Big time leak problems

[Hoser'd]

I've got a 96 GA se and i am getting massive leaking under my dash from door to door it seems to just run down the firewall. Is it possible it's my windshield? or is there somwhere else big that it could leak from?
I tried to take the black grill of from below the windshield but couldn't get the wipers off must be some kinda trick.

any help is much appreciated

[tommy00gt1]

It would help to know if it leaks only when it's raining.... or all the time. Also, is your heater/defroster affected at all? (loss of heat) ??? Almost sounds like a heater core; but need more info.............

[xeroinfinity]

its probly leaking behind the strut towers.
They used some rubby caulk that drys out and opens up,
then air and water leak into your floors.

Usually requires the carpet and stuff off the floor and firewall to find the leak(s). Using a hose and someone looking under the dash can help locate the area better.

Just my

[gmack221]

they both make good points of things to check, if it smells sweet and is antifreeze then it sounds like a heater core (should also steam up the windshield), if its water it could be plugged drain on the firewall going to the heater core box (condensation built up over time and is coming out your lower vents), or it could be the caulk behind the strut towers (if it only does it when it rains), I doubt its a leaky windshield unless you have just had it replaced, but anything is possible.

back to the question you had about getting the wipers off, there are 2 styles gm uses (not sure which one is on the 96)
-one has a plastic piece that you have to remove from the base of the wiper arm, remove starting at the base, it has one clip by the shaft end, then it exposes a nut that needs to be taken off, then it needs to be gently removed by rocking or prying slightly, don't hit the cowl (plastic piece you can't get off) since i've seen people break windshields that way.
- the second simply has a tab under the wiper arm you need to push up (bent tool works the best) then it simply lifts up while holding that tab, this is by far the simplest one of all.

hope this helps, post your results to help other readers, or more questions.

[xeroinfinity]

gmack221,
i think he was asking about the whole wiper arm, not jsut the blades.
They are 13mm nuts under the black caps. Then you have to pry them up off the shaft.

*Note where they sit before you remove the wiper arms.

[Hoser'd]

so i pulled this mess apart again, and i think your right about just behind the strut towers somewhere along that sealed join it's seperated. now my problem is how to seal it. I can't see where it is leaking exactly (it's a rather large joint) and i can't easily get at most of it. So how would you guys go about sealing this gap? i'm thinkin about that "greatstuff" house sealant, but it's prolly not a good ideaopcorn:



any help is apreciated

[xeroinfinity]

I have used silicone sealant but not that expanding foam

Reason being it can hold moisture in the air pockets in the foam and rust/rott the metal making the leak worse.

I think parts stores carry the black sealant for this.
Might be pricey though.
And either way its a PITA (a contortionists nightmare)to get to from under the hood.
I try and seal it from inside the cabin then try and get to the other side, under the hood.
You can use a paint stir stick(or putty knife) to spead the goop into the crack(s).

Good Luck !

[Hoser'd]

Well it started as a little hole then i began picking away the rust and rot now i got a 3" by 1" gash and a 1" diameter hole beside it. It's just under that black insulated plastic peice that go's up in-behind the dash, it's right at the bottom along the seam, worst place possible. so short of cutting and welding i dunno what the hell to do. all of a sudden this car might be a
right-off

after having studied the problem at great length it's 100% design flaw, the water/dirt sitting on the frame rail there have caused massive rot damage, this wouldn't be an issue exept they pointed the drivers side drain hole from underneth the cowl right at the frame rail, which supports the floor seam, which never dried out, Bah!

[xeroinfinity]

I think It was designed to flex at those points in the body.
I was hoping yours hadnt gotten that bad....

Well I have welded strips in before to fix the holes.
Reall PITA to get to and weld properly but can be done.
Though the car may feel a little stiffer in the body area if you do weld in a piece. Might check/fix both sides.

And clear the drain thats up there if it has sand and gravel in it, that stuff will hold moisture causing more rott.

Keep me posted what you end up doing
and Good Luck!

[Hoser'd]

I think i got it licked now. I screwed some thin aluminum in the hole, kinda formed some new drip edges and lathered the hell out of it with thermoplastic roof repair goo. We shall see what happens.


thanks for the help

[xeroinfinity]

No Problem !

Hope it works out .