This is a picture of a hole in the passenger side wheel well.

For those with sun roofs, I realize the water can be coming from many sources other than blocked or disconnected sun roof drain tubes, but it just takes a couple of minutes to raise the sunroof to access the rear drains, and move it rearward to access the front drains, and pour water into the drains in each corner. If the water you pour in drains out the front of the rear wheel housing (rear drain holes) or the rear of the front wheel housing (front drain holes) then you know the problem is not with the sunroof drain tubes.

This check is quick, requires no tools, and will help you determine if the water is coming from the sunroof drains or not.

If the problem is with the sunroof drain tubes, the easiest fix is to replace the tubes. If you reach that point and don't know what to do, send me a PM and I will describe it to you.

If the water is not coming from the sunroof, in my experience the next likely culprit is the door water shields. To access the water shields, you have to remove the door trim panels. The water shields are large sheets of plastic that are sealed to the door inner sheet metal with butyl tape (black, sticky stuff). This plastic directs water in the door down to drain holes at the bottom of the door, and keeps it out of the passenger compartment. It is common for the butyl to dry out and separate, leaving a path for water into the car. Examine the seal created by the butyl all around the water shield. If it has separated, you can buy rolls of butyl at any body supply store. Ask for the stuff used to install windshields in older cars. If you install new butyl, make sure you don't cover the three drain holes at the bottom of the door, on the inner face. The butyl goes below the holes, not above, so the holes are contained in the area of the water shield that is sealed off from the passenger compartment.

I don't have experience with fixing trunk leaks, so if the sunroof and doors are not the source of your leak, let me know what you find and how you fix it.

I would check the door seal i had had an issue with a leaky door seal and it caused my wires for my windows to corrode and my power door locks also stopped working. The best way to check is to sprey the driver door with water and see if it leaks.. If it does there will be a small pool of water by the step of the drivers side door. Hope this helps...

My trunk leaked. But I pulled those little black rubber nipples? If you open truck they are on the bottom of the trunk lid by the low part of deck lid (hole pluggers as my girl friend calls them). and truck is dry now... My spare tire used to get soaked in a rain storm. And i drill 2 holes in the low spots and brush some anti rust stuff on the holes. Just my 2 cents.

I managed to get the leaks in my passenger compartment taken care of, but my trunk is still taking on water. I drilled the holes, same as you. I will take a look to see what you mean by "hole pluggers".

By the way, I just sent you a PM.

2KG4U, I need your expert knowledge on how to replace the drain hose on the front passenger side of my sunroof. I tried PMing you, but I have to have 15 posts to do so. Can you please email me the info at xxxxx@xx.com I added spaces to avoid spam. Thank you in advance!


Disrespecting and violating our Rules and Terms of Service won't get your questions answered any quicker than using our Forum as we set it up. It will only get you and your IP'* Banned. Forums are setup for all to participate and share info. ~VENOM~ Senior Admins

I have the same problem, but found out it is from the fact that the top of my right rear wheel well is totally rusted away on the top half. I have been searching the net for replacement steel wheel wells, but cannot find a thing. Any suggestions here?

i too have had the leaks. first off i found that i had wet carpeting in the usual places the front and rear floorboards. i removed my interior and carpet, water checked, and with the help of a previous forum from another bville forum found the source was my sunroof drain tubes. i removed the parking brake assembly cut a hole in the rubber shield behind it and found the loacation of where the plastic drain tube meets the rubber drain tube where it separates, put it back together and clamped it. and repeat for the other side. its a little tight up there but believe me it can be done. i thought i was really out of the woods and reinstalled all and months later discovered i had more water in the usual places. i found that after a rain or really soaking down the window belt moulding that if you open the door there will be water sitting on top of the weather stripping at the bottom of the door opening. my leak was coming from the plastic shield inside the door and i cleaned and rebutoled all the doors which had all let go. also pay attention to the clips that hold the door panel on. these clips have a foam donut on them for a reason and they will take on water too if the donut is missing. if you have to buy new clips and or use rtv on old collapsed donuts do so. and have somebody help with a garden hose it really helps.