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Wet Driver Side Floor Board

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by obx4runner, Feb 27, 2021.

  1. Feb 27, 2021 at 7:58 PM
    #1
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Just noticed that the carpet on the driver side is wet and goes up to the felt where the brake is located. Checked the floor pan underneath and inside and cannot see any rust or and holes. This has just started. Any ideas ?
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2021
  2. Feb 28, 2021 at 5:08 PM
    #2
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    So I sprayed under the floor pan and no leak. Sprayed sunroof and then poured water down the weep holes...no leak. Then sprayed wheel well and no leak. then ran AC and Heater...dripped outside just like it should have and no leak inside. Finally sprayed front windshield and grill under wipers and no leak. I am at a loss for where the water came from under the drivers side carpet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
  3. Feb 28, 2021 at 6:50 PM
    #3
    4Runner170V

    4Runner170V New Member

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    To check from outside to inside water leak, go through brushless self car wash....BRUSHLESS...

    Heater core..... I also agree on that....
     
  4. Feb 28, 2021 at 7:05 PM
    #4
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

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    Anyone else driving the truck before you found the wetness? If so, I have a theory.
     
  5. Mar 1, 2021 at 3:23 AM
    #5
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    2002. Thanks But I checked the AC and Heater. I ran the heater for 20 minutes and saw no dripping inside the car.
     
  6. Mar 1, 2021 at 3:24 AM
    #6
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    No it smells like musty wet feet ! LOL !
     
  7. Mar 1, 2021 at 3:25 AM
    #7
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Yes they did about 2 days prior to me noticing it. Hmmmm....
     
  8. Mar 1, 2021 at 4:15 AM
    #8
    freak4life

    freak4life New Member

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    Do you have older kids that drive?
     
  9. Mar 1, 2021 at 5:18 AM
    #9
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    All of them.
    Any mods or wires running through the fire wall? There was a section on trail4run that he was slowly getting water in through the rubber grommet from rubbing his wires in for lights.
     
  10. Mar 1, 2021 at 5:35 AM
    #10
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    Post back what you find will be curious.
     
  11. Mar 1, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #11
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    No mods to wiring harness or anything else. I spent the last hr spraying fire wall and under carriage again to see if I could find a leak. Also had the T4R running with heater on to check heater core and see if there is a leak. NADA ...nothing floor pan completely dry. Up next..I am going to drive it during a rain storm and see what happens.
     
  12. Mar 1, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #12
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Also had the T4R running with heater on to check heater core and see if there is a leak. NADA ...nothing floor pan completely dry. Up next..I am going to drive it during a rain storm and see what happens. Will do ...
     
  13. Mar 1, 2021 at 9:13 PM
    #13
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    Are you sure its water and not something else leaking?
     
  14. Mar 4, 2021 at 5:42 AM
    #14
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Not yet but any thinking it could be. I have not been able to replicate the leak.
     
  15. Mar 4, 2021 at 4:42 PM
    #15
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    Are you sure you didn't track the water in? Maybe nothing is wrong, and you had snowy or wet boots that dripped down onto the carpet when you were driving. It would explain why its only on the drivers footwell.
     
  16. Mar 4, 2021 at 4:47 PM
    #16
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Impossible because I have weather tech floor liners. I was cleaning the interior and I pulled out the weather tech floor mats and noticed the bottom was wet. So I then pulled the trim and lifted the carpet and it was soaked and had wicked up the fire wall insulated matting about 4 inches and was not wet any higher.
     
  17. Mar 4, 2021 at 10:32 PM
    #17
    bthp223

    bthp223 New Member

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    I have the same issue when it rains or I go through the car wash, still trying to figure out how to fix it. Take a look at the rubber where the steering column passes through the firewall.
     
  18. Mar 5, 2021 at 2:10 AM
    #18
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Keep me posted...I have sprayed water all around that entry point and NOTHING comes through. Plus it would have soaked the flat backing under the cover inside. That was dry.
     
  19. Mar 5, 2021 at 4:25 AM
    #19
    bthp223

    bthp223 New Member

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    Mine is a 2nd Gen so probably not the same type seal, but that is strange. Good Luck hope you figure it out.
     
