I took carpet out yesterday. Mildew smell since 8 purchased it a month ago. Sure enough padding was soaked. Now going to figure out where the water is coming from. First question does anyone know if these silver patches are factory? Or do you think someone tried to patch leaks?

98 xj

 

Factory.
I hear dry ice makes it simple to get them off.

https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1156896

 

I found this 1/4" hole in floor. Almost like someone drilled it so that water would drain. Just to the right of the knife in photo

 

Well assuming somebody did might give you an idea of where to look for the leak.
Oh while you are there check the plastic mount for the console behind the E brake.
They like to crack and this is what makes the console wobble.
They make a nice metal one but it is not cheap.

 

Thanks Ralph77

 

I'll tell you what others have told me when I've asked where water is coming in. Tighten the two torx screws for the under dash fuse panel (Don't overtighten like I did), Check the seam sealer under the hood and replace if needed, check windshield seal, gutter rails can have holes in them and leak, roof rack bolts if you have one, and finally don't have your interior gutted for 2+ years like I have.

 

Front roof rail fasteners can come undone too, and water can drizzle down. (if your rig has the roof rail option)

 

Thanks I'll go down the list you provided and eliminate what I can. I soaked the pass side really good with water hose and did not get water inside. I took off the cover to wiper assembly and cleaned out. Lots of pine needles. Ran alot of water in there and all ran down both fenders. None inside the jeep. I do have roof rails. Planning to drive with no interior until I find the leak.

 

So I found the leak. I sprayed under the hood onto what I believe is the fan motor? Imeadiatly water is pass floor board. Now what.. how do I get to it? Is there a manual I can get besides hanes?

 

I am probably wrong but I don't think you did.
You just sprayed water through an opening.
How could the water be getting in there to get in the fan to end up in the passenger compartment?

 

After spraying the outside alot. Water did congregate there below that fan area. So I know the seal on hood is not keeping water out and needs replaced. But shouldn't there be a watertight seal around fan motor as well? Parked at the right angle with the passenger side lower than the driver side. Water is going to build up there.

 

So I am guessing you are talking the seal between the hood and cowl.
Part number 55235178.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mopar-N...sAAOSw3Sla2ko2

There is a foam seal around the blower motor. Check it out at 1:19.

 

There is a drain for the AC unit that comes down from behind the dash. Mine was clogged at the elbow joint. I pulled it and cleaned it out and it is all good now. Unfortunately it has already rusted my passenger side. I am welding in new lanes this weekend.

 

Only interior leak I had in my 1996 XJ was the windshield seal. Stopped leaking when I had the windshield replaced.

 

That is where my first one was. Had my body guy dealing with surface rust issues, hood and roof, and figured have him deal with that too.
Never know what you will find under. He had his glass guy remove the windshield. Luckily all it took was a remove, regunk, replace with a new molding.