trees that drop debris on your car (good luck there!). If you are industrious, the obvious fix would be a fine mesh on the underside of the cowl to further prevent debris from making it to the drain holes, and (if possible) making the drain holes even bigger. I heard one guy cut the bottom of this cavity out altogether.
If you will excuse me, I have to go work on water that has collected in the front of my back right fender....gotta love Ford designs!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
From: Maryland
I had this same problem, and the fix is easy. The source is a poor design by Ford.
Remove the plastic cowl beneath the windshield wipers--should be a few screws. You will see a cavity stretching to about even with the floor of the cabin, but which is an empty void between the engine compartment firewall and the back of the dashboard/passenger compartment. At the very bottom of this void are a bunch of drainage holes which get plugged should debris (from trees, in my case) make it through the drainage holes in the cowl. You may see standing water in this space; if it rises to the air vent level, it pours into the footwell of the front passenger side. For me, this resulted in a steady stream of water lilke a waterfall pouring into my car.
Clean the drainage holes and try to avoid parking under trees that drop debris on your car (good luck there!). If you are industrious, the obvious fix would be a fine mesh on the underside of the cowl to further prevent debris from making it to the drain holes, and (if possible) making the drain holes even bigger. I heard one guy cut the bottom of this cavity out altogether.
If you will excuse me, I have to go work on water that has collected in the front of my back right fender....gotta love Ford designs!
Remove the plastic cowl beneath the windshield wipers--should be a few screws. You will see a cavity stretching to about even with the floor of the cabin, but which is an empty void between the engine compartment firewall and the back of the dashboard/passenger compartment. At the very bottom of this void are a bunch of drainage holes which get plugged should debris (from trees, in my case) make it through the drainage holes in the cowl. You may see standing water in this space; if it rises to the air vent level, it pours into the footwell of the front passenger side. For me, this resulted in a steady stream of water lilke a waterfall pouring into my car.
Clean the drainage holes and try to avoid parking under trees that drop debris on your car (good luck there!). If you are industrious, the obvious fix would be a fine mesh on the underside of the cowl to further prevent debris from making it to the drain holes, and (if possible) making the drain holes even bigger. I heard one guy cut the bottom of this cavity out altogether.
If you will excuse me, I have to go work on water that has collected in the front of my back right fender....gotta love Ford designs!
