Water in car

[RyanAndrew88]

I have noticed that my passenger side carpet is soaked. I puleed it up and looked under the dash at the insulation and whatnot. It is all soaked, and possible places where this is coming from. If so, could someone describe to be as to how I can eliminate this problem? Thanks.

[rixGAphx]

It prolly smells like anti-freeze.
The heater core is in that area, and frequently breaks the nipples at the heater hoses.
There's a condensation drip pan under the core, and it drains out thru the firewall and a 1/2" black rubber hose that drips onto the pavement.
If this drain hose is blocked, then the pan overflows onto the carpet.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

[RyanAndrew88]

That wasn't the problem, at least i don't think it was. Does anyone else have an idea? Its on the passenger side somewhere that it is coming in.

[NewNann]

The only way your going to find a leak is to remove your carpet, dry everything, then have someone hose the car down while you sit inside looking for where it enters the car. When you find it, dry everything again and seal the crack with an all weather silicone. Its more than likely coming in through the firewall somewhere.

[RyanAndrew88]

I found the problem. Its under the plastic piece right between the windshield and the hood. Inside there is a little fan thing and a flap that goes right into the passenger side of the car. I watched the water leak in through that flap. Now i just have to figure out how to fix it.

[gicts]

you mean the weather strip or the piece that is above the wipers and little leaves always get caught in?

[RyanAndrew88]

There is a plastic piece that goes across the whole car.It has holes for the windshield wipers and its held in by some screws.

[RyanAndrew88]

I have pictures!

Here is one of the water collecting under the carpet. There was a lot more.

[RyanAndrew88]

Here is the flap as seen from the outside (once the black plastic piece was removed)

[RyanAndrew88]

And here it is from the inside (once the glove compartments and whatnot are removed)

[ENGGUY]

Yeah I can't believe the briliant engineering from GM on this one.
No wonder they are having problems.

[RyanAndrew88]

I haven't a clue what to do other than just seal the flap shut. I did that for the time being considering rain is coing for the next 2 days. Anyone else have an idea on what I should to to keep the water out and still have the flap work?

[RedGrandAm2003]

What's the purpose of the flap? Is water even supposed to be getting there? Maybe you've got to see how the water gets to there and its leaking toward the flap, and then stop that. *Shrugs* Just a suggestion.

[RyanAndrew88]

I think the flap is for fresh air. Not sure though.

[Tommy00GT1]

I think Mike has it correctly.... find out why water is reaching the flap in the first place. Doesn't seem logical to seal that flap shut.
I would guess that water is dripping down the firewall from under the windshield wiper plastic piece.

[RyanAndrew88]

The water is coming through it. I just can't think of any good way to eliminate the problem and still keep the flap functional.

[RedGrandAm2003]

Why not use silicone cocking if its going thru that black piece. Look for black cocking and put it on the plastic piece, and carefully put it on the window and dont smear it. only apply a little bit and make sure its sealed good.

[RyanAndrew88]

Its going through the flap. Its not the black piece that is doing it. I thought of that already ;)

[Tommy00GT1]

I once had a similar leak on my old Cutlass. I had water coming in some kind of flap like yours. I finally went to a auto repair place and asked them if they had an old tire inner tube that they wanted to get rid of. Luckily, they did..... So I brought that tire inner tube home and cut a "shroud" type thing; like a tent canopy.....to keep water from dripping onto the flap. It worked great !
I made a little tent-like covering, and it kept the flap free to move yet kept the water droplets from falling onto it. I used G.E. Silicone II for adhesive to glue that shroud to the firewall.
Might sound strange, but it worked..... and a rubber inner tube will last forever, lol....

[RyanAndrew88]

I think I will see if I can make something like that. I will have some time tonight so I can take a look. Thanks!

[RedGrandAm2003]

I know what that flap is for. It lets fresh air into the interior. You know when you're using your A/C and you put the knob to "MAX" or whatever... that is supposed to close and lets all the cold AC air recirculate. :) Or like on a honda or something, where you can select the air to be recirculated because of a dead skunk or something lol.

[pokesmot]

that flap is also used in defrost mode.

the plastic door as such should be on a spring, and there should be rubber trim aorund the plastic door that seals the door shut with the spring tension.

is it stuck open?


1992 - 1995 grand ams all have a problem where the firewall rusts out and floods the car with water. When I did my car, I too thought that water was coming in form that flap, but it turned out to be a hole in the firewall.

http://www.gaownersclub.com//forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49919

[Tebore]

It's not just the 92-95s it's basically all 4th Gens. So up to 98. Good thing mine is rustproofed.

[pontiacfanatic]

Originally posted by RyanAndrew88
I haven't a clue what to do other than just seal the flap shut. I did that for the time being considering rain is coing for the next 2 days. Anyone else have an idea on what I should to to keep the water out and still have the flap work?

This is your air box.... first of all check the seal at the BOTTOM or BASE of the air box. Water tends to leak in there from poor, warped or cracked gasket material. It isn't necessarily flowing into it from the top of the vent.

If you seal it, you seal air flow into the car.

[ecks57]

i had a problem like that water was coming in from somwhere on the top part of the passenger door and slidint down the front passenger windshild piller and going by the fues panal and onto the passenger side floor

[Tyler_S]

If water is getting inside your passenger compartment, then it is more than likely possible that there is a hole or two in your firewall. That's the main thing that seperates the engine compartment and the pasenger area. If I were you I'd be pulling up the carpet and insulation for a closer look.

A common area for holes is along the bottom of the firewall, especially in the far corner on the passenger side, just behind the PCM. Pull it out and have a look. You might also want to re-seal the metal on the driver's side while everything is out.

Have a peek at my old thread.

Dear God, What a Mess (http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49157&highlight=firewall)

Hope that helps, and good luck with any repairs.

[pontiacfanatic]

Originally posted by RyanAndrew88
I found the problem. Its under the plastic piece right between the windshield and the hood. Inside there is a little fan thing and a flap that goes right into the passenger side of the car. I watched the water leak in through that flap. Now i just have to figure out how to fix it.