QuestionQUESTION: Roland, After heavy rain storms I find puddles on the passenger side of my Sebring, usually in the back. I'm pretty sure that the water leaks in my passenger door, as that is the only spot where it is moist, and then the water rolls to the back with gravity. Im pretty sure its a small leak, not on the door but the car body's seal. How could i seal that up? Could I just put some sealant on the spot? Any idea what i should use?
ANSWER: Hi Fran,
I would begin by checking the drain hole (located below the rear quarter window) that is on the underside of the car, on the seam that runs from the front of the rear wheel opening, forward to the door opening. It has a rubber flap that covers a hole that allows water to drain out. That is the set up on the Le Baron convert and I believe the same applies to the Sebring. So look for that, one on each side, and if you find it insert a stiff wire into the hole to clear away debris so as to allow trapped water to drain out rather that to spill over onto the floor pan/rugs.
Roland
Thanks Roland, the water does not get trapped in the door, I'm pretty sure it comes from the top of the door towards the front of the passenger door, there are beads of water and a water spot on the fabric. Could i just put some type of sealant where its goin in?
Hi Fran,
I am not saying it gets trapped in the door, but rather in the area to the rear of the door opening, under the 1/4 window, where there is a drain hole. It may be leaking in the area you describe also, but from what I have heard the most common reason for excessive water on the floor are plugged drain holes. I can't give you any advice about leaks at the top of the door (I presume you mean the top of the window and the roof?) accept that there are four or so adjustments in the convertible top mechanism which may close such a gap. I can make a copy of a couple of pages from the manual which show the various choices and perhaps either you or a convertible top shop can look into that issue. I need a postal mailing address as I would xerox copy thense.
Roland
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QUESTION: Hi Roland,
I dont have the convertible, its the sebring LXi 4door sedan... is there a drain hole on the sedans?
AnswerHi Fran,
I assumed you had a convertible, sorry. No, no such holes on the sedan. I wonder if the carpeting in the front area of the passenger floor is wet? Does the water have any odor of anti-freeze? That is the most common source of water in the cabin of a sedan, specifically from a radiator heater core that is leaking. Do you loose coolant from your cooling system for no apparent reason?
I would check for that, and then check how tightly the door is secured to the frame by the door latch striker. If you can push in on the door from outside, and it moves, then I would try moving the striker in the door frame inward a few millimeters so as to squeeze the weatherstripping more tightly. Just loosen the screws that hold it in place and slide it in-board a bit.
You can also take a thin strip of paper and close the door on it and then try to see if it will slide out or not. That will help to localize exactly where the opening is, and direct your attention to the reason at that specific spot.
Those are the things that I would try.
Roland
