Wet pad near drivers door

[bbeverag]

About a month ago I noticed a mild mildew smell in my truck. It got progressively worse so I decided to investigate. I used my nose to diagnose the smell only coming from a small area immediately adjacent to the drivers door. I pulled up the trim and lifted the carpet and found a small area, maybe 25 square inches was damp. The top was never noticeably wet, just the pad underneath.

I searched for any evidence of dampness elsewhere but stuck out. I ran my AC for some time to see if I could detect any wetness above the transmission tunnel but there was none. I do not believe there are any clogged drains around my windshield, the truck is garaged nearly every night so I don't get leaves or pollon dropping on it constantly. One note, it was subject to the windshield urethane recall. I am not sure if it is related in any way to that.

just looking for some direction on where the most common places to look would be.

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[AzScorpion]

I would try taking a hose (it'll be easier with 2 people) and have one wet the windshield while you look for any leaks. If that's not it maybe try moving the hose around by the door and see if the moulding there is leaking.

 

[got3fords]

Wouldn't you expect wetness above the transmission if it's draining properly? Maybe that drain is plugged.

 

[ScarzRanger21(2.0)]

I had this problem with my truck as well. If the AC drain is clogged it won’t be wet directly around the where the drain tube exits the firewall, It’ll run down into the floorboard area around the pedals.

Try the hose trick and see if you can find any leaks. If not, try running the AC for a bit. After 10-15 mins you should see water dripping from the bottom of the truck. If you don’t, your AC condensate drain is clogged. That’s what it ended up being with my truck.

 

[BLUEJAYS2025]

About a month ago I noticed a mild mildew smell in my truck. It got progressively worse so I decided to investigate. I used my nose to diagnose the smell only coming from a small area immediately adjacent to the drivers door. I pulled up the trim and lifted the carpet and found a small area, maybe 25 square inches was damp. The top was never noticeably wet, just the pad underneath.

I searched for any evidence of dampness elsewhere but stuck out. I ran my AC for some time to see if I could detect any wetness above the transmission tunnel but there was none. I do not believe there are any clogged drains around my windshield, the truck is garaged nearly every night so I don't get leaves or pollon dropping on it constantly. One note, it was subject to the windshield urethane recall. I am not sure if it is related in any way to that.

just looking for some direction on where the most common places to look would be.

I just had the same problem. I checked my third brake light gasket, it was good. I noticed a bit of a stain at the bottom of the rear pillar but it was dry. I’ve heard that the drip rails on the roof can be a problem, so I got some good quality clear 3M sealant and sealed both sides of the drivers side drip rail. So far it’s dry.
I peeled back the carpet and cut out the gray under pad so it could dry, and put it all back together.

 

[bbeverag]

Update for you guys, thanks to ChatGPT troubleshooting. I pulled the interior door panel and found the waterproof membrane that should direct water to the drain holes had unadhered, which allowed water to exit on the interior side of the door. It was dripping very, very slowly. I ordered some "Butyl Tape" from Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. I'll report back in a week or so after I have retaped the membrane and we've had some rain.

I appreciate the responses here and hopefully someone else will get some assistance from this thread in the future.

 

[got3fords]

Update for you guys, thanks to ChatGPT troubleshooting. I pulled the interior door panel and found the waterproof membrane that should direct water to the drain holes had unadhered, which allowed water to exit on the interior side of the door. It was dripping very, very slowly. I ordered some "Butyl Tape" from Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. I'll report back in a week or so after I have retaped the membrane and we've had some rain.

I appreciate the responses here and hopefully someone else will get some assistance from this thread in the future.

Pics would be awesome.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

W for Chat GPT. If it were my truck it would have hallucinated those drain holes

Just like it did the height adjustment lever on my new dishwasher and a whole freaking menu on my new camera at work.

 

[Conman50]

I noticed the same wet spot a couple weeks ago after rain. Couldn't exactly pin point where it was coming from. I'll need to check the door out.

Seems like a somewhat common issue

 

[Dereku]

Update for you guys, thanks to ChatGPT troubleshooting. I pulled the interior door panel and found the waterproof membrane that should direct water to the drain holes had unadhered, which allowed water to exit on the interior side of the door. It was dripping very, very slowly. I ordered some "Butyl Tape" from Amazon and it should be here tomorrow. I'll report back in a week or so after I have retaped the membrane and we've had some rain.

I appreciate the responses here and hopefully someone else will get some assistance from this thread in the future.

Window flashing at Home Depot is basically the same thing. And extra sticky. If you dont want to wait. Its amazing for automotive applications.

 

[bbeverag]

OK here are some pics.

In the photo above, you see where water is supposed to drain out of the door when it is properly sealed.

It was instead dribbling very slowly out of this area which is inside the sealed cabin area.

When i pulled the door panel off, I saw this membrane was separated from the door where the arrow is pointing and there was visible water flow in the area with the square.

Some new butyl tape was super easy to install. I hosed it down for a while and it was still dry behind the interior panel afterward so I think I got it fixed.

 

[got3fords]

OK here are some pics.

In the photo above, you see where water is supposed to drain out of the door when it is properly sealed.

It was instead dribbling very slowly out of this area which is inside the sealed cabin area.

When i pulled the door panel off, I saw this membrane was separated from the door where the arrow is pointing and there was visible water flow in the area with the square.

Some new butyl tape was super easy to install. I hosed it down for a while and it was still dry behind the interior panel afterward so I think I got it fixed.

Where did you apply the tape?

 

[bbeverag]

Where did you apply the tape?

Where the membrane was not taped to the door. It's not tape like a roll of tape, it's like silly putty that goes between the grey door membrane and the metal of the door.

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