Water leaks

Water leaks

Where water leakage is involved, always adopt a logical approach to the problem using a combination of skill, experience and intuition. Do not reach a conclusion based only on visual evidence, such as assuming that a wet footwell is caused by a leak emanating from the windscreen. It will often be found that the source of the leak is elsewhere. Use of the correct procedure will increase the chance of locating a leak, however obscure it may seem.

Tools and equipment

The following tools and equipment are recommended for the purpose of detection and rectification of water leaks: 1 Garden sprayer (hand-operated) 2 Wet/dry vacuum cleaner 3 Dry, absorbent cloths 4 Battery torch 5 Small mirror 6 Weatherstrip locating tool 7 Trim panel remover 8 Small wooden or plastic wedges 9 Dry compressed air supply 10 Hot air blower 11 Sealer applicators 12 Ultrasonic leak detector

During leak detection, the vehicle should be considered in three basic sections: l The front interior space; l The rear passenger space; l The loadspace or boot.

Testing

From the information supplied by the customer it should be possible for the bodyshop operator to locate the starting point from which the leak may be detected. After the area of the leak has been identified, find the actual point of entry into the vehicle.

A simple and effective means in the first instance is an ordinary garden spray with provision for pressure and jet adjustment, which will allow water to be directed in a jet or turned into a fine spray. Use a mirror and a battery-powered torch (NOT a mains voltage inspection lamp) to see into dark corners.

The sequence of testing is particularly important. Start at the lowest point and work slowly upwards, to avoid testing in one area while masking the leak in another. For example, if testing started at the level of the windscreen, any water cascading into the plenum chamber could leak through a bulkhead grommet and into the footwells. Even at this point it could still be wrongly assumed that the windscreen seal was at fault.

Another important part of identifying a water leak is by visual examination of door aperture seals, grommets and weatherstrips for damage, deterioration or misalignment, together with the fit of the door itself against the seals.

Sealing

When the point of the leak has been detected, it will then be necessary to rectify it using the following procedure: 1 Renew all door aperture seals and weatherstrips which have suffered damage, misalignment or deterioration 2 Check all body seals to ensure that they are correctly located on their mounting flanges/faces using a lipping tool if necessary 3 Dry out body seams to be treated using compressed air and/or a hot air blower as necessary 4 Apply sealant on the outside of the joint wherever possible to ensure the exclusion of water 5 When rectifying leaks between a screen glass and it's weatherstrip (or in the case of direct glazing, between the glass and bodywork), avoid removing the glass if possible. Apply the approved material at the appropriate location (i.e. glass to weatherstrip or glass to body)