J30 Inside Leak

[bradgtr]

Hi Guys,

I have noticed that I have a water leak, after it rains or after I wash the car on the right side of the right floorboard. I can't figure out where it's coming from. I check above where the water is but I don't see where any has come in. Could it coming from under the carpet? could this have something to do with the sunroof (I've already sealed it off from outside with silicone)???

Thanks for your help in advance..

Bc

[IvoryJ30t]

i have the same thing. how long have you had the car?

its a symptom of a replaced windshield. it needs to be resealed.

[Q451990]

May also be a clogged drain from the sunroof area. I think a small tube goes through the a-pillar near the windshield. Best way I've found is to remove as much of the interior trim as possible, then have someone spray the car with water and look for it coming in. A sheeting action (no sprayer) seems to work better since the water tends to work it's way down into the cracks and crevices better.

Heath

[NISTECH]

how good did you seal the sunroof with silicone? I am thinking its drain too possibly plugged.

[escavetta]

were you able to solve it?

My '96 G20 has the same leak (front passenger floorboard), even though the sunroof drain holes are clear (as far as I can see) and the air intake grille in front of the windshield is clear as well.

The Infiniti Dealer told me it would cost $275 for them to look for the leak, but could not guarantee that they would find it.

So for the moment, at the start of the rainy season here, I am living with a musty smelling car... As a temporary fix, I have put DampCheck containers to absorb some water, but when it rains the carpet is soaked anyway.

[bradgtr]

well...My leak isn't that bad and I haven't had time to look for it yet. Again, I can't understand why the sunroof would be a culpret...I mean the top is sealed.where would water drain from on the sunroof? I figure it's the front windshield or somewhere up there...You might consider getting a car cover for your j30 if it's getting soaked while just sitting there. ($40 on ebay) I'm thinking about it anyway since I'm in hot alabama with no garage.

I'm gonna get my bro-in-law to help me find the leak this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks,bc

[escavetta]

Clogged sunroof drain...

I just found my G20's leak, by putting paper towels on the floor and pouring water into the sunroof drain hole (right side). All of the water I poured in dripped right down onto the interior floor (the street beneath the car was totally dry).

I'll probably get it fixed somewhere, rather than tearing off all the trim to find it, since I park it on the city street. Will let you know how much it costs. (gulp...)-es

[IvoryJ30t]

oh man, when i get around to playing with my car, i gotta check the sunroof drain. maybe its not the windshield after all.

[bradgtr]

Guys...Well...made a little progress today with the leak. I remove the big piece of trim and did the water spraying test. It took probably 30-45 mins. but the water eventually did start coming down a little. The water is leaking from a black, round cylinder underneath the glovebox (blower?) not sure what it is but it has a couple of small slits (vents) at the bottom. the water is dripping from those slits. I can also push on this cylinder and see water seep from the seal where the thing is screwed onto another piece (which leads me to belive this thing is filling up with water)...Other than that, I'm clueless as to where the water is leaking in from. BTW, does the black piece that runs the length along the windshield (contains the windshield wipers) suppose to move? Or should it be sealed against the windshield? It isn't sealed on either side well and moves but only the passenger side leaks so I'm not sure it's relevent.Any help in identifying anything here would be great. Also, I'm really confused as how this could have anything to do with the sunroof.

1994 J30

Thanks so much guys..

Brad

[VimyJ]

Mine is solid. Could be you found your leak. There are tubes attached to the drains on the sunroof. Where these empty out, I have no idea.

[NISTECH]

this cowl cover(black thing at base of window) covers the intake port for your fresh air into the car when operating the heating and A/C system. if i get what you are discribing you have water pouring out of your blower motor. the intake is directly above the blower motor. are you spraying water directly into the cowl cover? there should be a drain for your evap case it may be plugged and the water or condensation from your evap core is running over and onto the floor. you need to look under the hood on the passenger side for a black nipple near the bottom once you find it poke a smell screw driver in it and see if water comes pouring out.

[bradgtr]

NISTECH:

The black piece I'm referring to is on the outside of the car. It's not the on the inside on top of the dash. (Just making sure we are talking about the same piece)I'm just sprraying water all over the car and this leak happens when it rains and the car is sitting in the rain.

thanks, any clearer?

bc

[NISTECH]

yes I am also talking about the peice on the outside of the car at the base of your windsheild.

[bradgtr]

Ok...it's gonna rain today so I went ahead and silicone sealed the windshield to the black piece (cowl cover) where it was loose. I will at least get to see if that is the problem. If it doesn't leak today , then that was it.

BTW, Does this car have two blowers? I think I reconize one on the driver's side just inside the hood and if this is a blower underneath the glovebox. The thing under the glovebox isn't the ECU is it?

Thanks again guys,Brad

[bradgtr]

no luck. It rained. The leak continues. Dripping from the black cylinder underneath the glovebox. Now I really am not sure what to do. at some point I guess maybe I should take it to Infiniti dealer and show them where the water is dripping from and see what they say. (maybe I'll take ut to a local guy first)...Any other heads up from you guys?

Thanks,Bc

[Q451990]

Any leak under there will probably drip off of the fan motor. If you can remove the motor from the evaporator housing, you may be able to see up higher.

Heath

[VimyJ]

Damn! Now I have the exact same leak! I got the salt washed off the car today and noticed as I was getting out of the car that there was a small spot of water on the floor mat. I take the regular Infiniti mats out and replace them with some matching rubber ones for the winter. Sure enough, directly above this little puddle is that hole above the glove box and itss wet. Son of a bich! And I have little time in the next few days to get serious on this problem. Son of a bich!

[NISTECH]

it sounds like your air inlet for your heater/ A/C system is taking in water. switch your systems to recirculate turn your key to the on position and do the water leak check again. if the water quits flowing in you need to figure out whats missing under your cowl screens to prevent water from entering the intake for the fresh air mode.

[escavetta]

hello again- I think I have fixed G20's leak. After checking under the ceiling liner, and pulling off my glove box (to no avail), I took off the carpeted trim just in front of the door hinge (where the "Nissan ABS Ltd." device is located) and found the bottom end of the sunroof drain hose (clear plastic tube) sitting there. Apparently, it had gotten pulled out of the drain hole within the frame in front of the door, moved to the inside of the car, and then trim had been replaced on top of it, such that it was hidden from view. (I do not see how it could have gotten there on its own, as the trim had to be physically unscrewed to squeeze the tube under it). The scary thing is that I have only gotten my car serviced at the local Infiniti dealer. (I won't name names, but it is near San Francisco). I hope that it was an oversight and not done intentionally. I re-threaded the hose back into the car's frame, and so far it seems that the car is dry, but I cannot get the musty mold smell out. This might be a place to check on yours cars as well...

[VimyJ]

Good work. I hope you've fixed your leak. The J30 problem mentioned seems to be somewhat different. Still haven't had time to get down and dirty. Need an oil change bad and that's all I have time for tomorrow.

[bradgtr]

ok. I did the sugguested turn air to recirculate and then did the water test. No leak. SO the leak, I assume, is coming in through the intake...now if someone could guide me to where this intake is? and how to get to it...This is the breakthrough I've been looking for..I owe it to you guys:)

BTW, Couldn't I just turn the air to recirculate everytime it rained or I washed my car as a worse case senerio??

Thanks again guys,Bc

[bradgtr]

...btw..air inlet for the ac/heat..not intake..(thanks. nistech:)