Passenger floor water leak - '96 express
November 2nd, 2011, 3:17 PM
#1
Passenger floor water leak - '96 express
I'm new to this forum having recently purchased a '96 express 5.7L conversion van. It's in great shape aside from a soaked passenger carpet I noticed 2 days after buying it. I've pulled out the front carpet, removed the lower trim, engine cover, black wiper motor covers at the bottom of teh windshield, and have gotten under the van, but can't figure out how to fix this. I know the water is running into one of the air vent housings behind the AC housing, but I'm not sure if there's supposed to be a drain that's clogged up.
It's really tough to see what's going on. I know it's coming in through the passenger side but it looks like it may be behind the air conditioner housing there. Anyhow, before taking apart the majority of the passenger side of my van, I was hoping someone else had experience with this and could tell what to look for or where a drain might be located. Thanks for any feedback!! - Matt
It's really tough to see what's going on. I know it's coming in through the passenger side but it looks like it may be behind the air conditioner housing there. Anyhow, before taking apart the majority of the passenger side of my van, I was hoping someone else had experience with this and could tell what to look for or where a drain might be located. Thanks for any feedback!! - Matt
November 3rd, 2011, 8:09 PM
#6
Thanks. Tried the bucket thing and its definitely coming in under the front passenger dash. I just don't know how to fix it. Does anyone know if there's supposed to be a drain under the bottom passenger window cover (black plastic thing)? That's what I'm hoping is just clogged up or something. Thanks!
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November 18th, 2011, 3:49 PM
#9
Leak Fixed. For anyone in the future that runs into this issue, here's what I found:
After removing the wiper arms and the plastic cowls at the bottom of the windshield, look to the left under the passenger side windshield and there's a rectangular hole parallel to the ground that leads to a plastic vent meant to drain away any water that gets behind the cowl.
At the bottom of the plastic vent beneath the coolant tank (you'll have to move the tank), there's a rubber outlet door that I can assume is meant to keep air from around the engine being sucked into the air conditioning. This drain/vent was completely clogged with dirt and leaves.
I took a garden hose with forceful pressure, stuck it in the rectangular hole and forced all the dirt and leaves out. If this vent is clogged, water will back up into the air intake for the AC and will run by your blower, through the evaporator (or is it condenser) and onto your passenger floor. I'm lucky my blower and evaporator weren't rusted out.
Anyhow - I hope this helps someone in the future. I'm going to check this drain at least once a year so I don't have this problem again. - Matt
After removing the wiper arms and the plastic cowls at the bottom of the windshield, look to the left under the passenger side windshield and there's a rectangular hole parallel to the ground that leads to a plastic vent meant to drain away any water that gets behind the cowl.
At the bottom of the plastic vent beneath the coolant tank (you'll have to move the tank), there's a rubber outlet door that I can assume is meant to keep air from around the engine being sucked into the air conditioning. This drain/vent was completely clogged with dirt and leaves.
I took a garden hose with forceful pressure, stuck it in the rectangular hole and forced all the dirt and leaves out. If this vent is clogged, water will back up into the air intake for the AC and will run by your blower, through the evaporator (or is it condenser) and onto your passenger floor. I'm lucky my blower and evaporator weren't rusted out.
Anyhow - I hope this helps someone in the future. I'm going to check this drain at least once a year so I don't have this problem again. - Matt
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Andiy (January 20th, 2021)
May 21st, 2016, 1:30 PM
#10
CF Active Member
water leaking from behind dash during heavy or long term rain
I'm glad someone did the leg work on this.
Can you or someone clarify some points.
- I can not think of another coolant tank but you do mean the radiator coolant right?
- The rectangular hole you forced water thru - is it the one under the cowl or the one under the coolant tank?
- Does the coolant tank have to be removed to access the rubber outlet door to remove dirt or would the forced water from above, if it is indeed from above, not blow it out? I suspect there would be some flooding in the passenger cabin until the blockage is flushed out but would be hoping the overflow is not as direct a route as the "drain" is supposed to be.
Your repose greatly appreciated ...
... I have the habit of parking and driving outside.
Can you or someone clarify some points.
- I can not think of another coolant tank but you do mean the radiator coolant right?
- The rectangular hole you forced water thru - is it the one under the cowl or the one under the coolant tank?
- Does the coolant tank have to be removed to access the rubber outlet door to remove dirt or would the forced water from above, if it is indeed from above, not blow it out? I suspect there would be some flooding in the passenger cabin until the blockage is flushed out but would be hoping the overflow is not as direct a route as the "drain" is supposed to be.
Your repose greatly appreciated ...
... I have the habit of parking and driving outside.