Another wet passenger carpet thread...

I have been searching the forums this morning, checking out the various places owners have found to be the cause of their passenger side wet carpet/mat issues. Lot's of threads to go thru. Most have one thing in common,... that is that the owner noticed water on the mat or the carpet being wet.

My case is just a bit different, in that I have never seen water on the mat, or have noticed a wet carpet, although I have noticed for a long time that there is often a musty smell after a rain, and again usually when the seasons change and I move to a/c to heat or vice versa.

I recently installed the OEM remote tailgate lock, and while threading the harness up (passenger side) I noticed the matting under the carpet being quite damp. The carpet itself was not wet. There was not and has not been any signs of water on the mat, & nothing spilled. The windows have rarely been down, and never left down in a rain.

So far, the possibilities I have read about lend the problem to stem from :

1. a/c drain clogged. Mine leaves a nice puddle under the car when running the a/c, so I don't think that is the issue, although I did read where someone's issue was remedied by blowing out the drain, even though they also had the standard drip under the truck while the a/c is on.

2. Water coming in the fresh air intake, under the cowl cover. I have read this 'might' be solved by cleaning some sort of rubber seal under the cowl, that is supposed to divert/route the water away from the intake. It has helped some people. Some,... not so much.

3. Front windshield. Although not one of the most common reasons I have found so far, but I guess they have been known to leak from the factory.

4. I saw one post where a guy said he found a leak coming from a wheel well.

5. Many state it could be from a door seal, but none have verified this was their issue.

6. Unlikely in my case, I believe, but a leaking heater core is a well known cause for wet carpets. I am not loosing coolant, and there is no coolant smell to the dampness in the carpet's padding/insulation.

7. Leaking third brake light. I have noticed nothing in the back (access cab), and find it hard to believe water would find itself all the way up front to the front passenger side, but I guess it is a possibility.

There is a lot of rain expected here this week, and I think I want to troubleshoot this when it is dryer outside, and I can control water flow myself with a hose, so am basically just doing research, in prep for next weeks expected dryer weather.

If anyone has some helpful input on where they have found leaks on their 3rd Gen, or on where to start and how to go about the troubleshooting, please chime in.

 

OP,

So sorry that is happening to you. I know it can be frustrating, especially when you can't find the source of the leak.

Two simple questions for you. First, do you have an OEM roof rack installed, by chance. There have been some reports that if not properly installed you can get a slow leak that makes its way down to the floor. Might be worth checking. Second, have you looked at your air filter? Curious to know if it stinks or it is wet at all.

I had a little water on the passenger floor of my 2005 (not sure what model you have). Turned out it was the AC line. Not a leak in the hose but a slight drip where the hose connected. Doesn't appear to be your issue but it may be worth checking the entire line to see if you have any small drips, especially where it connects.

 

No roof rack installed at all, so that would not be the issue with me, but it is good to have that possibility listed here, for others who may do a search looking for solutions. Having the known 'problem spots' all listed in place could simplify it for them.

I have not checked the filter. I assume you mean the intake filter in the glove box? That would point to the air intake opening/cowling issue, correct?

 

Pull back the the weather stripping back on the top of the roof on the passenger side . There is seams where the metal over Laps and should be sealed with factory seal/ silicone . It’s right at the top passenger corner of the windshield.

hopefully all that makes sense .

 

You are talking about the black strip that runs from front to back? There is one on both the passenger and driver side? I had not considered those. Another good place to add to the list, and I will check it out. I'm guessing if that is where it is getting in, it would be running down the pillar between the windshield and the door, and collecting in the floorpan?

 

yes, those. Probably be able to see better if you take off the A-pillar with the Handel on the inside (passenger side ) and with a bottle water from the out side pour some water in that area and see if it’s trickling in from the inside .

 

GLAD I BUMPED INTO THIS THREAD CAUSE TODAY WHEN I GOT HOME FROM A RIDE WITH THE A/C ON I NOTICED WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MAT. WAS NOT ALOT ABOUT A TABLESPOON BUT STILL THAT WORRIES ME CAUSE I JUST GOT THE TRUCK ON FRIDAY AND IT IS A 2021 TACOMA TRD SPORT PREMIUM. I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER TOMORROW AND FIND OUT WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING HERE. THANKS FOR POSTING.
GILLES

 

Foot note. While your up there make sure the tape covering the ore drilled holes for a rack haven’t been punctured . It’s a thin piece of tape covering the holes .

 

It’s hard to read this when I feel like you’re yelling at us.

 

When I had my 06 I parked under pine trees a lot. Found the passenger side foot well flooded one day free a storm. It turned out the cowl gutter was clogged and it backed up into the HVAC intake. Pretty easy fix, it's worth removing the cowl and looking down in there.

 

I think so. But I am no expert.

As a side note, I applaud you for trying to create a comprehensive list of potential causes for future research purposes. Following along and hoping that you get to the source of the leak as quickly as possible ... !

 

What is involved with both the removal of the weather stripping and A pillar? Will the weather stripping just go back into place and maintain it's position, or should one be prepared with an adhesive, even if the leak is not found to be there.

How about that A pillar? How is removal and reinstallation done? I assume then would be a good time to add some padding to stop that 40 degree F squeek.

 

I was not yelling just wanted to make sure everyone could read my post lol.

 

Me too! 2K miles on 21 DCOR and noticed passenger side water after rains, happened twice. Have dealer appt. in a few days to check.

 

FWIW, I do have the OEM roof rack.

 

I contacted my buddy the service manager at the Dealer and he told me it was condensation that dripped as the weather was hot and very humid Yesterday. I only had about a tablespoon of water on the mat no big deal.Within 1 hour it was evaporated. Anyways he told me to watch and see if it happens again has the weather will not be so humid. I ran the AC for three days and it was ok but not humid. I hope he is right.

 

Def not AC related for me. I got in my truck while raining, noticed the water, open pass door and it was dripping down the side column. Sounds like I may have the roof rack issue.

 

Condensation from what? Isn't that what the drain is for? You know, that puddle of water that is under the truck from the running a/c in hot humid weather? If he is your buddy and you trust him, you have your answer, but for me there should not be water dripping inside the truck.... ever.

 

I'm not going to argue with you I trust him and have been going to his dealership for 25 years so I am sure he knows what he is talking.
Thanks

 

Today it was not as humid as Yesterday and had the AC on and no water drips.