2017 Water Leaks

[star-art]

PS If the leak was coming from a body opening weatherstrip, just because they replaced the seals doesn't mean they fixed the problem. Like I described in an earlier post, the weatherstrip has to be evenly and thoroughly "pinched" in place all around the perimeter of the opening. If they fail to do this, it can potentially let water in at that location -- even with a brand new weatherstrip.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Roof rack. Friend had a similar problem in the 16' and I told him to check the roof rack. Silicone around the rack and no problem anymore. He just got a 19 and loves it.

 

[Fedup]

Hi, I know this post is older but I have a 2018 with a similar issue. The expedition is a 2018 with 7900 miles on it and is five months old. After a rain storm, the drivers side floor was SOAKED. Water poured out for minutes after opening the door. The dealership has the truck currently and "thinks" they fixed the problem by shaving insulation and drilling new drain holes. I'm worried about rust and mold in the future. Especially if this problem is not actually rectified as there is no true test until it rains. Even the auto body shop is not full convinced it's fixed.

 

[star-art]

'18+ are likely to be different issues than '17 or older unless it's a moonroof leak. We just discovered a leak in our '18 and think it's from the moonroof.

 

[Fedup]

'18+ are likely to be different issues than '17 or older unless it's a moonroof leak. We just discovered a leak in our '18 and think it's from the moonroof.

The first thing they checked was the moon roof and stated it wasn't that. They were disappointed, I guess that would've been the easiest fix?

 

[star-art]

Yes, in general the most likely source of leaks is a plugged drain tube (there are four of them) coming from the moonroof. Did water get into your door and then into the interior? If so, then look for plugged drain holes in the bottom of the door. If water got into the interior, the first thing I'd check is the moonroof drain tubes, then carefully examine the weatherstripping around the door. I don't know off the top of my head how the 2018 is installed, but for 2017 and older remove the weatherstripping and check that it's evenly "pinched" so that it grips the metal pinch rail around the door opening without any loose spots. Carefully reinstall, making sure it's firmly in place all around. Any areas where it fails to "grab" could allow for a leak.

Finally, also be aware that water can get in somewhere and travel before it's spotted, so the leak might not be anywhere near where you think it is. For my 2009 the headliner was made from plastic and the water was running down the back side and then into a trim molding so the leak was nowhere near where we spotted the water!

 

[Langer]

So I think I finally tracked down my water leak that I posted about a few months back. It looks to be leaking in through the firewall that the large gauge wire that goes from the battery in the engine bay, to the fuse box inside the cabin. I pulled the boot out and was able to confirm it using a garden hose spraying down my windshield. I tried to put it back in making sure it was sealed all the way around, and added some caulk for good measure. It passed my garden hose test, hopefully it holds up to a heavy rain.





Maybe this will help get anyone with a similar non sunroof leak get headed in the right direction.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

So I think I finally tracked down my water leak that I posted about a few months back. It looks to be leaking in through the firewall that the large gauge wire that goes from the battery in the engine bay, to the fuse box inside the cabin. I pulled the boot out and was able to confirm it using a garden hose spraying down my windshield. I tried to put it back in making sure it was sealed all the way around, and added some caulk for good measure. It passed my garden hose test, hopefully it holds up to a heavy rain.

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Maybe this will help get anyone with a similar non sunroof leak get headed in the right direction.

I have a 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 - purchased new. I will check this location to ensure the grommet is seated. Thank you.

Do you think the boot (grommet) was defective, or improperly installed at the factory?

 

[Langer]

@99WhiteC5Coupe I’m really not sure. It didn’t look like anything was wrong with it, but was very evident water was dripping in through it when I tested. I tried to reseat it as best I could, it’s a tight space, wasn’t fun trying to add the extra sealant.

 

[ynpmoose]

My 16 had a leak from the sat radio antenna. My old Excursion leaked through the roof rack bolt holes. The antenna leak dripped out by the fuse box on the passenger floorboard.

 

[Langer]

Just ran it through a car wash, so far, so good!

 

[Langer]

Back to the drawing board. I still have some leaking. I got this 2017 XLT with about 50000 miles in January that I’ve been trying to track down a water leak, thought I had it, then found it to still be around. I’ve had water leak in through the firewall (I think) onto the passenger side floor below and near the blower. I added silicone to both the grommet (thought it was through there, at first, maybe it was) that has all the heavy duty wiring going to the fuse box, and what looks like would be the heater (not really sure if it is). Still having an issue. I removed the blower motor because it looked like it was dripping from it and there was some water in there. About at wits end with it, though. I’ve assumed because of the mileage it’s out of warranty for something like this, maybe I should try the dealer anyway. Thanks in advanced with any help.

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[HawkX66]

Back to the drawing board. I still have some leaking. I got this 2017 XLT with about 50000 miles in January that I’ve been trying to track down a water leak, thought I had it, then found it to still be around. I’ve had water leak in through the firewall (I think) onto the passenger side floor below and near the blower. I added silicone to both the grommet (thought it was through there, at first, maybe it was) that has all the heavy duty wiring going to the fuse box, and what looks like would be the heater (not really sure if it is). Still having an issue. I removed the blower motor because it looked like it was dripping from it and there was some water in there. About at wits end with it, though. I’ve assumed because of the mileage it’s out of warranty for something like this, maybe I should try the dealer anyway. Thanks in advanced with any help.

