Expert: Sean Halliday - 4/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1999 Toyota Camry. A few days ago I noticed that the rear passenger
side floor was soaked. The floor behind the driver was only a little wet near
the hump in the middle of the floor. It had rained about 3 days prior. I checked
the windows and none were open. I brought the car into a local mechanic who
could not find anything wrong with it. He said it was water and not antifreeze
or windshield wiper fluid. He also did a "smoke" test and found no leaks into
the car. I brought the car home and vacuumed the water out with a WetVac. The
next day the floor was still a little wet but not soaked. It rained about 1/10th
of an inch today. When I checked the floor, I noticed a water buildup where the
bottom of the rear seat meets the floor. The rest of the floor was dry. It is to
be noted that we have not used the A/C since last summer. Would you know what
can be the potential causes of this problem?


ANSWER: If all doors are closed and door rubbers are ok i have found that the windshield is usually the fault.The rear windshield may need sealed with a water strip sealant available from the parts store with a special gun to apply.Seal all the way under the rubber between the windshield and body.Best way to test is a hose.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. I have noticed condensation buildup on the rear windshield in the morning. Does that mean there maybe a leak? The only thing that confuses me is that everything else in the car including the seats etc. are dry other than the floor itself.

Answer
Condensation on the inside is normal.It happens that when the water hits the windshield it will find the easiest way to earth usually via the frame.The inner door pillars are always good for this as is the frame at the rear of the seat,hence the wet floor.Also,check the trunk rubber is ok and not torn as it will run into the floor in the trunk and down inside below the seat.If it were me,i would take out the seat and hose the window and watch where it comes from.Give it a good hosing all around the window,trunk lid and rear end.Including the rear side windows,especially at the top of the doors.Be sure the doors are a good tight fit with the body.