HELP! Water Leak!

[Joe Deb Vette]

Need all your help out there...my 94 Vette has started to leak, and have no idea on where to begin to try and find the source. It has never been in an accident, so there is no body damage, and it started out of nowhere. (I've had the car since 96) Appears to be coming from the firewall on the passenger side somewhere. Are there any drains that could be plugged? Anyone ever hear of any others leaking? It it outside primarily as I have a 62 Nova that's in the garage, so this is a real issue. I hate to have to rip out the carpets, so hoping there is an "easy fix".

Thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[Joe Deb Vette]

Just posted a thread on the "General Discussion" page, but wanted to make sure it was seen here too. My 94 has started to leak, somewhere in the passenger side firewall I think. Is it possible something may be plugged? Hoping I don't have to rip out the carpets to find the source of the leak. Car is in perfect shape, never in an accident, don't know how this could have happened...

My 62 Nova is in the garage, so this is a real issue!

Thanks in advance for the help...

 

[Vettefan87]

I merged your threads so your replies would all be in the same place. It might be the heater core. I think it is in the same location you are talking about. If you turn your defroster on does the inside of the window fog up?

 

[Joe Deb Vette]

When I turn on the defroster it does not fog up the windows to my knowledge, unfortunately moisture is building up inside from the dampness, so it's hard to tell. What other "tests" could I run on the heater core? Where is it located?

Thanks!

 

[jmccloud]

Passenger side water

Check your A/C condensate drain. I don't know where it is on your model but on most cars its on the bottom of the evaporator housing, visible on a lift behind the right front wheel and in front of the passenger floor pan. Sometimes a 1/4" hose, sometimes a 1" diameter rubber flap.
If it's plugged, condensate can leak into the passenger side carpet, much like a heater core leak. But, the condensate leak won't smell like antifreeze.
Good luck and please post when you find it.
PS The heater core is above where the passenger's toes would be. It's a bear to fix.

 

[John '85]

I have the same problem! I have an '85 and when I drive home from work at 11pm I sometimes need the heater or defroster. I see water drops running up the driveway after I shut down. Smells and feels like water, I got on the ground and see it dripping just aft of the firewall on the passenger side.
I'll look for the drain line to see if it is clogged.

 

[Dougs91]

Also check your vent drains. They can get clogged, and water can get into the car that way as well. Doug

 

[John Robinson]

Wet your finger with the water and taste it. If it is sweet than you have a leak in the heater core. If it is not sweet then look at the other possibility's that have been suggested.

 

[Toms007]

Check the drains in the "well" right under the wipers. There is a drain there that can get plugged and water can run into the interior from there. This might be the same as the "Vent drains" that Dougs91 is talking about.

You do need to check for certain that it is clean water and not antifreeze as some have suggested.

 

[Paul Higg]

I had the same problem with water puddling on the garage floor, it was crystal clear, not anti-freeze, not washer fluid. I discovered that it was the evaporator draining. After reading the FSM I realized that on my 94 LT1 ALL buttons on the climate control panel except the last two on the right (except the windshield and rear defogger) are in air conditioning mode all the time. So now when I park it I always leave the climate panel on one of the two right buttons. No more puddles. The evaporator was just doing it's job and dumping condensation.

Paul