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Wet Again!!

G

Gator2000

Full Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2003
Messages
457
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
Well, my carpet is wet again :8:. Same place as before I took it into the service department....along the rear passenger side kickplate.

When I took it in, the midgate weather strip was slightly misshaped, so that appeared to be the cause. The dealership replaced the strip, and the padding under the carpet. I opened the midgate to inspect their work, and made sure to slam it tight.

I have been periodically checking the area for wetness after rains and washings since the repair, and all was good til this afternoon. I washed the truck this afternoon, and made it a point to clean inside the wheelwells as they had some mud in them. A few hours later, I checked the spot, and it was wet yet again.

I'm starting to think the water is getting in through the passenger side rear wheelwell....can't be through the midgate, as the seal is good, and there has been little or no water in the cargo bed, and I cannot see any water, or dried water stains anywhere above or around the location of the wet carpet.

Has anyone encountered this before? In your opinion, is my hunch about the wheelwell valid? Is there anywhere else I should be looking?

I have pulled up and read the TSB regarding the seams in the wheelwell that were not properly sealed in some of the early 2002 AVs, but my build date is after the dates mentioned in the bulletin.

Thanks in advance,
Gator
 
My 02 that I had was one of the first built and it didn't have seam sealer on one of the seams in the wheel well.
That was the point where the water was getting in on mine.
Does it leak when it is parked in the rain, or just when you drive on wet roads and wash out the wheel well?

Terry
 
Well, it had rained a few times after the initial service visit, and it wasn't wet back there. I had also washed it one other time after the service, and no water then either....although I didn't clean out the wheelwell that time.

I just pulled up the kickplate and sprayed the rear wheelwell on that side extensively this morning, and was watching for any signs of water, but saw none. This is really getting strange ???....I don't know how that much water could have come in yesterday when I washed, and none today when I sprayed (I probably sprayed much more water today in there than during the wash yesterday). So much water came in, that it has run up along the kick plate so far, the carpet is wet all the way up to the pillar between the front & back door on that side.

Also, could it still be possible that I have the wheelwell issue if my build date is 09/01?

Thanks for replying,
Gator
 
Gator2000 said:
Also, could it still be possible that I have the wheelwell issue if my build date is 09/01?

Thanks for replying,
Gator
Click to expand...
Yes
Mine was wet all the way up under the drivers floor mat.

Terry
 
Gator2000:

Water leaks can be very tricky. I have not had one that could not be reproduced with a water hose. The key is to have two people and to be very patient. Have one person in the truck (the observer) with the sill plate up and the carpet pulled back as much as possible. Shut the doors. The other person should flood the truck with water. Try the wheelhouse first and work up. Let the area flood for a good 10-15 minutes before ruling it out. Move the hose around a little to spread the water but work in one area at a time. Some leaks can accumulate water in a hidden area at first then spill over after that first spot fills up so be patient. Also flood the area around the rear door to rule it out.

Finally, it never hurts to test before you rule out the wheelhouse even though your truck was built after the date on the TSB. Remember that dude named Murphy!
 
Well, I'm sending my AV back into the service department Tues. for round 2 on the leak issue. I think I made a mistake the first time by pointing out the fact that the midgate seal was slightly misshaped. I believe they didn't even do a water test of their own, but simply replaced the seal and hoped for the best.

This time I'm just going to drop it off, and tell them to fix it.....let them do the leg work on finding the source of the leak.

Thanks for all the replies,
Gator
 
Good luck Gator! I dread the day that I have to take my AV in for a water leak issue like this. Keep us all posted as to what happens!


Adam
 
do you have a sunroof? I've seen others post that had problems with a clogged sunroof drain line.
 
Nope, no sunroof. Based on the "experiments" I've performed, and the occurrences of the moisture, I'm leaning towards the wheelwell issue. Although I haven't physically seen water entering the cabin during any test, I believe the most difficult to entry point to reproduce would be the wheelwell, as the water must be traveling/channeling in. Basically I think I would more easily be able to spot a leak coming from the midgate, window, doors, etc. Not to mention the fact that it rained several times after the inital repair while the AV was parked in the driveway, and I felt no moisture.

Gator
 
Gator just for your information I was at my dealership a few weeks ago they were looking at a 1500 Avalanche and the carpet under the passenger side rear seat was wet. It appears there is a area in the wheel well that was not properly sealed during assembly and this is most likely where the water is coming from it is under warranty and most dealerships are aware of the problem. Best of Luck!
 
At this point, I'm actually hoping the problem is with the rear wheelwell. If its not, then its going to take some serious detective work to figure this one out.
 
Well, took my baby in this morning :C:. They gave me a loaner Impala SS right away, so I'm not expecting to see my AV any time soon. I will update when I get word.
 
