Hey, Why is My Car Leaking Water?

The proof image shows rainwater from the front windshield seal leak on the dash.

A customer dropped off their vehicle in the shop after returning it from a car wash and noticing water droplets on the dash. At first, they thought the side windows were not up all the way. However, they took it for a wash again and still found droplets.

The technician did not notice anything about the customer's concerns on the test drive.

During the vehicle health inspection, the shop didn't notice anything about the problem. So to further investigate the issue, the customer approved additional tests.

The mechanic inspected the seals around the doors, the windshield, and the sunroof and couldn't spot leaks. Then, they used a smoke machine to force smoke around the windows, doors, and sunroof seams.

Finally, the technician went around the front windshield and found a spot in the right-hand corner where smoke was sneaking between the window and the frame. As a result, the front windshield will need to be resealed.

The proof image shows a gap in the shrunken weather strip, allowing incoming air to create a whistling noise.

A customer dropped off their vehicle after hearing a whistling noise from the passenger's rear window while driving on the freeway. They tried to roll the windows further up, but the whistling continued. The sound was especially louder in windy conditions.

The technician verified a whistling noise from the rear passenger area on the test drive.

During the vehicle health inspection, the shop found nothing about the customer's concerns. Therefore, to further investigate the issue, the customer approved additional tests.

The mechanic used a smoke machine to force smoke around the window seal and back passenger door, discovering a spot where smoke was coming in.

Upon further inspection, the technician noticed that the weather strip around the rear passenger door had shrunk and would not stay in place. As a result, the back passenger door weather strip will need to be replaced.

The proof image shows the stained headliner, which proves that the sunroof weatherstrip is failing and there's fluid leaking inside the cabin.

A customer dropped off their vehicle after hearing the wind louder than usual inside the cabin. Also, they noticed some stains on the headliner. They tried to identify if the seal around the sunroof or the front windshield was leaking, but they couldn't tell where it was coming from.

On the test drive, the technician noticed the stain on the headliner but nothing else related to the customer's concerns.

During the vehicle health inspection, the shop didn't notice anything related. However, to further investigate the issue, the customer approved additional tests.

The mechanic inspected the seal around the front windshield and the seal around the sunroof and found them good. Next, they blew smoke in the car using a smoke machine and had an assistant enter the vehicle to see if they could spot smoke entering the front windshield or the sunroof. Finally, the technician saw smoke around the sunroof's sides.

Using a particular type of smoke blower on the car, the auto shop can determine if there's a passageway for smoke to sneak inside the cabin. Consequently, it'll be easier to spot a problematic sealing if smoke succeeds in entering the vehicle.

Upon further inspection of the seals around the sunroof, signs of wear and stiffness appeared. Therefore, the outer seal of the sunroof will need to be replaced.

The proof image shows condensed water coming from the air box drain tube during normal air conditioning operations. That regular on vehicles with a functioning air conditioner system.

A customer dropped off their vehicle upon noticing a puddle of clear liquid underneath it when parked. They thought something was wrong with the cooling system, causing antifreeze to leak onto the ground.

The technician noticed nothing about the customer's concerns on the test drive or the vehicle health inspection.

The mechanic raised the vehicle onto the lift and noticed water on the ground. They traced the water up to the drain hose of the evaporator air box drain. The technician informed the customer that this was normal behavior for this vehicle.

So, the water wasn't leaking because of a faulty part or damaged seal; the droplets were expected per the vehicle's build. In summary, water expelled by air conditioners through the car's underside is ordinary.

The proof image shows a broken washer hose under the front cowl, close to the engine compartment.

A customer dropped off their vehicle after the windshield washer would not spray washer fluid onto the windshield. They said they could hear it pumping, but it didn't dispense. After trying to pump it a few times, blue washer fluid leaked underneath the vehicle behind the driver's side.

On the test drive, the technician tried to use the windshield washer system, but nothing sprayed on the windshield, verifying the customer's report.

During the vehicle health inspection, the shop topped off the washer fluid reservoir and saw no leaks. The mechanic then tried to operate the washer system and heard the pump running. However, fluid leaked from behind the driver's wheel instead of spraying on the windshield. To further investigate the issue, the customer authorized additional tests.

The technician couldn't verify where the fluid was coming from and needed to disassemble the wipers and remove the front cowl to access the tubing underneath.

The mechanic inspected underneath the cowl while an associate ran the washers and found a cracked hose in the washer assembly. Unfortunately, it will need to be replaced.