Help- Water got in the car.

[That Ozzy Guy]

Last night was my B'day so a few us met up for a feed. We headed up to the north shore and all was fine until the heavens opened up and flooded the streets. It stopped raining so we thought we'd make a run for it. After everyone went off in their own directions I was left with two other cars heading south with me. It decides to rain again.

So here's me driving with very very low visibility. Every so often a huge puddle greets me and gives the underbody a good wash. We went through this one puddle where all of our cars nearly suffocated and died in the middle of the road so we gave up and pulled into a service station.

What I saw under full lights got me worried. The centre console where the ashtray is supposed to be (I don't have one so it's just a hole) was holding water about an inch deep. The passanger side floor looked soaked and upon turning on the air fans I could hear water in there. I got paper hand towels and soaked up all the water that I could at the time. This morning I soaked a bit more and it seems to be ok.

Now, what else should I check and be worried about? All the water in the air vents seems to have gone but I don't know where else I should look.

Also, what is that big round thing under the glove compartment? It had water dripping from it.

Thanks for reading.

[2ManyZs]

Big round thing under the dash? You mean outside water got into the heater box and into the fan?:cross-eye

One of the places it could have came in is around the heater hoses where they come through the firewall, have you checked the grommets? That's about the only way I can think water form outside could get into the heater box.

There should be a runner plug under the ash try in the tunnel, it's there to drain water out, so if it's in bad shape it could be letting water in.... Never had one get water under there before.

You might also want to check your windshield wiper arm grommets, as that could also be part of the water getting in behind the dash.

[JEFF]

That big round thing under the glove compartment is the heater/airconditioner blower motor (fan)that is where the water noise was probably coming from. I think the water got in there through the fresh air in take tubes.

I wouldn't turn the fan on for a day or two then run it when ever you drive it ( on lowest speed ) for the next week or untill the water noise is gone. I do not think there would any lasting damage to anything with a one time soaking.

You could put a fine screen in/at the opening of the fresh air intakes where they come out in the front of the rad. suport, maybe some thing like screen from a screen door. I think that would greatly reduce that kind of water volume from entering again.

Good luck

- Jeff

[Bambikiller240]

And examine the rubber boot that the shifter goes through. It seals the large hole in the tunnel. They get torn and rotten over time. Mine had a large tear, so I replaced it. Made the interior quieter as a side benefit.

[That Ozzy Guy]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna have a good look at all the places you've recommended.

Is there any way to improve the wipers? They're terrible in heavy rain. The blades are fairly new so that's not the problem.

Carl, I think you might be right about the rubber boot. There was a fair bit of water around there.

Jeff, all the water from the blower motor seems to have leaked onto the floor so that's solved that problem.

Cheers.

[That Ozzy Guy]

Originally posted by BambiKiller240

And examine the rubber boot that the shifter goes through.

Boot is pretty worn. Gonna have to replace that. How much should I expect to pay? Just so I know and not get ripped off.

cheers

[Bambikiller240]

The "inner" boot (the one that attaches to the tunnel, not the one on the console) goes for $22 to 25 USD.