Brand new member here!

I just traded my 2015 F150 in for a 2017 F350 Lariat (panoramic sunroof, no cab lights).

Shortly after buying it, I noticed the rear headliner had stains that I assumed were from a leak. After troubleshooting, I found that the rear drain tubes were not connected and water was leaking directly into the headliner. Some hose clamps and oxy clean fixed that situation.

I was cleaning the truck and noticed that both front floor mats were damp to the touch. I ran a fan on them to dry them out then turned off my AC for the week. Today, I pulled the carpet up for the first time. The padding is absolutely soaked on both sides. I haven’t ran the AC for a week and it hasn’t rained during that time. I did go through a drive thru car wash recently.

I tested the front sunroof drains and they appear to be working. From what I can read, a leaking AC normally soaks the passenger side - any thoughts on what could do both? I also read that it may be the windshield seal, is it likely to fail on both sides?

Any help is appreciated.

 

You have described a LOT of water / moisture............ Was it run off in a bayou or in some sort of flood ?

Hobo

 

Haha - not as far as I know. I will pull up the floor in the rear tomorrow to see if it has the same issue.

I can squeeze the carpet padding and wring water out. I agree - it seems like more than a little leak.

 

Check the back of cab vents, they may not be pushed in all the way.

Smokeploe

 

Hey Hobo, I couldn’t wait until tomorrow, I went and checked the back seats and they are not wet. If it helps, it seems like the water is consolidated directly in front of both seats.

 

Hey smoke, what are these? Where could I find it?

thanks

 

They are on the back of the cab bulkhead. A flashlight between the cab and bed and you should see them. Also should get an inside view looking behind the rear seat backs. There are 2, one each side, black, the size of shoebox tops.

 

Was the windshield recently replaced?? I have heard of aftermarket windshields not being installed properly causing leads around the seams. Also, if your have a GPS Roof Mount Antenna those are prone for leaking at some point. My last truck was leaking at the GPS Antenna causing water to come out of the drivers grab handle. Very frustrating considering the cost of these vehicles and to have water intrusion in the cab. Wishing you luck on identifying and fixing your issue.

 

Cab vent location.
A somewhat older article that does give some tips for vehicles damaged by water.

Hobo

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/loc...n-antonio-area

 

Thanks for the pic Hobo, I checked them and they appeared to be fully seated.

I have a far fetched theory... hear me out. For whatever reason I assumed that the front seats were on a pedestal shaped floor (the floor drops down in the front AND the rear). After looking, it appears that the front foot areas are the lowest points in the truck. I suspect that the rear drain tubes being unplugged shot water down the C pillar and it naturally made its way to the lowest point in the cab. After peeling back the carpet more, I did find more damp pad in the rear. It wasn’t soaked, but it was wet for sure.

While troubleshooting the pano roof, I found that it is “supposed” to leak at the corners and I visibly saw water coming into the rails. While owning the truck I parked nose first in my uphill driveway which would dump rain into the cabin without the hoses connected.

Anyway... I had the passenger side carpet pulled up and it rained all day today. I taped down paper to try and track the ingress points. At the end of the day the paper was bone dry.

I’ve had fans on the carpet for hours now and it still isn’t fully dry. I’ve decided to pull the carpet out entirely for a week. This will allow it to dry while also exposing any possible leaks *in theory*.

Let me know what y’all think!

Slowly but surely!

 

Hey Hog, thanks for the response. I read about this in another thread but didn’t pay it too much mind. I haven’t had the truck very long, but the carfax didn’t show any accident history (I assumed this was collected via insurance claims, but may be mistaken). Anyhow, I went to check, one of the passenger windows isn’t FoMoCo. Does the windshield have a logo on it because I couldn’t find one on mine.

Agree completely. I bought mine used and I like to think I beat em up enough on the price to deal with these issues - I didn’t, but it makes me feel better 😂

I am hoping this is the last issue it had when I bout it! Fingers crossed.

 

I like your style of "Detective Work". You are not whining about this being someone else's problem.... Having the carpet and other things out of the way will help you locate the leak. RV manufacturer's actually have a certified rain tunnel they put problem RV's in for several hours to find the leaks around the slide outs. You may have to rig a few water hoses and soak the truck for a while... Hang in there.

Hobo

 

not sure how these rear windows are fastened, but my 07 f150 leaked in the seam of the rear window.

ive also heard people say the rubber around the siding windows in this new style window leaks...

(just a couple more places for you to check.)

 

Calling for rain the next couple days - I will also take it through the wash a few times while the carpet is out.

Appreciate the encouragement! Whining never got me much - dang sure wouldn’t make my carpet dry haha. I’ll keep y’all posted.

 

Thanks camper, I had an 08 f150 that leaked in that same spot (and the third brake light). I didn’t see any sign here, but when I get the carpet complete pulled, I’ll get a better look. Plan is to tape paper on the rear of the cab and up the firewall as well as the floor... stay tuned.