2003 Impala Sedan

[Frank173]

Need information on passenger side water leak after heavy rain. Passenger mat is covered with water, but no sign as to how it got into car. Anybody else ever have this problem?

[maxwedge]

You will need to strip out the trim, seats, carpet and kick panel, then water test the car with a helper and get under the dash and start looking, remember water leaks can be tricky you must find the source not just where you see it enter the body. Dry the carpet and padding or mildew will form.

[bigrod118]

no dont do that, this is a normal problem, but im not exactly sure what it is. I think that its either a seal at the windsheild that isnt sealing anymore, or there is a rubber gasket thing by the cabin air filter that comes loose and makes a way for water to get in. or there is something wrong with the heater core or HVAC system, I cant remember what exactly it is right now, but you can always do a search and you should find it.

[maxwedge]

No don't do that?, ok leave the soaked carpet and padding in there to mildew!!!

[SpinnerCee]

The passenger side water leak is common to 200x Impalas -- sometimes it is caused by the cabin vent seal in the passenger side cowl area corner, but more often it is caused by a buildup of debris that enters the duct through the screen that covers the opening -- This debris is small enough to build up inside the case, blocking the case drain -- This is diffucult to clean without disassembling the unit because the small stuff like dirt and small leaf bits that get inside almost forms a cement that cannot be removed easily by say a coat hanger run through the drain tube in the door jamb area.

The leak will get worse, eventually damaging the blower motor resistor that controlls the fan speed such that it will only work on the high [5] setting.

I have just had the [case] cleaning and blower motor resistor module replacement done by the dealer, so I'll let you know how long it lasts -- I feel the cover to the case on the cowl is the problem, so I intend to place a finer filter [ie paper/fabric] over the opening [screen] to block the really fine dirt, leaf bits, and seeds etc... from getting inside in the first place.