Is this gap causing my leak?

Is this a big enough gap to cause water to pool in my passenger floor after a heavy rain?
My windshield was replaced about two years ago. I don't know how crucial that rubber gasket is for keeping rain out of the cab but theres a decent gap there and the windshield glass ends right about where the gap is...could it be the windshield is seated too high?

Anyways, I live in Southern MO and it's that time of year when we have torrential downpours. I got in my truck the next day after a good one and noticed my passenger side husky liner was full of water and the carpet underneath soaked as well...I can't seem to find the source.

I've plowed through several other threads about passenger side leaks and checked some other things, like the antenna grommet, which is fine, the cabin air filter is completely dry, etc. Only thing I haven't done is pulled the cowl off to make sure things in there aren't clogged and draining properly, maybe I can reseat that gasket better too.


It's a frustrating problem to have. I don't want to be stuck with a mystery leak and smelly carpet lol.

 

That's just a trim piece for aesthetic and help protect edge of glass. It could be bad sealant, if they don't clean off old sealant well, apply enough new sealant, clean the glass well before install or move the glass too much on install it can cause problems. Also check down in front of your windshield, I believe there's a drainage area that can become blocked by debris over time.

 

Take off that cowl from and you'll see the intake for the hvac on the passenger side. It's like a bucket collecting water draining directly into the passenger side floor.

I built a sheet metal flashing cover to cover it. Leaving a gap around to allow air to flow.

 

I have seen some other posts suggesting this. Most of them say that if the water is coming in through that intake vent, the cabin filter will be wet. Every time I've checked my cabin filter has been dry.

 

Check the A/C drain is not blocked and filling your heater box with water

 

It's not blocked as far as I can tell. It still drips when I run the A/C. Yesterday I even blasted a little air up the tube to be sure. Nothing came out.

 

If the cabin air filter is dry and the AC drain is not stopped up. It’s probably the windshield.

There was a TSB on seam sealer for the passenger side at one time. But I don’t think it applied to 2008. I think it was for 2006 and earlier.

 

Seems like I've seen some posts about some trucks leaking around the trim strips where the roof rails would attach and running down the A-pillar.

You can turn your blower on high (recirc off) with the windows up and doors closed and spray soapy water around the window seals, roof rack trim and any other suspect areas and look for bubbles.

Otherwise you will have to pull some trim off and have someone run water over the outside while you look around inside for the source.

 

I was having the same problem heavy rain or when I wash the truck water would get in to the cabin air filter. I did as some of the other posters have done and just put a piece of metal flashing and seal it just underneath the lip of the windshield. It keeps any water from getting in. But as stated above if your cabin air filter is dry it’s probably a windshield leak or a body seam leak somewhere up in that area.

 

Mine has the same gap. I even had the windshield redone after it cracked by a good glass guy. He told me the last glass guy failed to prime it.

the way I see it, the bottom of the glass gets glued on. So gap or no gap the glue should keep water out.

Which means you and I both likely have water coming from other places that need to be addressed, that no amount of replacing the glass will resolve.

mine does the same.
I plan to find and clean any water drains.
Install shield deflector over cabin air intake.
And clean + inspect cowling area for any cracks that could let water in. Which will be hard to see.
I have it in both sides.
The gutter piece may not be very effective design from factory either.


I have a tube of seam sealer. I just don’t know 1. Where to even apply it, and 2. How to apply it in a smooth good looking manner and how/if the surface needs to be prepped first.
For example I could squeeze the sealer out of my cheap caulk gun but that would be ugly since it comes out in a bead. As opposed to from the factory they somehow apply it in a brush like manner. I don’t know what tool/dispenser/nozzle attachment is needed to achieve that

Not sure if there any more potential causes besides those

 

The cowl has plastic u shaped clips that are supposed to fit around the bottom edge of the windshield, if the glass installer did not take care to make sure each one fits in place on that bottom edge of the windshield water can get in. Once you remove the wiper arms and then the cowl you’ll see the clips

 

Any issues since? I'm still having water leak even though I replaced the cowl but it looks like the cowl isn't sitting flush anymore either.

 

Where's your AC drain and what's the best way to clean it?