Hi All - trying to rebuild 98XJ that has almost no rust. There are only 2 spots, one small spot on passenger floor board, the heater core has been fixed and the floor stays dry.

the one I am concerned about is at the seam under the front quarter panel. How can I stop this? It is eating through the metal. It rained a small amount today and you can see it is wet. The interior is bone dry. Thanks.


Picture from underneath.

 

Pull the carpet up and have a look.

 

I can't really tell where that is. Do you have a zoomed out version of that photo that would give more context?


Short term, get some WD-40 on it, or a good penetrating oil, to slow things down until you find the source of the leak. WD-40 is good for one thing only - displacing water. It's a lousy penetrating oil, a poor lubricant, but it does work for that one thing. (Might be due to the fact that it was designed to do that one thing.)

 

I am thinking that is that area that you can stick your hand up into where the fender meets the door underneath.
I always try to remember to shoot water up in there when I power wash underneath.
Thinking all sorts of crap could get lodged up in there.

 

That pic looks like the spot where the floorpan kicks up to the firewall? Water could be getting in from practically anywhere. Windshield, fenders, firewall, blower motor, rockers, etc.. The interior being dry doesnt mean much as water can find a path inside the A pillar, where the Junction Box lives. Pull the kick panel out and look for any signs of wetness around the Junction Box using a flashlight.

 

Little-known fact: The "WD" in WD-40 stands for water displacing.

 

and 40 is how many formula tries it took before it worked.

 

And the dash is a punctuational mark that separates the D from the 4.

 

Hi All: thanks for the responses. It is where the floor pan kicks up into the firewall. I just don’t know how the water is getting behind there and I am not sure to figure it out really. I will take the kick panel out. That is a good idea.

the heater core was recently replaced, so that seal is good.

 

ROFL!


You are a smart-alek, Rob.


I like that about you!

 

Yep. Tape a strip of dry paper towel around the suspect spot, and start hosing the outside down, one small section at a time. Give it some time to run down inside and show up on the paper towel.

 

There isnt anything getting there from underneath. The liquid is inside the vehicle coming from somewhere above. I'd guess the blower motor seal. But there are a number of potential sources as mentioned above.

Remove the kick panel, trim beside the seat, center console, and possibly the seat. Then peel the carpet back. You are probably going to find something you dont want to find

 

I hope not, but I agree it is likely. The Jeep is so clean everywhere else.

once I finish the suspension this weekend, I will start on the interior.