Water Leak Source?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by zencraps, Mar 1, 2006.

  1. zencraps

    zencraps Guest

    Just bought an '85 245 DL for $470, a project car for the eventual use
    of my son.

    Engine, transmission, suspension, body are sound, lots of niggling
    problems from benign neglect.

    Car was not driven for a few years until recently.

    Has third row seat: when lifted seat up, found water pooled underneath.

    I can see no source / cause of leakeage to allow water to enter; could
    it somehow have seeped in through a weak rear door / tailgate seal?

    Headliner looks like new, no stain or moisture.

    Baffled...
     
    zencraps, Mar 1, 2006
    #1
  2. zencraps

    M-gineering Guest

    Wheelwells L + R. Look behind the spare etc
     
    M-gineering, Mar 1, 2006
    #2
  3. zencraps

    James Sweet Guest


    There's a couple places I've seen water enter 245s. The most common are
    the rear side windows in the cargo area. Water tends to collect on the
    ridge of the body underneath the rubber seal around the glass and rusts
    out the metal there which results in poor rubber to metal seal and water
    entering the car. Another thing to check is the seal around the
    tailgate, and also the rubber gaskets on the hinges. Oh and does the car
    have a roof rack?
     
    James Sweet, Mar 1, 2006
    #3
  4. zencraps

    zencraps Guest

    Yes, it has a roof rack.
     
    zencraps, Mar 1, 2006
    #4
  5. zencraps

    User Guest

    Under each of the brackets for the rack there are or should be 1/2"
    Wellnuts. A top hat shaped molded rubber plug formed around a ca[tive
    nut. When placed in a sheet metal hole as an anchor that abuts a piiece
    to be secured, when the screw pulls the piece together by drawing up on
    the nut the rubber both compresses and expands in the hole to form a
    water tight seal. Over time the rubber shrinks and the seal is no longer
    water tight.

    Unless your wagon was built in New Brunswick (VIN plant code 3, i.e
    YV1AX8854F(3)xxxxxx) then it leaks atthe rear quarter glass. Only the
    Canadian built cars didn't leak.

    Bob
     
    User, Mar 2, 2006
    #5
  6. zencraps

    zencraps Guest

    VIN is YV1AX8859F160****
     
    zencraps, Mar 2, 2006
    #6
  7. zencraps

    User Guest

    So it was built in Torslanda and it leaks.

    Bob
     
    User, Mar 2, 2006
    #7
  8. zencraps

    zencraps Guest

    Man, as I tear into this beast, I note the carpet is also damp under
    the driver's feet.

    Not good.

    Got to replace the passenger side window mechanism, and the rear
    tailgate lock: both were bent and rendered useless.

    What is the best way to cure the leaking, hopefully without removing
    the glass?

    This car won't be cherried out, it will be for commuting to work, so a
    silicone bead visible on the outside is OK.
     
    zencraps, Mar 2, 2006
    #8
  9. zencraps

    User Guest

    It's ugly as sin but you can use a tube of clear silicon sealer. Lift up
    the trim, gently, and run a bead along the edge of the glass to the body
    and work your way all around the perimeter of the windshield. Mostly
    windshield leaks are around the bottom when the glass shifts forward
    away from the butyl tape as it ages. Sometimes yiu'll get a small void
    on the side or at the top, so without tracking it down or replacing the
    butyl tape, you might as well go all the way 'round.

    Bob
     
    User, Mar 3, 2006
    #9
  10. Recently I've been seeing "windshield sealer" at auto parts stores. It's
    like regular clear silicone sealant but actually flows into cracks. It's at
    least as messy as silicone sealant but it does a better job for gaps.

    Mike
     
    Michael Pardee, Mar 3, 2006
    #10
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.