Seeking Help--water leaking into driver's side footwell when it rains

[Gmot123]

Hi there, seeking some thoughts from the folks here. Back in January I purchased a lightly used 2020 Wrangler Sahara with SOT. It went through the winter and now spring without any real issues of note. That included rainy days.

Starting a couple of weeks ago, I started getting leaking into my driver's side footwell when it rains out. From any signs of leaking, it does not appear to be coming from my roof/SOT at all. It seems to be coming straight into the footwell, and it doesn't just pool on the top of my all-weather floor mat, the leaking is extensive underneath the floor mat, and gets the carpet on my driver's side soaking wet.

Any thoughts of where this leak could be coming from and how the water is getting in there? Many thanks in advance.

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[fat_head]

Make sure your door limiting strap isn't folding outwards, getting trapped in the door seal.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

@Gmot123

Remove the "cowl" on the driver's side (easy to do) and use silicone to seal any and all seams you see visible under that cowl.

Not uncommon to see leaks as you have, if a seam there is open/letting water pass by.

 

[jludave]

Remove the "cowl" on the driver's side (easy to do) and use silicone to seal any and all seams you see visible under that cowl.

100% this.

I had the same water issue on my week old 2020 JLU. Took it into my dealer and they had their leak specialist check it out.

It was an improperly sealed body seam under the driver side cowl as @Rhinebeck01 mentioned above. I also had an improperly installed door seal that was fixed too. The leak specialist took care of both issues.

If you want to fix it yourself, instead of silicone, I recommend automotive body seam sealer like this:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-2...7Q0ZQGK/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=B007Q0ZQGK&psc=1

 

[Gmot123]

Thanks a ton for the initial thoughts. I'll check these things out. I wanted to hear from the experts here before bringing this into the dealership.

 

[Rico1111]

Also when you have the cowl off.... check that the drain tube (from above windshield, where freedom tops meet windshield)isn't blocked! you can see the tube is right there when removing cowl panel. I had the same thing and added a hose over the drain hose to further the travel of it into fender where it drains out.

 

[Dan M.]

Also when you have the cowl off.... check that the drain tube (from above windshield, where freedom tops meet windshield)isn't blocked! you can see the tube is right there when removing cowl panel. I had the same thing and added a hose over the drain hose to further the travel of it into fender where it drains out.

^^^^^This. My wife's Equinox had the same exact problem and it ended up being a beetle that got stuck in a drain tube. I blew it out with air from my compressor.

 

[Slippery Pete]

I just saw a few drops fall on the passenger side on my drive from work...

 

[Boots]

Thanks a ton for the initial thoughts. I'll check these things out. I wanted to hear from the experts here before bringing this into the dealership.

Gmot123,

Did you get this resolved? Before I remove the cowl or take it to the dealership, I wanted to see if you found the source of your leak. After a rain event, I find that water has started to accumulate in the driver's side footwell of my 2020 JLUR as well.

 

[jollycj]

Don't think its this but if you haven't found this thread it might have some additional thoughts. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/a-pillar-water-drip-tsb-23-041-21-rev-a.102772/

 

[Fudster]

^^^^^This. My wife's Equinox had the same exact problem and it ended up being a beetle that got stuck in a drain tube. I blew it out with air from my compressor.

Fear not Dan. Paul and Ringo only have so many more years between them to try a stunt like this again.

 

[Gmot123]

Gmot123,

Did you get this resolved? Before I remove the cowl or take it to the dealership, I wanted to see if you found the source of your leak. After a rain event, I find that water has started to accumulate in the driver's side footwell of my 2020 JLUR as well.

Not sure if I ever resolved this to be honest. I removed the cowl, cleaned out what I could, and used a leaf blower. I couldn’t see anything clogged per se, so not sure exactly what the issue was. But I ended up selling my Wrangler shortly thereafter, so I don’t really know if it worked long term. Someone else’s problem now. Good luck.

 

[jromanmd]

LOL. Now that's a lot of help! Cheers!

 

[Mack.]

Also when you have the cowl off.... check that the drain tube (from above windshield, where freedom tops meet windshield)isn't blocked! you can see the tube is right there when removing cowl panel. I had the same thing and added a hose over the drain hose to further the travel of it into fender where it drains out.

Make sure your door limiting strap isn't folding outwards, getting trapped in the door seal.

@Gmot123

Remove the "cowl" on the driver's side (easy to do) and use silicone to seal any and all seams you see visible under that cowl.

Not uncommon to see leaks as you have, if a seam there is open/letting water pass by.

Spot on. There was no water trail until pulled the little plastic cover on the right where the door strap is fastened. There was water in the cover and on the electric connector in there. I remove the cowl end cover and sure enough the body panel seems had gaps that weren't sealed at all. I blew air in them and it came out from where I had removed the little plastic cover. I removed the left cowl end cap and found the same thing. It is a big job and takes 30 minutes. they could leak enough to cause damage with no signs of waters entering because it comes under the carpet. It rained for 20 hrs. otherwise I would not have known the leaks were slowly working on my floor boards. If you care about your Jeep take out the 8 bolts that hold the end cover on, clean the seams with alcohol and use a good windshield sealer.
QUOTE="fat_head, post: 1958926, member: 15833"]
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