leak

we have a 2003 Tacoma; have noticed that it has started leaking on the passenger side. It isn't the heater coil; we have sealed around the windshield and that hasn't stopped it; what are the other options??? There was a puddle of water in there this morning! Got to get this STOPPED.

 

Welcome to the site. Only possible leaking that can occur on the passenger side would be the heater core as it's on that side. Water can get through a bad seal on the windshield but I have not really seen that happen even with super old cars. You're best bet is to identify which fluid is making the puddle. If it's sweet smelling or tasting even, it's coolant and will be from the heater core. Unfortunately if it is, that is a pain in the ass to replace as the dash has to come apart. Either that or totally bypass the heater core which means no heat whatsoever.

 

I have had a mechanic check the heater coil and run it. Heat works great and has dried the floor out already several times. There is no sweet smell to this. Is there a drain or something near a fire wall that can get stopped up? My husband mentioned something about this and I'm just trying to find another solution without having to replace the windshield IF that is the problem. I put a tarp over the windshield last night and the puddle was worse this morning which makes me think the water is coming from somewhere else. The grate at the top of the hood was not fully covered...

 

I think the AC drain hose is on that side but that's in the engine compartment. You mentioned tarp so I am guessing it had been raining?

Also even if the heat is working doesn't mean the core isn't leaking. The heater core behind the dash is most likely to leak after being used and not during. Check the coolant tank and the radiator. If it is low, fill it and use the heater again and if the next morning it is low, then there's a leak in the cooling system somewhere which in this case would most likely be the heater core.

You can also check under the dash to maybe trace where liquid is coming from. Tape up the outside surrounding of the windshield and the grate on top of the hood to see if that stops any leaks. I'm really doubting the windshield at this time unless there's an obvious gap on the seal that would cause a puddle in the cabin.

 

It's been raining like the 40 day flood around here! I will check these things when he gets home from practice today! Thank you for these ideas. He didn't go anywhere yesterday and the truck wasn't run at all. There was a nice puddle in the floor this afternoon. It's not supposed to rain this weekend so hopefully we can get out there and look more leaking. Thanks again!

 

You're welcome. Hopefully it's the rain and not the heater core as if it wasn't used and still had a puddle. Use a bigger tarp and cover the windshield along with the hood. My first car was a 1974 VW bug (no heater core) and I taped up the windshield and the hood grate to find that leak and in my case, it was the windshield seal.

 

Have you checked the roof or door seals?
Fire wall would be a place to look as well.

 

checked the roof and door seals, they all look good. Sealed the windshield completely (hopefully). This is only a recent problem. Since it is really centered on the passenger side that is where my focus is. If it will ever stop raining in GA we will be able to dig around under the hood and try and trace it. I will keep it tarped tonight but he will have to go to school tomorrow and unfortunately sit it out in the open and RAIN.

 

DriverSound-we had a car for our daughter and it leaked like a shower head was awful!! I will make sure the whole hood and windshield are covered when he gets home today and hopefully there won't be any more puddles in the am

 

The passenger door and door seal would be a good place to check as suggested here. I've seen where the holes on the bottom of the door was gunked up and heavy rain was filling the door and water was seeping through the speaker hole into the cabin.

Put a dry rags under the dash and also by the passenger door and see which gets soak.

 

When dry...no rain...
Run the A/C for 15 to 20 minutes...look for water dripping (as it should from the condenser).
If no dripping, the drain hose is blocked (usually from mold or dust and sand).

Hose drips,...ok move on...

Run a garden hose over the vent (NOT ON THE windshield).

Your Taco is a first generation, so I'm not sure if it has a cab air filter like the 2005 to 2015)?
The filter is in back of the glove box and quite easy to remove.
The idea being, that you can remove the filter (which is horizontal ),..and look inside the box with a flashlight for water coming into the cab via
the heater or a/c....or not...

Also ,if it were the heater core, you'd be getting a sweet smell in the cab.

 

also try checking the firewall area, crawl under the dash with a flashlight to see if there's any evidence of water leaking. possible cowl rust hole through fire wall.