Front Passenger foot carpets are soaked

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Nov 1, 2020 | 06:13 PM

#16

Rambler65

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Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 940

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From: Abysmo, NJ

Year: 1999

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

You're very lucky if you don't have a leak coming through the cowl since there seems to be no way around fixing that without having to cut it open with an angle grinder or similar tool. Even then it looks real difficult to get to some of the area that needs sealing. As I said the real big leak on mine is definitely getting out through the door seal, but that doesn't tell me where the water is actually getting in, so more testing is needed. The trickle of water visible under the dash though says there is some cowl cutting in my future. (Bad design. Must be a tradition, mid-1960s Ramblers also suffered from wet passenger side floors due to poor cowl design.)

More heavy rain today so I'll have another mess to clean up in there tomorrow...

Nov 12, 2020 | 03:46 PM

#17

Jack Pullo

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Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 126

Likes: 19

Model: Cherokee

For others who search this in the future, check the windshield and visors for dampness

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wat...ipping-259690/

Sep 24, 2021 | 12:07 PM

#18

Jack Pullo

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Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 126

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Model: Cherokee

I got in the car during a raining morning and finally SAW the drip of water come from under the glovebox. Caught red handed !
So, that's where the leak is coming from. This means cowl, right?

Sep 24, 2021 | 12:39 PM

#19

4.3L XJ

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Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 6,588

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From: Chico, CA

Year: 1986

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system

That is where I would start

Sep 24, 2021 | 10:34 PM

#20

bnemmie

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Joined: Apr 2020

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From: South Alaska

Year: 1995

Model: Cherokee (XJ)

Engine: 4.0

Yep, a good place to start.

Sep 25, 2021 | 06:55 AM

#21

Jack Pullo

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Model: Cherokee

Quote:

Originally Posted by fb97xj1

The drain is in the engine compartment. Look on the passenger side just above the frame rail. Should be a tube poking thru the firewall. Might have a rubber elbow on it. If so, it should pull right off. If thats not the source of the leak it could be a leaking door seal, a leaking seam in the engine bay near the hood hinge, or the seal around the blower motor, or a hole in the A-pillar around the windshield (behind the seal), or the cowl vent (inside the cowl). Could even be the roof if you have a roof rack. Lots of places water can get in. The thing with water is that it could be getting in from the other side of the vehicle and running along a panel to the other side. Take a flashlight and shine it up into the dash and look for any signs of a leak. Check the floors from under the vehicle as well, just because.

I will try to also inspect the possible leaking seam around the blower motor from under the hood

Last edited by Jack Pullo; Sep 25, 2021 at 08:23 AM.

Sep 25, 2021 | 12:30 PM

#22

Jack Pullo

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Joined: Dec 2015

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Model: Cherokee

I poured a gallon a water into the cowl opening and it all immediately drained out of the vehicle.
None dripped into the glovebox area, and that black square box under the glovebox was dry.
So, I don't think it's the cowl. I have no clue where this leak is coming from, but I may just leave a bucket inside the car when it rains.

Sep 25, 2021 | 02:55 PM

#23

lawsoncl

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Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 4,367

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Year: 1989

Model: Comanche (MJ)

Engine: 4.0

Given how long this has been going on, have you pulled the carpet up and assessed the damage? By now, I'm sure you've got some rusting on the floorboards that needs remedied.