Mysterious stain on the sides of the third row

[Nytimes770]

Any idea what could have caused this? I doubt the vehicle was like this when I purchased this. I just took possession last week. This is one both sides of the third row. It appears to be water stains/spots. The seats and floor seem to be fine. It had been raining a lot last week and I drove thru some and also had it parked outside for a few hours. Could there be a leak somewhere?

 

[Randy Schmidt]

Looks like water that dried. You have to have leak...

 

[Black]

Sure the rear vents did not get left open?
Though that sure is a lot of crystallization for just rain water. The rectangular cubby is almost completely crystalized.

I would sit back there while in a car wash. Check the headliner. And the seals around the rear window.

 

[Deadman]

Sunroof?

 

[Nytimes770]

No sunroof in this car

 

[Nytimes770]

Sure the rear vents did not get left open?
Though that sure is a lot of crystallization for just rain water. The rectangular cubby is almost completely crystalized.

I would sit back there while in a car wash. Check the headliner. And the seals around the rear window.

What are you exactly referring to when you say rear vents. Do the side windows open?

 

[aggiegrad05]

What are you exactly referring to when you say rear vents. Do the side windows open?

They did on gens 1, 2, and 3. But not on 4.

 

[George R]

Could be water/soap residue left over from window tint.

 

[Black]

They did on gens 1, 2, and 3. But not on 4.

Did not realize they got rid of the rear vents.

 

[Artie]

Could be water/soap residue left over from window tint.

I’m betting this is the answer if he did, in fact, get tint in the rear. Otherwise, that’s one heck of a leak!

 

[Deadman]

If that's from tint, thats one sloppy job on the clean up. wow.

 

[TobyU]

Did not realize they got rid of the rear vents.

Me either and even though I rarely use mine, I like them. AS much as the new ones cost, you SHOULD get them.

Gotta waste all that money on keyfobs and infotainment and crap I don't want.

 

[scottdm]

Me either and even though I rarely use mine, I like them. AS much as the new ones cost, you SHOULD get them.

Gotta waste all that money on keyfobs and infotainment and crap I don't want.

I'm convinced that Ford will not offer the rear vent windows in any future vehicle after the lawsuits from the carbon monoxide poisoning issue in the Explorer. Not worth the risk in their mind I'm sure.

 

[TobyU]

I'm convinced that Ford will not offer the rear vent windows in any future vehicle after the lawsuits from the carbon monoxide poisoning issue in the Explorer. Not worth the risk in their mind I'm sure.

That sounds logical

 

[Nytimes770]

I did not tint anything yet. Waiting until it gets warmer.

The dealer told me the windows are dyed
Not tinted.

 

[JExpedition07]

I'm convinced that Ford will not offer the rear vent windows in any future vehicle after the lawsuits from the carbon monoxide poisoning issue in the Explorer. Not worth the risk in their mind I'm sure.

Did they ever figure out why all the carbon monoxide poisoning on the Explorer? I don’t think it even had rear vent windows like the Expedition.

 

[TobyU]

Did they ever figure out why all the carbon monoxide poisoning on the Explorer? I don’t think it even had rear vent windows like the Expedition.

I thought it was the exhaust exit design.

 

[scottdm]

Did they ever figure out why all the carbon monoxide poisoning on the Explorer? I don’t think it even had rear vent windows like the Expedition.

The running theory at the time was aftermarket upfitters for police vehicles were adding penetrations in the liftgate area for lights, etc and not sealing them properly. The Explorer did not have vent windows, but just saying that Ford is likely ultra conservative on this topic after the Explorer fiasco.

 

[Flexpedition]

The running theory at the time was aftermarket upfitters for police vehicles were adding penetrations in the liftgate area for lights, etc and not sealing them properly.

That, coupled with many of the offending PI Explorers having damaged/leaking exhaust components (mostly joints) from bottoming out, going over curbs, etc. I read an article about a 3rd party cage supplier, either for prisoner transport or K9 duty - their product replaced the seals on the rear doors which allowed Co2 in.


OP: Somebody once left their restaurant leftovers in the car. A few days later it was discovered.... I went overboard with the Febreze and it left a similar, shiny spot residue mainly on the plastics but nothing on the leathers. So, I wonder if your dealer maybe used a similar product, maybe one with a malfunctioning nozzle?

 

[Spaznaut]

Looks like a seat/vinyl cleaner that was over sprayed and not cleaned off because it seemed just wet but once it dried later left a residue however it is an odd pattern for a spray nozzle and there is nothing on the seats. Have you done the car wash yet?