Another water leak in my Celica

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
07/10/2016 at 13:09 • Filed to: We're taking on water Captain!

Water is getting in through my driver’s side B-pillar somehow when it rains. My seat belt, and nothing else, will be soaking wet after a drizzle. Comparing each B-pillar, everything seems to be physically in tact... could be leaking anywhere. It’s supposed to rain on and off all week. Advice?

DISCUSSION (14)

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 13:29

I’d say, “Seal it with silicone”, but if you can’t isolate the leak point, that’ll get really messy really fast (go look for RCR’s review of Silicone Sally, their Honda Fit).

Do you see any place where panels are separating or there is rust? I'd look closely at the door seals as that's the most likely point of ingress. After this many years, even in the PNW, they probably need to be replaced...

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 13:30

Three options:

Ultrasonic leak detector - hit or miss results, expensive, hard to find, almost no labor involved

Tape over possible points of origin one at a time - quick and easy, not very accurate, can take a while to be sure

Disassemble the interior and water test - best results by far, time consuming

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 13:30

Window/door seals?

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 13:57

Turn your heat on high and put dish soap suds on the suspect area. If there is enough air moving through the cabin you should see some bubbles forming at the surface. That should be your leak point.

Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 14:30

I hate chasing water leaks with a passion, but having worked at dealership and dealership affiliated bodyshops for the last 15 years, I end up doing it often.

AMGtech is right, pulling interior and water testing is the most effective and equally time consuming method.

Is it just the exposed part of the belt thats getting wet, or is it the entire reel towards the bottom of the B pillar? If it’s just the upper part, it may be a poor door glass seal seeping in. Check with a currency bill closed in the door glass, tug to check resistance/tension to seal. If you find a loose spot, that may be your point of entry. Try checking with tape and a cup of water. You may need new glass seals, or you may be able to adjust the window inward with stoppers in the door. Be careful though, too much at once can have you shopping for a new glass when you shut the door.

If it’s the reel, water is presumably getting into the body and running down. Are your quarter windows foldout? To get quarter trim out, you may need to pull the rear seat, which probably won’t be fun, but you should get a few bucks in change on the positive side.

Sunroof is usually an easy check without having to pull much apart. Pretty sure your sunroof is just a popup, but check if there’s still a frame/drain tube assembly. On newer tilt/slide sunroof vehicles, there’s a tray that sits beneath the roof to collect water, with a drain tube in each corner, usually exiting near rear wheel wells and front hinge pillars. Dirt/debris tends to pile up and block tubes, causing water to pour out into the body. If you’ve got a tray/frame, try to park/jack the car to tilt towards a corner, open (remove if it’s a popup for easiest access) the sunroof, and pour water towards the lowest corner. Rinse (no pun intended) and repeat for the remaining three. If water pools in a corner, look for the drain point. Easiest cleaning is done with pressurized air and a wand type nozzle, but a coathanger can work in a pinch. Try water again after breaking whatever is clogging the tube free, you’ll usually rinse out what was in the tube.

In any case, buy beer, good luck, and godspeed. Water leaks are a pain.

brianbrannon > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 14:49

Foot powder spray can help pinpoint the leak once you have disassembled the interior

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
07/10/2016 at 15:07

Ooooh thanks!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Out, but with a W - has found the answer
07/10/2016 at 15:08

Seem to be OK, though it does seem to be in worse shape than the other side. Possibility for sure

Berang > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 17:18

Is it a leak, or is it just crying on the inside?

yitznewton > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 18:03

Funny you should mention that; I was just watching Speed Academy where they’re tearing apart the interior of an earlier Celica. There was a flap vent in the rear pillar... dunno about the specifics on the Celica, but the analogous vent in the S2000 is prone to leaks.

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 23:27

Did it work?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
07/10/2016 at 23:35

I was working at my parents property for 8 hours. parking the Celica in the garage was as far I’ve gotten SO FAR

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/10/2016 at 23:44

Ok cool. It's not supposed to be too wet this week.

BayAreaMiataBoi > Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever
07/12/2016 at 23:29

The procedure for testing each drain from a couple of local shops:
“Pour a cup of water into the drain. Measure what came out and note where it came out.”
This procedure has worked for me on 6 cars now.

Yes, a straightened-out metal coat hanger with the curlicue still on it works well for me; +be gentle with it+.
Oh, and wear clothes that you can get wet.