Martlor13

Ok so I bought a 99 cherokee about a month ago. A few people have told me it smelt a little inside but I didn't think anything of it. However today, I was cleaning the floor mats and noticed under the drivers mat it was soaking wet. I took everything out and removed the carpet. The underside from the front drivers side to the rear was soaked and the passenger side was damp. Cleaned up the water and have the carpet drying. Where do you guys think the water came from? There's no rust or seem to be any holes on the floorboard. Previous owner washed the inside with a hose haha?? What are your opinions? Thank you.

SteveMongr

Usual suspect is around the windshield.

Martlor13

Ok total noon question here? How would you check for leaks on the windshield? Sit in the jeep and have some one spray it with a hose? Haha

SteveMongr

It's not easy. If you have rubber trim around windshield you can lift up the edge and peek underneath for rust on frame of windshield.
Otherwise, can remove kick panels, located in footwells of passenger and driver compartment. Look for signs of moisture.

Martlor13

I'll take a peak under the trim when I get back but everything in the floor well was soaked undernearh. Should I just take it to a glass shop and have them seal it up or would I just need a whole new windshield?

caged

po could have sunk it in a water hole.
yeah, you could have someone hold a water hose along the top of the windshield to see if it's coming in somewhere. you would also likely see some water stains on the inside of the windshield running down behind the dash.

Martlor13

Everything is drying out. There doesn't seem to be any signs of rust along the outside of the windshield under the trim. Tomorrow I'll run some water on the windshield to see if it leaks when everything on the inside is dry.

Martlor13

And it's crazy because its damp a little even under the rear bench seat. Ridiculous

SteveMongr

Perhaps the PO, previous owner had the doors off, it's a popular modification.

Martlor13

Hey guys. I just watched a video from bleepin jeep on how he diagnosed a leaky windshield. He sprayed soapy water on the outside and then blew compressed air from the inside. This was on a 1990 though I believe. Should still work on 1999 I don't think there's a difference. I'm gonna try it tomorrow.

caged

the only difference is 90 uses metal trim and 97+ uses rubber

SteveMongr

Seems excessive for it to be the windshield, it is usually localized to the front footwells and as far as under front seats.
Inspect roof and rain gutters for rust holes. And door jambs for missing gasket. Otherwise, caged may be on to something about previous owner and a water hole.

caged

maybe the floor has rust issues. tiny perforations of rust can cause water to seep up to soak the carpet.

best is to get that carpet out of there until you find out what is causing it. that underpad stays wet a long time and can cause more damage.

Martlor13

I have the carpet out and everything seems to be ok as far as rust goes. I didn't see any holes. I'm waiting for it to warm up just a bit so I can go investigate further.

Fred/N0AZZ

If the PO used to wash the carpet and interior out with a hose and you have only had it a month its very possible that it had never dried from when he did it last. The weather has not been hot and sunny in most areas so not good for drying of the carpet for sure and would account for under the rear seat area also. This is not a good idea to wash the carpet this way if you must wash remove it then wash and dry of have mold and mildew.


I may be wrong but if you can't find a leak anywhere that may be it, who knows? Important thing now to dry out everything and start fresh.


On my 99 when I bought it the windshield was cracked so I had it replaced when they did found the rubber seal was bad also and replaced it. Was lucky that I had no rust on mine but could of in time if hadn't replaced windshield.