I just bought a 96 Ford Bronco with 95,000 miles for 7000.00. The dealer I purchased it from in Delaware really screwed me good. Evidently,the radiator had a leak and instead of replacing it, they poured sealer into it. Not knowing there was a problem, I took the truck on a long-distance trip from Jersey to the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and ended up blowing the radiator on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge (lots of fun...). Anyway, I replaced the radiator and continued having problems. I finally found out about the sealer when I replaced the heater core and took the old one apart. It was full of gunk.
Now I'm trying to decide what else the dealer might have messed with before selling me the truck. I've been having problems in the back with water coming in, and it looks like they messed with the cap. Both rear ashtrays are filling up with water when it rains. I previously had a 96 Bronco XLT (two-tone... she was a beaut until she went into one of the pilings under the El in Philly). I never had this problem with that truck, but then, I never took the cap off. Is this leakage a common thing once the cap has been removed? If so, any ideas on how I can fix the problem? I'm considering taking the cap off and sealing it somehow, possibly with silicone, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea. I'm open to any suggestion, and would love to hear from anyone who has dealt with a similar problem. Thanks!

 

Having the top leak at all is rare. Removing it should have no bearing on how well it seals unless the rubber gasket cross the steel section of the roof has dry rotted. It is the ONLY seal between the top and the rest of the truck that is even close to the rear seat ashtrays. However, with that particular problem I would ask how the body looks at the point just above and aft of the ends of the rain gutters. Typically, the cracks that form in the body in this region will allow water to wick down the inside of the body. Since the ashtrays are turned to the inside of the body most of the time, they are some of the first places the water gathers.

If the body is not exhibiting these cracks, the best course of action is to remove the top and replace the seal across the back of the steel section of the roof. The Red Link in my signature has more info. on this topic.

 

The body,believe it or not,has no rust what so ever.Also the interior is in mint condition which leads me to believe the dealer screwed with it.My mechanic said he would try to replace the seals but also stated that he never did it before.

 

The seal is one simple rubber bead with a C-channel to hold it onto the body. Replacement requires only removing the top (the procedure is outlined in the link in my signature) and pulling the seal off the steel edge that it clips to. Installation of the new seal is as simple as putting a new one on. You can get one from the Forum Sponsor.

 

Change all the fluids, if the dealer did change then it will have cheap stuff in it. I would change all the filters, the spark plugs and the fluids, just to be on the safe side. Not related to your issue, as Grey already addressed that, but it's sound advice.

Also, take out the access panel to the tailgate and check the inside, there may be rust in there.