  20. Mar 5, 2021 at 11:35 AM
    #20
    PhantomTweak

    PhantomTweak New Member

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    None. Bone Stock. EXCEPT: Brushguard, tow hitch, both welded to the frame. It's good to have friends and a fully equipped garage!
    I understand the windshield trim is a trap for water, and so rusts the body out under it. It can allow water into the cab in the craziest places. Might be worth taking a look.
    Check under the two kick panels in the cab, as well, for ANY evidence of water. They seem to be favorite places for water to get in. And naturally, one side has a fuse panel, the other the ECU and COR. Neither gets along well with moisture of any sort, so that's where the water comes in.

    Good luck!
    Pat☺
     
  21. Mar 6, 2021 at 10:57 AM
    #21
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    I have sprayed water all along the windshield trim. It is the original Windshield and all the molding is perfect with no rush anywhere. Behind the side kick panels were dry. As soon as it rains again ...I am going to take it for a long drive and see what happens.
     
  22. Mar 20, 2021 at 4:33 PM
    #22
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    FINALLY found the leak and how water is getting in. I drove the T4R through puddles and about 10 miles on a soaking wet surface during a strong rain. The water is getting in at the seam between the floor pan and the wheel well. So the water gets behind the wheel well molding and is running down the medal until it hits the seam. looks like I now have to figure out how to fix it.
     
    Moon Landing and seattleguy98 like this.
  23. Mar 20, 2021 at 5:54 PM
    #23
    Moon Landing

    Moon Landing AFFTC 1967/68 Eddies Air Patch

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    Just a thought. If you can find a bodyshop that's familiar with Runners? They can probably provide some tips and tricks and save you some time and headaches.

    Glad you found the source.
     
  24. Mar 30, 2021 at 8:45 AM
    #24
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    Looks like there were 2 sources......Floor pan fixed no issue. The second one was a grommet on the drivers side firewall up top by the brake fluid reservoir. water flows off the windshield then down the fender cowling and runs over top that grommet. I have sealed it better and waiting for the sealant to dry before verifying the fix.
     
    Moon Landing[QUOTED] likes this.
  25. Apr 4, 2021 at 4:05 PM
    #25
    obx4runner

    obx4runner [OP] New Member

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    All Fixed !! They ran a new hood latch cable through the wrong grommet and essentially punched a whole thus the leak. it only showed up after the reading clip pushed through.
     
    Moon Landing likes this.
  26. Nov 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM
    #26
    16T4R

    16T4R New Member

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    Do you happen to have any photos of this fix? I’m having the same issue though both driver and passenger carpet are getting drenched
     
    Technologic80 likes this.
  27. Apr 4, 2024 at 2:43 PM
    #27
    TheTots

    TheTots New Member

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    FYI to anyone finding this thread like I did. I was experiencing the same issue and was finally able to reproduce it by running water into the roof rack seam/weather stripping. As another user said, it made its way down to the corner of the windshield, along the top of the door near the door's weather stripping, then under the steering wheel, finally landing on the driver's side floor. I've hit it with some rubberized sealant to see if that does the trick. Will keep the post updated with any progress. PXL_20240404_205735303.jpg

    PXL_20240404_211656284.jpg
     
    3JOH22A likes this.
  28. Nov 6, 2024 at 2:28 PM
    #28
    T4RNewGuy

    T4RNewGuy New Member

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    My issue looks like the water is actually dripping off the e brake. It also happens when I’m not driving it, could the floor pan and wheel well issue also leak when not driving?

    I have a soaked driver side floor mat after a rain. My exposed steering column is actually showing some rust.

    Please excuse my ignorance. I’m not super well versed in auto maintenance outside of spark plugs and oil changes.
     
  29. Nov 6, 2024 at 2:31 PM
    #29
    T4RNewGuy

    T4RNewGuy New Member

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    I would love to talk with you about this. I think I’m having the same exact issue.
     
  30. Nov 6, 2024 at 6:15 PM
    #30
    T4RNewGuy

    T4RNewGuy New Member

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    I’d love to talk with you about this. I’m having the same water issue. I can’t visualize the problem area you describe. Is there a bundle of cables that goes through the firewall? Photos? Thanks for your help.
     

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