Soggy Carpet Syndrome

[Seemer]

Here in the Northeast, we have been hammered with rain. I have had the wag for almost two weeks now and am noticing some soggy carpets after the rain storms....and this is without driving it when the roads are wet. So, it was time to do some investigating and here is what I found.

Drivers side carpets basically dry. Passenger side carpet very wet both in the front and the rear areas. Now, this Jeep has very little rust anywhere when looking from the "outside". Wow, was I surprised to find a lot of surface rust (maybe an understatement) in the rear foot well. From underneath, there is really no sign of rust. Well, clearly water is getting in. The front passenger well has some rust but not too bad. See pics below.

I have some theories on where the water is getting in. See pics below. Any advice on where else to look and tips to stopping the leaks will be hugely appreciated. I'm going to pull the carpets this weekend, dry everything out and treat rust areas. After that, I don't want to be pulling carpets after every storm.

Passenger Front
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/81170757/name/Passenger+Floor+a.jpg

Passenger Rear.......SURPRISE! Yes, I was surprised given next to no rust when looking from underneath

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/356033010/name/Rear+Floor+Rust+1.jpg

Now, where is the water coming from?

Top of Windshield?

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1210707999/name/Windshield+Gasketa.jpg
Or, first by running down this track...(I cleaned out the visible gunk)

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/435275455/name/Front+Door+Rain+Gutter+4a.jpg


and continues down into door...

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1338483652/name/Front+Door+Rain+Gutter+5a.jpg


and then hopefully in this rubber guide, but maybe not if compressed

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1659971978/name/Front+Door+Rain+Gutter+2a.jpg


http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1492159497/name/Front+Door+Rain+Gutter+3a.jpg


If water doesn't make it into this guide, then straight down door opening surface?

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1965803745/name/Front+Door+Rain+Gutter+1a.jpg


And then water ultimately seeps in here..

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1970697887/name/Passenger+Floor2a.jpg


Other potential points of entry for front and back??


Here?
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/1653396882/name/Window+Gap+1a.jpg


But Window Wipes look good....

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/7738407/sn/387504692/name/Window+Wipes+1.jpg


Hope these pics help.

So, I will silicone the top of the windshield. Do I have to replace all door gaskets? Is that the only sure fix? Any tips ideas?

Thanks!!

[seventynine]

Yep soggy carpets have been the demise of many an FSJ floorboard:(

The fresh air vents are notorious for clogging up with leaves and causing leaks too.

Not sure if checked out this article...it's an oldie but a goodie:
http://www.ifsja.org/tech/body/fsj-leak.html

Dean

[letank]

Yep soggy carpets have been the demise of many an FSJ floorboard:(

The fresh air vents are notorious for clogging up with leaves and causing leaks too.

Not sure if checked out this article...it's an oldie but a goodie:
http://www.ifsja.org/tech/body/fsj-leak.html

Dean

X2 on the vent, you can cover the fresh air vent with your choice of material, mine is heating register cover made of magnetic sheets that can be cut and painted to match your paint. It is an ACE hardware product.

As for the rear the weld joint between the rear wheel well and the floor usually become brittle and let water in, in fact those spot weld are barely enough to keep the metal together after 10 years.

One new culprit that I have seen in my 74 is present on late 80's is the gasket of the stationary cargo glass that lets water in.

The windshield gasket is prone to leaks due to a rusty winshield frame.

[18cherokee]

my theory is water seeping through the cowl vent underneath the windscreen - & through the front fire wall where caulking may not have been sufficient.

i have seen water seep down the sides near the fresh air vents too - but also closer to the centre transmission hump etc under the dash. my fresh are vents are pretty clean, & i still get a bit wet.

windscreen leaks too at the bottom corner.

i am having the jeep re-sprayed shortly & during that time i will have all of the gaps etc around the windscreen wipers components etc looked at & also where the cowl grille cover is screwed down - i reckon water gets in through there too.

but when the rear floor gets wet - like the op's pics, i'm stumped.

[stonehengeheels]

Picture 9 is what I have seen on mine. I have noticed the water run over from the gasket and over the metal carpet trim.

[cajunKen]

I end up getting a slightly soggy carpet on the drivers side after going through a car wash; it hasn't happened during rain though....I figured the high pressure water was forcing it's way in through the vent.

[elskeptico]

bumping this one up after finally pulling out my fresh air vents and finding decades worth of leaves, pine needles and dirt plugging up those areas. I also found lots of rust and holes there, which I fixed with POR15 and caulking.

Every FSJ owner with soggy carpet syndrome should pull those vents (you need to pull the whole vent and flapper assembly) and check those areas. You'll likely need to clean them out. Also, as I'm doing, I suggest putting in some fine screen under the fresh air intake in front of the windshield to prevent large debris from getting in there to plug stuff up.