FIRST: This is a salvage titled truck, which I have never been involved in. Haven't even come close to the value of a non-salvage truck with repairs, BUT the nit pick crap has drove me nuts! IF I wasn't capable of doing ALL my repairs on my vehicles, it would've come close to the value, but since I can, its not even close....

Now that that is out there, I have had this truck since last summer, like it other than 13 mpg is KILLING ME, I'm getting ready to quit my job and go to school full time, not just nights like I have been. Anyway, this is a Supercab. I have been trying to figure out a water leak right where the doors meet at the top since owning it. It only leaks when it rains hard, like it has for the past 5 days, my seat and seat belt is soaked. I thought it was my weatherstrip for the longest time, but now I am increasingly sure its not.. Tonight when I got gas I opened up my two doors, pulled the weatherstrip and run my hand up under the head liner. It is wet on the inside ABOVE the weatherstrip, and the lower part of the headliner is wet also. I am pretty sure the rain ditches are leaking. Both sides do it, the passenger side isn't as bad, but it does it. Being salvage titled the entire truck was painted. I can't see whats under the paint on the rain ditches, but the paint that I can see is severely cracked. I am a very well educated and experienced MECHANIC, NOT a body man. What am I looking at to get this fixed? I do not even come close to having enough time to tackle this one myself.....

 

What year, make model, etc. is the truck?

Why is the truck a salvage truck? What happened to it?

Why was it painted?

This will help us understand your issue.

Without know those items, I would say the cab roof has a broken seam that is leaking under the cracked paint. Paint cracks for a reason.

 

Sorry used to other forum with a signature. 2002 f150 supercab. More later at night class with phone now....

 

OK home now, so here goes. It is a 2002 F150 Supercab 4x4 XLT with a 4.6 and a 4r70. I don't know what happened to it, but I know the center steering wheel cap, with the airbag is black, my interior is gray. I would say the air bag is replaced, don't know what happened to it. The drivers side lower rocker has a small dent down under the cab, so I don't think they replaced the whole side of the cab, BUT the drivers doors are either replaced or repaired. The entire truck has been painted. The passenger side also shows signs of being there before, so that side isn't replaced either. They seem like the original doors. I should have car faxed I guess, but I can fix whatever ales my cars and trucks and I don't really care to when I have time. ALSO, I obviously knew it was S Titled, and I got it for 6500 and it booked for over 11000, so I obviously have some room there. The roof on the drivers side under the head liner has a tad of marking on it from a body spoon or something. It happens to be close to where it is leaking.... I think that maybe they used the spoon on it and didn't reseal the cab ditches and broke the old sealant loose and didn't fix that. I am planning on selling it soon anyway, gonna have to get an estimate and decide wether or not to fix it, or just disclose that it leaks and give an idea of cost...

 

Sounds like collision damaged. The roof drain area wasn't repaired properly and is leaking.

 

That's what I'm thinking. It didn't leak when I first got it, the paint was fine to though, I guess it was sealing the leak...

 

You may be able to find where it is leaking by removing the headliner and looking from the inside.
But then again, leaks at seams or welds can sometimes enter and run for several inches before they enter the interior.

 

i have found the third brake light leaking on several f150

 

Not that one. Not even close to it...

 

My truck has a for sale sign in it right now, but have to reopen this one. Since this post I have adjusted the front and rear doors on both sides. (hinges) were off quite a bit, adjusted the strikers also. I never do this except on body things, largely because I hate body work.... I took it to a body shop a few months ago and they ran the hose on it for 3 hours straight and found no leaks other than a TAD at the 3 brake light. Like I said not my problem and there is no wetness from it so not concerned about it. ANYWAY.

I leave both seats leaned up if its not in the garage now. If it leaks the seat belt area gets wet on both sides and it stinks then. Most of the time it doesn't leak. If it rains really really hard it leaks like a sieve. It leaks right where the doors come together, in the weatherstrip area. Previously I thought the rain gutters were leaking, but no dice there. With no leak when little rain and big leak when big rain do you think its as simple as the weatherstripping is worn out and needs replaced? If you have any other idea I am open for suggestions. I either need to disclose a leak on sale or its a pain in the butt if I keep it.

With all that said, you all are probably wondering why mess with it if I am just gonna sale it, well. Its paid for and haven't had any offers either. I might keep it if I can fix that. That is really the only thing wrong with it....

 

Sounds like something is sprung, and uneven pressure along the weatherstrip is allowing a leak.

Haven't tried this on truck doors, but it's worked on everything else. Cut some strips of paper, and starting at the top of the doors, close/ latch the doors with the paper between the door and the gasket. Should be a fairly snug fit when you try to slide the paper out. You'll know real soon if there is an area with little to no tension ( leak ).

Dave

 

I thought of that but haven't ever taken the time to do it. When I adjusted the hinges and strikers I put my knee in the insides of the door and bent the tops of the doors in a bit to increase tension. Still leaked obviously, so haven't tried any more, but that is the smartest answer I have got yet....