Water on the floor, not cowl?

[Fireman255]

So it is raining here like in most places and I have water on my front floor boards. I turn a hose on the cowl vent for quite some time and no water comes out that I can see. Also don't see where the rain is coming from. The only other place I found it was arount my headliner on both A posts.

Could it still be the cowl? (hope not)

Is it my windshield?

Good news is that when I pulled the carpet I found only slight surface rust

 

[Pathfinder65]

I'd wager it's the seal around the windshield.
Dave

 

[geordie]

Yep, sound's like a leaky windshield seal..............just like mine, except I don't get much rain in AZ.

 

[mustangdave]

I agree...windshield. What makes it hard to find the exact spot is water will run a long way before it finally drips off of something.

 

[limey66]

Yup, windshield seal is favourite. Over here we have a product called 'seek 'n' seal' which you dribble round the screen and it seeks out the leak and seals it up. Either that or pull your screen - then you find the rust hole...

 

[Pathfinder65]

I've had both front and rear windshields off several times. Sealed them up really well. A leak always manages to show up somewhere along the seal I'm convinced it's engineered into the design
Dave

 

[D.Hearne]

Better check for engine coolant as well, those old heater cores are known to spring leaks when the engine's revv'd up.

 

[66StangFastback]

How old is the weather stripping all around the windows. If its old and rotten then thatll do it.

 

[65 fastback]

First you need to find out where the water is coming in. There are three main areas to check for leaks in the front area of the car. You need to check all three areas separately and in order.

1. Check the cowl for leaks. Pour some water directly into the cowl, making sure not to get water around the windshield area. The water should drain out each side behind the front wheels. You can also look into the cowl area with a flashlight and a hand held mirror.

2. Check the windshield seal. Run some water around the windshield seal, making sure not to allow water to run over the door jambs and door glass. This is probably the greatest cause of leaks into the front of the car. A 35+ year old windshield seal is probably rotted and no longer weather tight. Also, if the windshield has been replaced or pulled recently, after market windshield gaskets are notorious for leaking - make sure to get the FORD seal if you replace the windshield seal.

3. Check the door jambs and door glass channel. Run water directly on the doors, especially allowing water to run down the glass and into the door itself. There are drain holes inside the doors that can get blocked.

Cover the floor boards with some newspaper (it will show even small drips of water very easily) and check after each test.

Tim

 

[mfp4073]

have also had water run down the antenna lead and into the passenger side floor board.

 

[mustangdave]

The antennae lead is a good one; I never thought about that! Also, there has to be an opening into the cowl for the motor to run the wipers (another possible leak).

 

[limey66]

The antennae lead is a good one; I never thought about that! Also, there has to be an opening into the cowl for the motor to run the wipers (another possible leak).

A good point - there is a rubber gasket between the flange and the firewall/cowl - this could be shot or missing.

 

[mfp4073]

A good point - there is a rubber gasket between the flange and the firewall/cowl - this could be shot or missing.

actually it doest really need to be there at all (but it does help). the problem is that you have to put a down loop before it goes into the car so water will not run down it and into the car....ask how I know this!

 

[limey66]

actually it doest really need to be there at all (but it does help). the problem is that you have to put a down loop before it goes into the car so water will not run down it and into the car....ask how I know this!

Not quite with you here - explain a little as my seals are both shot...

 

[mfp4073]

Not quite with you here - explain a little as my seals are both shot...

I had a problem in that my antenna wire went straight from the fender into the interiour. The water would follow it down and then inside. I solved this by making a loop or by running the wire down below the hole to the interiour and then back up to the hole, so the water would follow the wire down and drip off instead of following it to the inside of the car...kinda hard to describe, but very simple. Is thab better?

 

[limey66]

I had a problem in that my antenna wire went straight from the fender into the interiour. The water would follow it down and then inside. I solved this by making a loop or by running the wire down below the hole to the interiour and then back up to the hole, so the water would follow the wire down and drip off instead of following it to the inside of the car...kinda hard to describe, but very simple. Is thab better?

Now I'm with you - I was referring to the winshield wiper penetrations through to the cowl, not the antenna cable!!