Hi. I've been reading the forums for a long time, but this is my first post.

I have an '03 Av and have been having similar leaking problems in the midgate.
Water was dripping from the passenger side of the midgate down onto the side and carpet. I was sure the midgate was shut tight, having checked and slammed it several times.

I was all ready to battle with the dealer, but I decided to check one more time to see if the midgate was properly shut. I removed the rear window and opened the gate, leaving the crossbar in place. I couldn't believe how loose and wobbly the crossbar was!

I had read in the other forum about leaking to remove the #1 panel before shutting the midgate (with crossbar attached to midgate). This is the key! Now the crossbar is rock solid!
I did a good 10 minute hose test and no leaks! (Fingers crossed.)

I know this doesn't help with those of you with wheel well leaks, but it may help some who are having midgate and rear window leaks.

Thanks to all who have helped me (hopefully) to resolve this problem.
 
How many miles on on ur Av. if problem was 1st worked on in first 18k mi. u can get some money back gm gave me 4,000 when i got alemon law lawyer and i traded for a caddy ext when igot the money
 
My truck did not leak for 2 years. Thne both rear floor boards stayed wet for a week. I started investigating and found that the drain at the migate was clogged as well as the two in the cab. Chevrolet knew water was going to come into the cab, so they installed drains. Unfortunantly we have the task of keeping these trash free or have a wet truck. One drain is under the plastic piece that the rear mat tucks under. This plastic piece snaps in and out. The drains in the cab are under the spring loaded flap that is between the midgate and bed when the midgate is down. These are the ones that are the most important to keep clear, because they are in the cab of the truck. If these drains are clogged the water runs onto the floor boards. Te water generally runs around by the kick panels and pools in the rear floor boards. Hope this hoped some folks. Until I discovered these problems I was cussing GM up and down. Still not to happy about water coming into the cab.
 
Finally! Found someone with the same problem as me!!!! I have an '02 Avalanche that I purchased in Nov. '01. Every time it rains, I get major water inside. I first notice it under my feet while I was driving. Unfortunately (or fortunately maybe) I live in Southern California, so it doesn't rain that often. Last time, they supposedly found some frame joints that were not sealed so they resealed everything. This time, they resealed everything and are driving it today - in the rain - to see if they finally fixed it. Getting tired of not having my Avalanche - rental cars are soooooo small!! :E:
 
It appears that mine was fixed.....it was the unsealed body seam issue in the rear wheel wells. Mine was built after the build date on the relevant TSB too :E:
 
Good news! Thanks! Now I know there is some hope at least!!!! :cautious:
 
:8: Funny thing - chevy just found a leak in my midgate (I had checked that before) and after 2 days, they hadn't even removed the soaking wet carpet. They drove it in the rain today, checking for leaks, but left the carpet in - duh, how stupid is that???? :E:
 
Here's a little trick we use in the autobody business. Works best on a cool day. Warm up the vehicle inside with the heater/defroster fan on full blast, and the temp up all the way. Make sure all windows and doors are shut tight. When the inside of the compartment is hot, take a bucket of soapy water and sponge it over the area you think is leaking. It will blow bubbles wherever there is an air leak. You would be surprised at the air leaks you can find. Not all are water leaks however, such as around the door handles and moldings. But if it's leaking around a glass, or other seal that gets direct wetness, there's your leak, and you can take that to the bank. Hope this helps.
 
:E:Well, I picked up my av yesterday evening - they admitted to not finding the source of the leak in front. It rained last night - and by golly, there was water inside this morning (in the back). At least before they "fixed it" again, I had to be driving in the rain. Seems they fixed it so good it caused another leak!!!! :8:
 
jhammer83 said:
Good news! Thanks! Now I know there is some hope at least!!!! :cautious:
Click to expand...

I have a 2002 that just started leaking behind the dash only when it is parked. You can see it dripping from above the emergency brake onto the mat. I took it to the glass place since I had a new windshield put in about 10 months ago. They took it out and checked it and resealed it and found no leaks.
Any Ideas?

 
southernent said:
I have a 2002 that just started leaking behind the dash only when it is parked. You can see it dripping from above the emergency brake onto the mat. I took it to the glass place since I had a new windshield put in about 10 months ago. They took it out and checked it and resealed it and found no leaks.
Any Ideas?
Click to expand...

welcome to the club...

it is either the windshield is still leaking....or maybe one of the firewall gromets....do you have the sunroof?...if so there is a drain hose which runs down the front A pillar....it could be clogged...but when clogged some see the sun visor thingy get wet where it bolts to the roof....

The e brake cable goes through the floor....so it is not it....

 
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