04/08/2021
I found this on-line at Drving.ca. and thought I would share a very good article...LEAKPRO does not recommend spray foam for use on any vehicle!
Water, Water Everywhere
While fairly straightforward to diagnose, not many shops like to do water-leak repairs
Author of the article:
Brian Turner
Publishing date:
March 19, 2021 • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
Photo shows mould in car belonging to Crystal and Patrick McLaughlin-Gray in Sussex, NB. The family has developed a range of health problems - from nausea to dizziness, lung infections and breathing problems - that seem to be associated with their car, which turned out to be infested with mould, and has a defect that allows water to leak inside. They have been fighting the manufacturer - Kia - for months for compensation. (for story by Tom Blackwell) PHOTO BY CRYSTAL MCLAUGHLIN
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Water leaks in a vehicle can be a real nightmare. Beyond the aggravating inconvenience of musty odours and damp seats, they can cause a host of corrosion related electrical problems as well as mold and mildew health concerns. The problem with getting things fixed is that few shops of any type like to do water-leak repairs. It’s enough of a concern that independent specialists such as LEAKPRO have sprung up to take care of these jobs.
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While repairing a water leak might involve skills and tools the average car owner doesn’t possess, pinpointing the cause of the leak seldom requires specialized knowledge. The overwhelming reason for most vehicle water leaks is a seam sealer failure. Either the factory (or a windshield replacement shop) didn’t apply enough sealer) or the sealer dried out and cracked.
About the only exception to this is a sunroof. Most sunroof leaks stem from a plugged water drain. There are usually 4 such drain tubes located at each corner of the sunroof tray. They’re comprised of narrow rubber tubes that take water out of the frame tray and channel it down to the undercarriage, usually at the rear of the front wheel wells and at the front of the rear wells.
The first thing to determine with a water leak is whether it’s coming from the upper or lower sections of the body. Upper water leaks usually appear when either the vehicle is parked or in motion, whereas lower leaks mostly happen when driving over water soaked roads. There really aren’t any special mechanical skills or tools required to narrow down the source of a leak. A garden hose and a helper inside the vehicle is pretty much all it takes. When you’ve spotted the water coming in, simply mark it with a piece of tape. If you end up taking your vehicle in for repairs, this can cut down on the tech’s time considerably.
If the headliner needs to be removed or taken down, proceed with caution. These fragile fabric roof liners are easily bent and in late model vehicles they hide side curtain airbags, which are also easily damaged. Unless you know what you’re doing, this job is best left to the pros. If the windshield is the source of the leak, avoid the temptation to remove any molding and fill the gap with some household sealer. The actual seal is located a few inches in from the edge and filling the gap between the glass edge and the sheet metal won’t do much to stop a leak.
Water collecting in a spare-tire well in the trunk is usually caused by a rotted rubber body plug. You can get replacements from a dealership or most auto parts stores if you can bring them in a sample to match.
On older rides, a can of expandable foam sealer can solve a lot of water leaks but as this stuff is very porous when it sets, it can hold moisture leading to metal corrosion. It should only be used as a last resort and even then in small quantities. Use too much and it can surround and envelop components and wiring you may need to access in the future for repairs.
