Water leaking onto Front Passenger floor

[fraser1025]

After purchasing our 2000 CRV (used) we took it to a car wash. The front passengers feet got an unexpected shower from about 8oz. of water that leaked inside. The leak stopped after we pulled away from the car wash.

It was a hot day and the A/C had been on prior to the car wash with the floor vents open.

I caught most of the leak in a clear plastic cup and it didn't smell like anything (soapy, or otherwise) and was reasonbly non-sudsy.

Is this more likely from the car wash via an open vent to the floor or from a clogged A/C drain? Where does one get access to the A/C drain should it need unclogging? I felt around and found the black hose and it appeared to be intact and properly attached.

I imagine closing the floor vent prior to car washes and rain would handle the non-A/C issues.

[bush555]

No similar experience to speak from, but I suspect that water entering the ventilation intake (just beneath the hoodline) may have overwhelmed the intake's drains and overflowed to the vent system.

If the problem recurs, the drains may be clogged with leaves or debris. A quick way to test for this is to pour a bit o' water into the intake. It should readily discharge somewhere beneath the car. If it doesn't, I'd have the drains inspected.

The A/C seems a less likely cause, but this too is easily tested. Run the A/C in the driveway for about ten minutes; a steady drip of water from the undercarriage will indicate that all is well.

Keep us apprised.

EDIT: Just tried the intake drain test -- water exits (immediately) behind the front wheels, so watch yer shoes...

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[Lehman88]

I have a '97 doing the same thing. I just bought it for my son's first car. I noticed it at the car wash also. I have not noticed it when it rains. I took it by the dealership today and the service manager advised me to take it to a glass shop to get the windshield resealed. Has anyone else had this happen? Please keep us posted on what you find out.

[2RedV's]

10:1 odds that it isn't the windshield seal.

The easiest fix is to simply put the HVAC system into recirculation mode whenever you go into a car wash.

Some people have noticed the driver and passenger side firewall seams need to be re-siliconed. Use a good outdoor sealant.

Check your hood seal at the top of the cowl as well. If it is badly torn, bent or mis-shaped, replace it with a new one from the dealer.

Last, and most common...
If you open the hood and look at where the air intake is under the plastic cowl piece, you may notice another possible source right away. The "chimney" opening for the blower intake is right there. Sometimes the foam weather stripping around the chimney ridge gets compressed or not positioned properly to keep water out. Put a new piece on the metal chimney ridge - not on the underside of the plastic cowl and you should solve the problem.

[Tarhead]

If you have a sunroof the drain hose for it in some vehicles is sometimes run down the passenger's side A pillar and exits under the fender. If the water came from this area try to remove the kick panel and verify the tygon hose is in it's grommet exiting under the floorpan.

[Lehman88]

No sunroof on my 1997 CR-V.

[Tarhead]

Oh well...What 2RedV's said then.

[2RedV's]

97's didn't have a sunroof as an available option. ;)

[pioneerman]

My '99 does leak water in this same way in the rain. It leaks pretty hard and pretty fast. I was on a road trip when this first happened in a way that forced me to notice. I couldn't call off the trip and head home, so I had to stop-gap the repair - liberal application of duct tape to the window edge and the plastic drainage beneath stemmed the tide. I'll try to get a picture up.

[clsixspeed]

I just noticed my 01 does this too.... i asked the previous owner about it and he had never experienced this.... my guess is the HVAC intake needs some resealing. I just bought the V so i havent had time to look or make repairs.