2nd Gen Water Leak

Hey everyone,

So long story short there’s a leak in my 2005 Tacoma that is causing water to build up on the passenger side floor.

At first I had zero clue where it was coming from but finally traced the interior location of the leak. It is coming from the kick panel location from what seems to be a body seam when I look far enough inside.

My question is where is the external location of this leak at this point. It comes trickling down the side of the kick panel wall behind all the electronics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you your windshield replaced ever? This is often a fault where is puddles down by the floor there.

If you are sure it is by the kick panel then check for hammering of the fender well. Use, The Right Stuff, to seal it up if/when you find it. You can get it off Amazon, but use gloves as it is very messy caulking.

 

Have you ever had the windshield replaced?

You could pop the hood and remove the cowl just below the windshield.
The one that has the vents in it for the Fresh Air Intake of the A/C. Once removed you will be able to see more.

 

Hey thank you for the reply!

It does look like the windshield was replaced in the past but not by me. I’ve had the truck for two years and it just started doing this maybe 3-4 months ago.

As for the hammering of the fender well. Are we talking about the interior part or from the outside fender well?

 

I have not replaced it but looks like it has been in the past. However this just started recently and I’ve had the truck for two years now.

As for the cowling yeah I’m going to pull it right now and look around.

 

A windshield repair shop can smoke check the glass for the seal.

The hammering would be behind the wheel where it would contact the fender well from the outside as it articulates through the suspension cycle. Sometimes, instead of tubbing, we just hammer the crap out of the fender to clear bigger tires. It can create opening or breaks in the pinch weld and allow water in that splashes up off the road.

Just some ideas to help

 

Once you look in there you’ll see why the cabin filter gets all kinds of stuff on top of it.
Just a big hole there, might as well clean out the area when you are in there.

Here is a DIY on how to get to it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cabin-air-intake-screen-mod.566441/

I didn’t do the screen mod on my truck.
Just cleaned it out after have a bunch of leaves on my filter.
Probably should have, but didn’t know about this mod until afterwards.

 

So took it all apart and did see leaves and debris in the cabin filter from above. Didn’t think much of it until I felt around the edges of the plastic box/enclosure where the foam is and seemed to me as if it was a little damp.

I made a make shift drain over the opening so that if water come down the windshield it goes off to the sides and not anywhere near the inside of that hole. Left my seat and glove box out of the car for now to monitor it over the next couple days. I’ll check back in later this week!

Thank you everyone.

 

If that is not the source could be a clogged AC drain. If coolant is going down a leaking heater core.

 

Good thought.
Easy enough to check.

Try here for location.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-on-frame-with-a-c-drain-mod-fix.444138/#post-12942289

 

Here is a TSB for that leak:
The TSB will tell you where to look and how to fix the seam leak. It was a known issue on some 2005 Tacoma's.

http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old/files/tsb/BO00405r-05-Leak.pdf

 

This is absolutely amazing .... I think this is it. It’s pouring outside right now but this looks like it.

If this fixes the leak I have to figure out how to ship you a six pack of beer!

 

I hope it does you well!

 

Any update yet?

 

Just got back from Canada a couple hours ago and the first throng I did was take apart the cowl, buy some 3M seam sealer and go to work lol.

Its supposed to rain tomorrow so I guess we’ll find out then. Keeping my fingers crossed that this does the trick. If not, step two is too take the fender off and start checking all the inner fender seams as well. I will keep you posted!

 

This guy really wants his beer

 

LOL.

Not really. I just like to know the outcomes of subjects I post in.

Curiosity killed the cat I guess.

 

Reporting back in!

So it rained pretty good yesterday afternoon and today early morning. Typically after rain line that, I would have at least a small puddle of water under the passenger carpet.

The results? So far so good! I was able to pat down the entire carpet and no water stains appeared due to water. Can’t thank you enough JimmyH. Even if it does return I know what the next steps are because of the TSB document you shared.

There are reports of more rain later this week so I’m curious to see what the outcome is the second time around, I will update this thread again with those results as well.

 

I will PM you JimmyH's address to ship the beer.

 

lmao please do so!