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That really sux. The places in your picture are very doubtful to be the problem. They're under your hood and barely get splashed in a torrential down pour if ever. I'd be looking at your heater core. Are you sure it's just water or does it feel a little greasy/oily when you touch it?
How is your a/c drain? Are you sure the condensation is making it out where it should?

 

[Langer]

That really sux. The places in your picture are very doubtful to be the problem. They're under your hood and barely get splashed in a torrential down pour if ever. I'd be looking at your heater core. Are you sure it's just water or does it feel a little greasy/oily when you touch it?
How is your a/c drain? Are you sure the condensation is making it out where it should?

It’s only after a heavy rain or when I have a hose run over the windshield, I’ve never noted that it was wet after just running the vehicle around, so I have my doubts about the heater core, but I’ve heard others mention it, so I guess that’s the next avenue to explore. I’m about as far as I can/am willing to go as far as tearing it apart. ‍

 

[HawkX66]

It’s only after a heavy rain or when I have a hose run over the windshield, I’ve never noted that it was wet after just running the vehicle around, so I have my doubts about the heater core, but I’ve heard others mention it, so I guess that’s the next avenue to explore. I’m about as far as I can/am willing to go as far as tearing it apart. ‍

Have you had someone spray your windshield hard/jet stream around the edge slowly and you watch for the leaking inside? Heater core is easy to tell if you're willing to touch the drip and taste it... Honestly though you'll feel the difference between water and antifreeze if it's a heater core and I doubt you'd spring a leak in it this early. Hard to tell though. Good luck.

 

[Commodore]

Well, after 34+K miles, I just had water pour out of the two overhead vents above the second row seats as well (2017 Expedition EL Limited). It was right after a heavy rain storm about 5 days while it was parked on the driveway. As soon as my wife started backing up, water poured out. Definitely some pooling issues. I just pulled it into the garage after another big rain storm and no sign of any pooling. I stuck my fingers through the vent and nothing damp was felt - dry to the bone. I'm sure with that info, the dealership is not going to be able to "replicate it", which means I'd be out of my car for several days with no real fix. I am still going to call them to ask their opinion. You know darn well that Ford has a note in their internal database system that service managers can access. It's whether or not they want to share this known problem and have to eat the cost of covering the maintenance if the vehicle is still under warranty - like mine is for only another 1500 miles! I'll let you all know what my local dealership tells me...

 

[Commodore]

More to follow...

 

[Langer]

Well, after 34+K miles, I just had water pour out of the two overhead vents above the second row seats as well (2017 Expedition EL Limited). It was right after a heavy rain storm about 5 days while it was parked on the driveway. As soon as my wife started backing up, water poured out. Definitely some pooling issues. I just pulled it into the garage after another big rain storm and no sign of any pooling. I stuck my fingers through the vent and nothing damp was felt - dry to the bone. I'm sure with that info, the dealership is not going to be able to "replicate it", which means I'd be out of my car for several days with no real fix. I am still going to call them to ask their opinion. You know darn well that Ford has a note in their internal database system that service managers can access. It's whether or not they want to share this known problem and have to eat the cost of covering the maintenance if the vehicle is still under warranty - like mine is for only another 1500 miles! I'll let you all know what my local dealership tells me...

My understanding of that issue is that it almost certainly requires the headliner to be pulled down/out to locate the true source. Easy location to investigate would be antenna, roof racks, etc. good luck!

 

[762mm]

Water pouring into the vehicle is a real b*tch... I've had the same issue on my old Explorer. I resealed all the roof racks, bolts, windshield gasket, etc... and still water would pour in directly over the overhead console. But only sometimes, as some rain storms it was dry as a bone. It was driving me f*****g nuts!

As for Expeditions, a car evaluator I spoke to recently told me that the Expedition bodies are built to different specs at the factory depending on the trim, with the SSV being the lowest spec of them all (my model). Apparently the SSV's have poor undercarriage welds and are notorious for water / debris infiltration. Mine has sand and dust in the rear quarter panels where the fuel pump reset switch is, indicating this to be true. I haven't seen any water on the floor, though.

So, it is possible that the Ford factory took some SSV bodies they had lying around to build other trims, resulting in the water infiltration some people here seem to have...?


Anywho, this is also the reason why I refuse to own a vehicle with a sunroof : 1 part of actual use for 10 parts of trouble!

 

[Commodore]

Well, as anticipated, the dealer shop could not replicate the leak. They said they put the vehicle under the "shower" for almost 5 hours and there was no indication of any leak. The pulled the interior overhead down and did note a loose luggage rack mount, so they tightened that. Good thing is that is cost me ZERO as I brought it in with 35,550 miles on it - just in time before my 36K Mile warranty expired. They also put a note in my record, so if it happens again, I should be covered event if it's after my warranty expires.