Leak when raining...beneath dash by brake release

[bronsonb]

I've dealt with rainwater getting into my Expedition before. It almost ALWAYS was due to the sunroof drain lines being clogged. I'd blow them out, and all would be well.

It's happening again, but this time the water is not coming in at the roof but from right below the parking brake release. I confirmed the sunroof drain line was clear (I could get colored water to flow through it).

I am thinking the water is coming in from either around the door seal or the windshield. Any ideas? I plan to explore some more with water and food coloring, but I find it odd that the water is migrating down to behind the parking brake release.

 

[John Christopher]

I hope you find the leak, they can be difficult. I had a 97 GMC Yukon that leaked from behind the dash on the passenger side getting the flood mat wet. I tried everything but couldn't find or stop the leak. I ultimately pulled back the carpet and painted the floor to avoid rust. Then drilled a few small holes in the floor to let the water drain to the street. I put 2 thin lines of caulk to channel the water to the holes. Then I covered it with a plastic sheet and put the carpet back. Believe it or not it worked and the rug never got wet again. You couldn't even tell it was there. Thought I would share just in case. Good Luck.

 

[bronsonb]

You know, that's a good idea if I can't find the leak. I like how you think! The water is already gathering under the plastic panel that covers the door sill. I could potentially drill a small hole there to get the water out.

If I could park the car in my garage all the time, it wouldn't be an issue. But this is really the "lumber hauler, road trip" car. Paid it off right when we bought her used, and she's been a workhorse ever sense. Don't drive her as much as I used to, so she's usually on the back parking pad covered in a car cover. I just can't part with it. I need a truck too many times in a year, and this one just costs me tags, insurance, and a little gas.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

You know, that's a good idea if I can't find the leak. I like how you think! The water is already gathering under the plastic panel that covers the door sill. I could potentially drill a small hole there to get the water out.

If I could park the car in my garage all the time, it wouldn't be an issue. But this is really the "lumber hauler, road trip" car. Paid it off right when we bought her used, and she's been a workhorse ever sense. Don't drive her as much as I used to, so she's usually on the back parking pad covered in a car cover. I just can't part with it. I need a truck too many times in a year, and this one just costs me tags, insurance, and a little gas.

If the leak is on the door sill, it may be coming from the door itself. Make sure that the door drains are open. Also don't drill into the sill there is a ton of wires in there. I have that problem on my 17 when it rains very hard. I ran a thin copper wire into the drains on either end and I haven't noticed it since then.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I've dealt with rainwater getting into my Expedition before. It almost ALWAYS was due to the sunroof drain lines being clogged. I'd blow them out, and all would be well.

It's happening again, but this time the water is not coming in at the roof but from right below the parking brake release. I confirmed the sunroof drain line was clear (I could get colored water to flow through it).

I am thinking the water is coming in from either around the door seal or the windshield. Any ideas? I plan to explore some more with water and food coloring, but I find it odd that the water is migrating down to behind the parking brake release.

One area to check is the rubber accordion-style conduit that runs between the LF door and the A pillar (by the door hinges).

The conduit is a press-fit into the door and A pillar, and if dislodged or not a tight seal, it can leak water running down the A pillar, into the interior (near the LF door scuff panel). If the conduit is torn, water can enter and flow into the LF footwell. Inspect the conduit for tears or rips.

Squeeze the rubber conduit where it attaches to the A pillar and see if it is firmly seated (and not dislodged). There may be dirt and debris buildup under the conduit lip, which would permit water entry into the LF footwell.

 

[Hamfisted]

If the lower edge windshield support clip breaks off (age... fatigue ...) it will leave a hole at the lower corner of the windshield, right above the brake release. You have to remove the windshield cowling to inspect the area. If you find the clip broken or missing use some sealant to seal the hole. You'll probably break the retaining clips for the cowling but you can buy replacement clips on Amazon. You can also do some investigating by laying on the driver's floor and looking up under the dash while someone else runs a water hose in the suspected area. You might be able to actually see where it's coming in from.


-Mike

 

[Flexpedition]

Home Depot rents a very inexpensive powerful carpet dryer fan. Place one inside the truck and turn it on. Mix some very soapy water and brush it onto the truck from the top down. Bubbles = troubles.

 

[Wolf]

I have this issue in my truck. If you have a sunroof, check the drain on the driver side. Mine is plugged up and that overflows into the pillar, then down to the floor. Took out my blinker relay this summer.

Hope that helps.

 

[Wolf]

I had an id10t error when I wrote my last post... Sorry about that...

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I had an id10t error when I wrote my last post... Sorry about that...

It get's worse as you get older.

