Leak
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
Leak
Last week, my truck was out overnight in the rain. The next day I noticed a few drops of water coming out the drivers A-pillar hand hold. I suspect there is a leak at the windshield (it has been replaced once) or one of the clearance lights. Anyone experienced this?
I’m thinking the first and easiest step would be to reseal the clearance lights and see if that helps but I’m not sure how to go about it. Can I take the clearance lights off from the outside, without pulling the headliner? What’s the best way to reseal them? I assume they have gaskets or I could use silicon? Will silicon even stick since this truck has been ceramic coated?
Thanks
I’m thinking the first and easiest step would be to reseal the clearance lights and see if that helps but I’m not sure how to go about it. Can I take the clearance lights off from the outside, without pulling the headliner? What’s the best way to reseal them? I assume they have gaskets or I could use silicon? Will silicon even stick since this truck has been ceramic coated?
Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
A leak from the A-pillar could be from the windshield, roof body seam or possibly a clearance light. In any case, you need to find just what is leaking first. This will require some trim disassembly and a helper with a water hose (that is what I did). Others have used compressed air form inside and soap solution applied on the possible leak locations on the outside of the truck. If you do not want to do this yourself, a good glass shop should be able to find this leak since they do this type of work often.
Once you find the leak, it should be a relatively easy repair. If using a sealer, a professional grade of urethane sealant should work well.
Once you find the leak, it should be a relatively easy repair. If using a sealer, a professional grade of urethane sealant should work well.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 356
Likes: 85
From: South Georgia
I’m assuming you don’t have a moonroof since you didn’t mention it. The two A pillar leaks I’ve had were:
moonroof drain tube completely falling off and water drained from moonroof drain directly into the A pillar. Grab handle was first least resistance place to leak. Very easy leak to replicate and find. I suppose a cab light could do similar but it’s probably the corner one or you’d see it on the headliner.
roof channel seam very small crack in the sealer at the corner of the windshield and trim piece. The leak manifested itself much lower coming out the holes between the pinch welds into the dash trim and over to the E-brake pedal. Couldn’t get that one to replicate, only occurred after longer rain. Finally saw the tiny crack, sealed it with windshield sealer and it’s been good.
Drop the corner of your headliner and take a look for evidence. Very easy to do. I think if it’s coming out the grab handle you’ve got a direct dump into the headliner and interior trim.
moonroof drain tube completely falling off and water drained from moonroof drain directly into the A pillar. Grab handle was first least resistance place to leak. Very easy leak to replicate and find. I suppose a cab light could do similar but it’s probably the corner one or you’d see it on the headliner.
roof channel seam very small crack in the sealer at the corner of the windshield and trim piece. The leak manifested itself much lower coming out the holes between the pinch welds into the dash trim and over to the E-brake pedal. Couldn’t get that one to replicate, only occurred after longer rain. Finally saw the tiny crack, sealed it with windshield sealer and it’s been good.
Drop the corner of your headliner and take a look for evidence. Very easy to do. I think if it’s coming out the grab handle you’ve got a direct dump into the headliner and interior trim.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 348
Likes: 361
From: Ohio
I’m assuming you don’t have a moonroof since you didn’t mention it. The two A pillar leaks I’ve had were:
moonroof drain tube completely falling off and water drained from moonroof drain directly into the A pillar. Grab handle was first least resistance place to leak. Very easy leak to replicate and find. I suppose a cab light could do similar but it’s probably the corner one or you’d see it on the headliner.
roof channel seam very small crack in the sealer at the corner of the windshield and trim piece. The leak manifested itself much lower coming out the holes between the pinch welds into the dash trim and over to the E-brake pedal. Couldn’t get that one to replicate, only occurred after longer rain. Finally saw the tiny crack, sealed it with windshield sealer and it’s been good.
Drop the corner of your headliner and take a look for evidence. Very easy to do. I think if it’s coming out the grab handle you’ve got a direct dump into the headliner and interior trim.
moonroof drain tube completely falling off and water drained from moonroof drain directly into the A pillar. Grab handle was first least resistance place to leak. Very easy leak to replicate and find. I suppose a cab light could do similar but it’s probably the corner one or you’d see it on the headliner.
roof channel seam very small crack in the sealer at the corner of the windshield and trim piece. The leak manifested itself much lower coming out the holes between the pinch welds into the dash trim and over to the E-brake pedal. Couldn’t get that one to replicate, only occurred after longer rain. Finally saw the tiny crack, sealed it with windshield sealer and it’s been good.
Drop the corner of your headliner and take a look for evidence. Very easy to do. I think if it’s coming out the grab handle you’ve got a direct dump into the headliner and interior trim.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
Looks like it is the windshield. Used a plant waterer with a spout to strategically pour water. I can feel it under the front edge of the headliner when water is poured on the top edge of the windshield. I'll have the glass shop that replaced the windshield take a look at it.
Thanks for the assist.
Thanks for the assist.
Official Ford Pro Rep
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 1,285
Last week, my truck was out overnight in the rain. The next day I noticed a few drops of water coming out the drivers A-pillar hand hold. I suspect there is a leak at the windshield (it has been replaced once) or one of the clearance lights. Anyone experienced this?
I’m thinking the first and easiest step would be to reseal the clearance lights and see if that helps but I’m not sure how to go about it. Can I take the clearance lights off from the outside, without pulling the headliner? What’s the best way to reseal them? I assume they have gaskets or I could use silicon? Will silicon even stick since this truck has been ceramic coated?
Thanks
I’m thinking the first and easiest step would be to reseal the clearance lights and see if that helps but I’m not sure how to go about it. Can I take the clearance lights off from the outside, without pulling the headliner? What’s the best way to reseal them? I assume they have gaskets or I could use silicon? Will silicon even stick since this truck has been ceramic coated?
Thanks
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 513
For anyone else that has this issue mine was leaking around the cab lights and running out the handle on the A pillar and out the upfitter switches. Seals are foam with peel and stick adhesive on the bottom and permanently attached to the cab light. Have to replace the whole light, and the o-rings under the screw heads are only available with new screws (sold separately). Updated style lights have thicker foam and seal much better than what my 2017 had stock. 2020-2022 trucks use clear light housings if interested in that for the 2017-2019 replacements.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 949
Likes: 330
From: Colorado Rockies
I took it to the glass shop (the same one that replaced the windshield three years ago). It took them about 10 seconds to identify the problem. Pushing out on the top, left side of the windshield revealed that it was no longer bonded; you could feel it move. They said that have seen this on several Ford Super Duties. New windshield on order (can't remove the old one without breaking it) and will be replaced next week.
Thanks for the assist.
Thanks for the assist.
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 356
Likes: 85
From: South Georgia
Glad you figured it out. What they should have said was we want to sell you a new windshield or we’d have to try not to break yours. When tracing my leak my glass guy (who I’ve used several times) told me he’d could reseal it and try not to break it but couldn’t guarantee it wouldn’t due to age. Mine is 7 years old. They can be resealed but also it’s worth whatever it takes to resolve the issue.
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