Attention Leak Whisperers

[Fudster]

When it rains, water collects in my hard top JL Sahara where a front passenger's feet would be.

It's raining steadily today and quite the puddle has formed there, my having removed the rubber floor mat there prior.

As I feel around the puddle's perimeter it appear at best, maybe damp. Additionally, there's no clear visual path from above where water might travel to the foot well.

Maybe the leak is happening under the carpeting and collecting at the lowest point (the foot well). But in the past, when the rubber floor mat's been installed there, water has collected in it as well, suggesting that there's a water leak from above, if not one in another place. The rubber mat, impervious to water, is not likely to collect water coming from below. It's not as if the height of puddled water has pooled so high as to pour into the mat from below, given the water's rising height.

I've read some prior posts on the subject matter that suggest checking the cowl welds, etc., but has anyone had this or is familiar with this who can suggest the most likely places to look and rule out as known problem areas for this issue?

TIA

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[Left Field]

Just found water in mine in the same area, including some captured on the rubber mat. First time. I'm trying to sort out if it's a leak or an errant water bottle. Or something to do with my son recently blasting through deeply flooded intersections

 

[aldo98229]

Have you checked that the drain plug under the floor mat is in place?

 

[Maverick909]

if this is after you open the door its coming from the rain gutter. It drips right into the floor board on both the driver and passenger sides. Depending on the amount of rain falling is how much and fast it gets in when you open the front doors. The only other thing i can think of is if the drain plug isnt in place or sealed

 

[Fudster]

@Maverick909 , @aldo98229 :

This drain plug?




Those drain plugs are definitely as untouched as they were when I drove the JL off the the dealer's lot new. They are installed and in place. I've never touched them, or undone them.

A few additional thoughts. I'm running the Bestop floor mats in front. Unlike the factory mats, which I still own, they do not have ability to integrate with the drain plugs of this video.

Now, I could revert back to the factory mats, and remove this drain plug from the vehicle tub, putting it on top of the factory mat, and this would allow water from above to drain, but would it not now allow water to splash on to the carpet from the road below?

The water I see happens while the vehicle is sitting on my driveway, doors closed.

It's almost like somebody took a watering can and wet the carpet where people's feet are.

 

[4-play]

When the hardtop on my JK leaked, I just had someone spray it with a hose while I was inside.

 

[Fudster]

When the hardtop on my JK leaked, I just had someone spray it with a hose while I was inside.

Great idea Sherman...hoses turned off for the season on my property notwithstanding. (Could turn them back on for and on a warmer day.)

So...it was a JK, but what did you find?

 

[Maverick909]

I'd start with the hard top water test. use a garden hose to test all the seals on the freedom panels. Next i would check the windshield bolts and make sure they haven't loosed up a little. If its still raining you can also drape a towel from the head rest to the front windshield and see if it gets wet. that will help you figure out if it is coming from the top of the jeep or below that point in the towel.. from there i would look under and see if maybe one of the wire grommets are not seated to the firewall correctly. also i would just double check and make sure the plug is fully seated. all things that would take just a couple mins to look at. It might be over kill but maybe use a White paper towel or cloth to make sure it doesnt have a hint of pinkish purple coloring. as it could be but unlikely a heater core that dripped out a little over night

 

[aldo98229]

@Maverick909 , @aldo98229 :

This drain plug?




Those drain plugs are definitely as untouched as they were when I drove the JL off the the dealer's lot new. They are installed and in place. I've never touched them, or undone them.

A few additional thoughts. I'm running the Bestop floor mats in front. Unlike the factory mats, which I still own, they do not have ability to integrate with the drain plugs of this video.

Now, I could revert back to the factory mats, and remove this drain plug from the vehicle tub, putting it on top of the factory mat, and this would allow water from above to drain, but would it not now allow water to splash on to the carpet from the road below?

The water I see happens while the vehicle is sitting on my driveway, doors closed.

It's almost like somebody took a watering can and wet the carpet where people's feet are.

The Mopar slush mats are designed to seal the drain hole and prevent water splashing in when you remove the plug.

You might be having a leak through the area where the hardtop meets the windshield header.

Try the following:

1. Remove both freedom panels
2. Clean the rubber seals and adjoining areas very thoroughly
3. Apply some silicone dressing
4. Re-mount the freedom panels very carefully making sure they are aligned

Nine times out of ten this should stop a leak.

 

[RAMSTEEL]

since you've removed the carpet, sprinkle baby powder, talc, etc. all around the footwell area, the path of the water from the sides will be apparent and narrow down the path

 

[4-play]

It didn’t take long to find. Mine was leaking at the front of the freedom panel where it meets the windshield, just to the side of the rear view mirror.

 

[Fudster]

I'd start with the hard top water test. use a garden hose to test all the seals on the freedom panels. Next i would check the windshield bolts and make sure they haven't loosed up a little. If its still raining you can also drape a towel from the head rest to the front windshield and see if it gets wet. that will help you figure out if it is coming from the top of the jeep or below that point in the towel.. from there i would look under and see if maybe one of the wire grommets are not seated to the firewall correctly. also i would just double check and make sure the plug is fully seated. all things that would take just a couple mins to look at. It might be over kill but maybe use a White paper towel or cloth to make sure it doesnt have a hint of pinkish purple coloring. as it could be but unlikely a heater core that dripped out a little over night

Funny about the pinkish color Brian. I've heard of "leak whisperers" who die their test water a color to better visualize where it spreads to.

Thanks.

 

[Joe98]

Get someone to spray a hose over your jeep while you get in the drivers side and watch. Do not open the passenger side door.

 

[TX MOAB]

I thought before I opened this it was going to be about new 2023 or 24 jeep colors or trims.

 

[Opus]

I thought before I opened this it was going to be about new 2023 or 24 jeep colors or trims.

Puce, Smaragdine and Gamboge... You're welcome.

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