 

[Iknfixit]

We had a 2011. Same thing and place. is the vehicle parked at a slight slope towards the passenger side? Ours would only do it at my wife’s work in short heavy rain storm and I could never simulate in my driveway with water hose. Finally hooked up a hose and drug it across parking lot to the spot and ran water across the entire door and saw it dribbling from the bottom of door panel and videoed. Took it to dealership and showed them the video and they tried to no avail to duplicate with door panel off. I made the technician put a jack under the left side of the vehicle to simulate a 3 inch lift/slope and it showed up coming out of the plastic sheet behind the door panel around an opening.
The door drain worked well and the Expy was only a year or two old. Somehow with the slight slope there was enough water seeping in around the bottom window seals and trailing down the inner panel of the door and dripping, running the threshold and showing under the parking brake. After that trip to the dealer they sealed a little on the plastic sheet behind the door panel and it never did it again. Ended up trading it for a 2016 with the ecoboost The wife loved the one in my truck and had to have the power.

 

[bronsonb]

If the lower edge windshield support clip breaks off (age... fatigue ...) it will leave a hole at the lower corner of the windshield, right above the brake release. You have to remove the windshield cowling to inspect the area. If you find the clip broken or missing use some sealant to seal the hole. You'll probably break the retaining clips for the cowling but you can buy replacement clips on Amazon. You can also do some investigating by laying on the driver's floor and looking up under the dash while someone else runs a water hose in the suspected area. You might be able to actually see where it's coming in from.


-Mike

Thanks Mike! I wonder if that is the cause. I had the windshield replaced last year. No cracks, but it was pitted after 12 years of driving. I removed the cowling a couple of years ago to fix a break in the washer fluid line that led to the windshield sprayers. I had purchased some of the retaining clips for the cowling, but I could never get the cowling and the clip to unite without breaking the clip.

I'll order some more, remove the cowling, clean all of that out and look for that hole you mention. I appreciate the advice!

 

[bronsonb]

We had a 2011. Same thing and place. is the vehicle parked at a slight slope towards the passenger side? Ours would only do it at my wife’s work in short heavy rain storm and I could never simulate in my driveway with water hose. Finally hooked up a hose and drug it across parking lot to the spot and ran water across the entire door and saw it dribbling from the bottom of door panel and videoed. Took it to dealership and showed them the video and they tried to no avail to duplicate with door panel off. I made the technician put a jack under the left side of the vehicle to simulate a 3 inch lift/slope and it showed up coming out of the plastic sheet behind the door panel around an opening.
The door drain worked well and the Expy was only a year or two old. Somehow with the slight slope there was enough water seeping in around the bottom window seals and trailing down the inner panel of the door and dripping, running the threshold and showing under the parking brake. After that trip to the dealer they sealed a little on the plastic sheet behind the door panel and it never did it again. Ended up trading it for a 2016 with the ecoboost The wife loved the one in my truck and had to have the power.

I used to have that problem at our last house. I parked the Expy on a slope nose pointing down, and that was when the first leaks ever occurred. Those turned out to be due to a clogged sunroof drain, and I ended up blowing that drain out with compressed air about once every 18 months or so.

Now it's parked on a flat surface but under trees. I keep a cover on it most of the time, but I know dust can get through and clog that drain. This time, I verified the drain was free, so the issue isn't with the sunroof (for once). I am going to try to do some more investigating this weekend or next. It's such a bummer because otherwise, this car has been a tank. You can't beat it down!

 

[bronsonb]

I have this issue in my truck. If you have a sunroof, check the drain on the driver side. Mine is plugged up and that overflows into the pillar, then down to the floor. Took out my blinker relay this summer.

Hope that helps.

Hi Wolf! Yes, the clogged sunroof drain . I am quite familiar with THAT. Have to clean that out about once a year. She used to be garaged but is now parked outside, so that makes it worse, even with a car cover. Maybe I should just cover her with a HUGE plastic tarp???

This time, I know the leak isn't from a clogged sunroof drain as I've verified it's open. I was concerned the drain tube MIGHT be leaking, but when I ran colored water through it, no colored water ended up INSIDE the car (only below). Someone else suggested there's a clip below the windshield and under the cowl that might be broken and allowing water to enter. I am planning to check that this weekend.

Thanks for the info. I know misery loves company, so I am glad to know I am not the only Expy owner who deals with a clogged sunroof drain. This SUV has been such a great vehicle that I can forgive a clogged drain once a year!

 

[bronsonb]

One area to check is the rubber accordion-style conduit that runs between the LF door and the A pillar (by the door hinges).

The conduit is a press-fit into the door and A pillar, and if dislodged or not a tight seal, it can leak water running down the A pillar, into the interior (near the LF door scuff panel). If the conduit is torn, water can enter and flow into the LF footwell. Inspect the conduit for tears or rips.

Squeeze the rubber conduit where it attaches to the A pillar and see if it is firmly seated (and not dislodged). There may be dirt and debris buildup under the conduit lip, which would permit water entry into the LF footwell.

Thanks for the tip. I'll give that a check. I've removed the weather stripping in a few spots and have been amazed at the amount of gunk behind them...it's just dirt working it's way in over the past 13 years!