Topic: Still leaks...

[Jeffy]

So anyway, after replacing the cowl seal I thought I was good.  Light rain wasn't a problem.  Well we had a downpour that lasted all might and into the next day.  Went out to the Jeep and there is water on teh floor again.  Not nearly as bad as before though.  It wasn't pouring down my dash this time.  It looks like it may be the cowl seam as it only seemed to be leaking on the driverside and against the side of the sheet metal.  I had put some clear silicone down in the gap years ago but I think it needs to be redone with some polyurethane this time.  Who was stupid enough to design the body so there is a seam at the cowl?  They should get a sack of doorknobs.  I'll try some duct tape and see if that stops it since it's supposed to rain again soon and the poly won't have time to cure in the cold...

[neale_rs]

For a while mine was leaking through the side seem.  You might want to check that one too.

[Jeffy]

For a while mine was leaking through the side seem.  You might want to check that one too.

Oh you mean the seam above the 'Jeep'?  I'll have to check that but I think it's OK.

[neale_rs]

Yup, that one. I put a latex sealant in it.  Good luck finding the leaks, they can be tricky.

[Jeffy]

I found the leak today.  It's the damn cowl seal!  So now I need to take the grill off and make sure the drain is clear.  I don't really have the time to take the whole dash apart to put in a new seal.

[FourbangerYJ]

I found the leak today.  It's the damn cowl seal!  So now I need to take the grill off and make sure the drain is clear.  I don't really have the time to take the whole dash apart to put in a new seal.

At least you found it!

[Jeffy]

At least you found it!

Yeah, since I don't have as much carpet it was easy to spot dribbling down the firewall.  Since I just replaced the Cowl seal, it had to be the HVAC cowl seal.

[Jeffy]

Ugh!  I took the grill off and what did I find.  Nothing...  Well, that's not entirely true.  The drain works fine.  What I did discover is that there is a second vent!  So when it rains really hard water floods the box and then makes it way into the cab through the driverside vent.  What a stupid design!  There is no catch can or drain after the flap.  It just dumps onto the floor from there.  So when I'm not driving, there is no pressure against the flap closing it.  You can clearly see the gap it leaves.  I'm not sure if there is a tension spring for it although I can see two cables controlling it.  The one on the right goes to the lever while there is an unknown cable going to the right someplace.  I'll have to check a FSM and see where that one goes...  It all else fails I might have to buy a cowl scoop or maybe make a small duct for it.

As a quick fix I used some 3M molding tape to keep the flap closed at the bottom.

[neale_rs]

Mine used to leak through the threads of the screws that hold the vent gril on.  Some latex sealant on the threads fixed that problem.  The driver side vent on mine also stays a bit open but it hasn't caused any problems so far.

[Jeffy]

Mine used to leak through the threads of the screws that hold the vent gril on.  Some latex sealant on the threads fixed that problem.  The driver side vent on mine also stays a bit open but it hasn't caused any problems so far.

On the first clear day, I spend a good hour pouring water over the cowl.  It definitely splashes inside when water starts to back up.  It always happens after a big storm and not a small one.  This also makes sense why the back of the gauges were drenched from the splattering.  Although the cowl seal didn't help any as it was pretty crusty and needed replacing long ago.

**edit

I checked the FSM and it looks like the cable that's on the right goes to the vent door on the passenger side.  The one on the left I guess takes a turn somewhere and goes back right, to the lever...

[Jeffy]

Thought of an idea on what to do.  Make a plate that covers the opening some.  The vent isn't really that useful since it's only 2.5x4" opening.  Maybe reduce it to 1.75"...

[drunkencityworker]

I fought the fight then realized its prob a jeep thing and pulled drain plugs

[Jeffy]

I fought the fight then realized its prob a jeep thing and pulled drain plugs

I'd rather not have water running down the backside of my dash though.  FYI: stock dashes aren't painted on the backside and rust easily.  Also the gauges take a pretty big beating even though they still work.  If you drive in water over the hood, I'd recommend sealing off the vent completely.  I might eventually get a cowl scoop as well.

[dwtaylorpdx]

When I take the grill off my 94 there is a plastic "bucket" thing in there, it catches the water and funnels it to the drain. It got out of place once and I had water all over...

Dave

[Jeffy]

When I take the grill off my 94 there is a plastic "bucket" thing in there, it catches the water and funnels it to the drain. It got out of place once and I had water all over...

Dave

The 'bucket's is what I'm calling the trough.  Mine drains fine.  At least it seems to be from that small opening.  Strange that the rubber down pipe is HUGE in comparison to the opening.  When it rains really hard here and the Jeep is sitting, is when it leaks.  I assed sn aluminum plate which covers the lower half of the opening to the driverside and used 3M molding tape to attach it.  It's semi-perminant.  If I made it taller the water would just drain into the passenger side.  I saw the vacuum controlled airdam but it was in the up position.  I'm not sure if it's stuck or just left in the up position since the last time I drove it.I usually leave the heater on if it was running the time before.  Maybe I should make sure everything is off so the air dam closes.