Toyota Camry 2005 leaks

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geekIT

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#255976 9-Sep-2019 11:07

My wife's car, purchased (used) three years ago, gets left out in the rain a lot.

At first, the exposure didn't seem to matter, but around a year ago it began to leak.

The water collects in one place - a depression in the floor pan near the driver's left foot.

I've asked various 'experts' (windscreen replacers, mechanics etc) where it might be coming in and nobody knows.

The dealer\reseller, Cooke Howlison in Dunedin, didn't even want to know after the 12 month warranty had expired.

Toyota NZ just referred me back to the dealer.

The windscreen of this NZ assembled (Camry Sportiva, 95,000k, good all-round condition) vehicle appears to be the original, so several opinioners dismissed that area as a likely source.

Anyone had similar trouble with their own vehicle?

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Bung

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#2313524 9-Sep-2019 12:26

Does the air con drain properly, do you get the usual puddle of water on the ground after you park? If the drain is blocked you might be overflowing into the car from the blower unit under the dash.

trig42

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#2313532 9-Sep-2019 12:49

Does it have a sunroof?

If so, check that the drains from around the sunroof are clear. (you should be able to pour a bit of water down them and see it come out the bottom of the car).

If not, Aircon, or a leak around the windscreen?

tehgerbil

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#2313533 9-Sep-2019 12:55

Bung: Does the air con drain properly, do you get the usual puddle of water on the ground after you park? If the drain is blocked you might be overflowing into the car from the blower unit under the dash.

Very common cause of water ingress.

Usually 'invisible' as a slightly blocked hole will slowly drain, leaving no evidence after the fact.

geekIT

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#2313596 9-Sep-2019 14:41

Thanks guys.

No sunroof. Aircon hasn't been used since last summer.

In any case, the car leaks while it's sitting idle, engine off. Sometimes it mightn't get used for a week, but it still leaks.

I've tried covering it with a small 1800 x 1200 tarp. Slung lengthwise, it covers the area from mid roof to a point on the bonnet about 450mm forward of the screen.

No leaks while that's in place, but it's damn nuisance to tie down, especially if it's windy. I need a permanent fix.

The Smith and Smith's guy said they could do a screen reset for about $300, but also said that it mightn't be the problem.

Another screen guy said it might be coming in the boot. Hmmm.

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RunningMan

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#2313602 9-Sep-2019 14:52

Get inside with a bright torch while it's raining heavily, or under the hose. Try and track back from the floor which direction the water comes from and follow the trail.

As well as door, window, taillight seals etc, there could be a rust hole or similar in the heater plenum. There's plenty of places for water to get in, it really just takes patience and a methodical approach to find it.

tehgerbil

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#2313603 9-Sep-2019 14:52

Does it leak after it rains?

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wellygary

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#2313605 9-Sep-2019 14:56

geekIT:

The windscreen of this NZ assembled (Camry Sportiva, 95,000k, good all-round condition) vehicle appears to be the original, so several opinioners dismissed that area as a likely source.

Anyone had similar trouble with their own vehicle?

First point it isn't NZ assembled, Toyota shuttered its NZ factories in '96 and 98..

Second, chasing rain leaks is a real pain in the #$%#%, and it is pretty much a process of elimination,

If you have some time, get out the hose and start testing places water could be coming in,

Start with the scuttlepanel ( the black plastic bit below the windscreen) - but don't get the windscreen wet, this will help workout if it is actually the glass seal or not,

If you are still dry, then go to town on the windscreen.... and see if you get leaks ( likely through the bottom rubber seal)

geekIT

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#2313713 9-Sep-2019 16:38

tehgerbil:Does it leak after it rains?

Well, it leaks when it rains. Unless the cover is on.

The pic shows the approximate area that's covered by the 1800 x 1200 cover, which I tie to door handles and wheels etc.

So it would seem that the water is coming in somewhere in that area.

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DonH

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#2314030 10-Sep-2019 09:39

I had that problem with an old Mazda. The water ran down the windscreen into the gap where the wipers are, then down the firewall. There was a duct, part of the heater, that had a rubber seal against the firewall. It had perished and the water was getting inside past the seal. Lift the floor mats and carpet, then get someone to run a hose over various areas of the firewall under the hood and look for water trickling down.

People hear what they see. - Doris Day

geekIT

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#2314086 10-Sep-2019 10:42

DonH, thanks. Yeah, it's gotta be something like that. I'll see if the local mechanic is willing to take a look. I'm a bit past crawling around the car on my hands and knees :-)

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