99 TC Water in passenger mat after rain

[Peter Oliver]

My passenger side matt is very wet after a rain or car wash. Any ideas??

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by Peter Oliver

My passenger side matt is very wet after a rain or car wash. Any ideas??

Close the windows on that side


EDIT: (after fixedit's post)
WOW! Excellent Writeup Bryan!! I don't believe I've ever seen this problem before. Thanks very much!!

[fixedit]

The problem is probably the same as mine. 1998-2002 LTC have this problem on passenger side. This is simple to fix but time consuming. Remove the black plastic grille that's at wiper arm on pass side ... two black plastic screws. Lift away grille ... no need to remove wiper arm. You'll see a black plastic tray surrounding a screen mesh ...tray has about five 8mm sheetmetal screws & two 11 nuts ... remove screws & nuts ... lift tray up over the two studs and then pull to pass side ... then lift tray away from car. Turn tray upside down & you'll see a thin foam gasket ... make note of it's shape and then remove gasket entirely ... use rubbing alcohol to get every bit of gasket adhesive off. then clean the car's bodywork up around where the tray was sitting ... clean it real good ... damp cloth & 409 ... followed by rubbing alcohol. Make sure both tray & bodywork are very clean & very dry. Now, for the fix ... have a tube of good quality 100% silicone sealer (I used both auto type $$$ ... and the 10-11oz tube found at Lowes/HomeDepot cheaper at $5 ... both work equally as well) on hand ... put a VERY thick heavy bead around tray where gasket was ... put another VERY thick heavy bead around bodywork where gasket did contact. DO NOT use another gasket ... the silicone will do the job & not fail. Now put the tray back in ... install & tighten all fasteners only hand-tight ... don't let the car get wet for 24 hours ... that leak on pass side front footwell is fixed. Drying out the carpet is another matter though ... best to take seats & carpet out. Each front seat has 4 fasteners & electrical connectors ... then console slips off studs ... take seat belt anchors loose ... pop plastic trim panels off that surround door openings ... lift rear seat bottom out and away ... carpet will pull right out (it's HEAVY!)... it's NOT glued in. Carpet has an integral closed cell foam backing that holds ALOT of water ... taking it out is the ONLY way I've found to dry carpet ... scrub it good w/pinesol & water & soft brush... rinse it good ... hang it up on a ladder ...allow a good 48 hours in warm dry air. Once carpet is out you'll see two foam backed black pads that're up in each footwell ... they'll be soaked too ... too much trouble to pull them out ... simply prop them up ... squeeze out as much water as you can ... then run a small ceramic cube heater at pad overnight on low. GOOD LUCK!

[fbi-interceptor]

the lat post is exactly correct. the problem is with the design of the cowl vent tray. they use a foam gasket which will eventually breakdown, its not if its when! so if you have a tc from 98-03 periodically check carpet on passenger side front and rear for dampness. also another great site for all lincoln is www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00117.html. good luck all, lloyd

[opeldean]

thank you "fixedit", i was puzzled by this problem. After a rain , i could have 1 inch of water in the back passenger seat and a wet front passenger seat.

I think i had it fixed in less that 1/2 hour. I checked it with a garden hose and NO leak! before the repair, i could see a stream drip down behind the glove box.

[Yanqui]

I had the same problem on my 98 SIGNATURE and fixed it by following this instructions http://www.lincolnsonline.com/tech/00117.html


good luck.

[djgdjg]

Very helpfull thanks for info .

[jlmonti]

Fixedit - Thanks for the resolution - I've had that leak problem from 2001 until today. Your fix worked like a charm. I used DAP® Flexible CLEAR Sealant from Home Depot. Seems to be more pliable than silicon. Eureka - No more water. Ford/Lincoln must have gave that area of the design to engineers fresh out of school. Why would anyone in their right mind use foam to seal against water intrusion. Anyway enough soap box. A message to all 98 - 02 TC owners - I will reconfirm - It absolutely is not a question of if - it's when. It will definitely leak at some point.

Thanks again.

[remark123]

You ask why? Cost! that is why. The foam will last for 2-4 years, long enough for the average owner to trade in the car...