Topic: water into car -testing
in Forum: C3 Body
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
HI,
im at the moment testing the car for water leaks before i put new interior in.
the are some on the t top which i can fix with new seals.
but i need your help on the front bulkhead!
when i hose water on top of the windscreen and hood i get water into the driver and passenger footwells.
I know this could be just old flexible sealant on the panel connection point.
does anyone have any experience of the common water ingress points on these vettes.
ive posted a picture of the car as it was in the US before i imported it to Newcastle UK
thanks again.
brian
(redborderreivers)
also im trying to buy some small block L82 type alluminum valve covers if anyone has any for sale.
thanks
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
sprinkle baby powder where you think leaks are possible-- when you spronkle the area the water will leave a track through the powder.
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35 
thanks thats a good idea,
i was going to try some food coloring
but i thimk your idea is better.
thanks,
brian
The factory sealant in the cowl/wiper trough area gets old with age and can develope leaks. My '68 leaked in this area. I shot the entire area with 3M automotive undercoating from a rattle can. Worked like a charm and no leaks.
My '82 has what looks like roofing tar in the wiper trough.
I don't know if a PO did that to fix a leak or if it was done at the factory, but it sure looks crappy.
Save the Wave!
Support the National Corvette Museum
Support the National Corvette Museum
thanks,
i going to lift the car this weekend and have a good look at the bulkhead a top area where the wipers area.
where you are suggesting.
just to put things in perspectice im not talking about a lot of water i had soaked the car with a hose for a long time and noticed a track down from the corner panel next to the clutch pedal and one somewhere near the throttle pedal, could be the same point of entry.
i noticed on a previous link someone had mentioned the cowl drains.
that if they get blocked the water can cone into the footwells.
ill check these this weekend.
I did check on another website and tyou can buy a luminous dye and check this with a uiv light,
if i cant find the leak i may try that method.
ill keep everyone posted with pictures if i fnd anything of interest
thanks for your help,
cheers
brian
mine looks as if its got an underrseal type material in the wiper area also.
maybe looks like someone has had this problem earlier in the vettes life.
ill see if i can remove some of this with solvent and re seal the joint areas.
thanks for yopur hel;p,
cheers ,
brian
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The cowl area is sealed from the factory with what is basically roofing tar, swiped on with a rag/mop. It does dry out over the years, and shrink, allowing leaks. This would be the place for a leak that is dripping/running by the throttle pedal area.
The sides of the body, by the lick panels, are actually designed to be drains for whatever water enters the wiper area, but they usually wind up being catches for the water, as the small drain holes in the bottom of the cowl area get plugged up with twigs, rust, and bug carcasses...
The sides of the body, by the lick panels, are actually designed to be drains for whatever water enters the wiper area, but they usually wind up being catches for the water, as the small drain holes in the bottom of the cowl area get plugged up with twigs, rust, and bug carcasses...
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
thanks joel.
ive just tested the bulkhead next to wiper area and cleaned cowl area everything seams to be draining as it should be.
ive tested sections in turn.
first he bulkhead and this looks ok now,
i tested the t top next and was getting some slight lleaks
ive adjusted the t top locks pulling the seal down a little tighter , that seems to have corrected the leaks on the t top.
just shows you how leak paths can fool you!.
most of the tracks into the footwell seem to be comming from the door/sill area. i have the edge strip/carpet holding strip removed at the moment.
this seems to allow anything comming down the door drain holes to come into the footwell.
one thing is confusing me at the moment maybe someone can help. i can see some red plastic bungs/plugs in the sill. top
when i take these out i can see through the sill to the ground. ae these drain holes? has the previous owner put thes plugs in, should they be in?
thanks ,
brian
both of my vets have these holes pluged with red plugs also.
Annicorvette
Lifetime member # 35
in Forum: C3 Body
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)