Expert: Sean Halliday - 3/6/2008

Question
I have a 99 Toyota Camry LE with almost 80,000 miles on it. The other day it rained really hard & when I opened the driver's side door I noticed that the carpet was soaked & the back seat carpet had standing water on the floor. The water was leaking from under the hood lock release lever (which is located underneath the auxiliary box just above & to the left of where your left foot would be). I could feel & see it dripping on my ankle.  I dried it out with towels, but its raining again today. The passenger side, both front & back floors are completely dry. What should I do to fix this? I'm in between jobs right now so I cant afford to take this problem to a dealership. Please help me.

Answer
Check that the drains for the inner fenders are not blocked by leaves and dirt as i have seen this happen over the fall.Look at the firewall between the windshield and body for any tears in the rubber seals and also the windshield rubber.It seems most likely the water is running in from the hood pull so it may be the windshield rubber.If you go to the parts store and ask them for a 3M weather seal gun and sealer they should have it.This is a simple sealer with a squeeze type gun and seal all along the windshield between the rubber and body.It will have instructions so its pretty easy to use.Check all possibilities for leaks and a good way to test where its coming from,is the garden hose.This car doesnt have a sunroof ?