Serious problem - please help

[Mica_02_P5]

I doubt this has happened to anybody here but here goes my story.

Two months ago I bought the 02 P5 for $12,000 CND with 32,000 kms on it. Obviously a car that cheap had to have something wrong with it. It did, it was in a car accident a couple years ago and the first owners insurance co wrote it off.

I ended up buying the car from a rebuilder in my town, it was a good deal and it was rebuilt without too many issues, I even took it to a mechanic to look over it and check out the chasis, came back clear minus the little bit of torque stearing.

The car drives really well, I have had no issues with it until now, I noticed the carpet was wet on the front passenger side, I took the seat out and ripped up the carpet and there was about 3-4 litres of water sitting between the metal floor and the carpet pad.

I got most of the water out and am drying it out as I write this but what I cant tell is where it is coming in from, I wondered if there was a panel of some sort that might block water from entering the car and or is missing from the accident. Its not only on the front passenger side but all the way to the back seat too.

Is there a way to seal the floor so nothing comes in, I dont want to seal something that shouldnt be. Also if anybody has a photo of the bottom of these cars that might help, I can then determine if anything is missing and should be replaced. I need to sort this out ASAP as its winter and the amount of salty water I am taking on is of concern. I would hate to rust out my car this way.

Can anybody help with this, I apologize for the long post but this is a major problem and I dont want to drive my car until its sorted out.

Thanks for any help.

I can take photos if that might help.

 

[ghettobubba2001]

nothing to apologize about... id suggest ripping all the carpet out of the car and possibly whenever it rains go and sit inside the car and watch it. and investigate..... or if you have a buddy with a p5 compare it with them

 

[Iceman112k3]

I'd say the rebuilders missed sealing something if I had to guess.

 

[snowblazin]

Does it only happen when it rains? Or does it get soaked even on dry days. I'd agree it's probably a bad seal somewhere when they put it back together, most likely the windshield. If it's soaking on dry days and smells like maple syrup then it could be your heater core. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[JOS3]

it was probably improperly resealed somewhere when it was rebuilt.

 

[p5power]

yeah, it might be a good idea to run a test to see where its coming from. could be a variety of places, but i'd start by looking at the seals around the windshield or even maybe the rubber grommet on the passenger-side firewall...won't know until you really see it.

 

[jdm4lyf9]

I doubt this has happened to anybody here but here goes my story.

Two months ago I bought the 02 P5 for $12,000 CND with 32,000 kms on it. Obviously a car that cheap had to have something wrong with it. It did, it was in a car accident a couple years ago and the first owners insurance co wrote it off.

I ended up buying the car from a rebuilder in my town, it was a good deal and it was rebuilt without too many issues, I even took it to a mechanic to look over it and check out the chasis, came back clear minus the little bit of torque stearing.

The car drives really well, I have had no issues with it until now, I noticed the carpet was wet on the front passenger side, I took the seat out and ripped up the carpet and there was about 3-4 litres of water sitting between the metal floor and the carpet pad.

I got most of the water out and am drying it out as I write this but what I cant tell is where it is coming in from, I wondered if there was a panel of some sort that might block water from entering the car and or is missing from the accident. Its not only on the front passenger side but all the way to the back seat too.

Is there a way to seal the floor so nothing comes in, I dont want to seal something that shouldnt be. Also if anybody has a photo of the bottom of these cars that might help, I can then determine if anything is missing and should be replaced. I need to sort this out ASAP as its winter and the amount of salty water I am taking on is of concern. I would hate to rust out my car this way.

Can anybody help with this, I apologize for the long post but this is a major problem and I dont want to drive my car until its sorted out.

Thanks for any help.

I can take photos if that might help.

Hey man check in the trunk underneath the carpet where the tail light is. My msp was hit a year ago on the rear quarter pannel and the car was fixed at the body shop, but then everytime it rained I would notice water under my seats and come to find out it was comming from the tail light.

 

[mryellermp5]

responce to help

try using a garden hose to spray around questionable areas. or even step it up a notch a car wash (sprayer ) my guess is the body shop did not seal the body joints in the inner fenderwells.

I doubt this has happened to anybody here but here goes my story.

Two months ago I bought the 02 P5 for $12,000 CND with 32,000 kms on it. Obviously a car that cheap had to have something wrong with it. It did, it was in a car accident a couple years ago and the first owners insurance co wrote it off.

I ended up buying the car from a rebuilder in my town, it was a good deal and it was rebuilt without too many issues, I even took it to a mechanic to look over it and check out the chasis, came back clear minus the little bit of torque stearing.

The car drives really well, I have had no issues with it until now, I noticed the carpet was wet on the front passenger side, I took the seat out and ripped up the carpet and there was about 3-4 litres of water sitting between the metal floor and the carpet pad.

I got most of the water out and am drying it out as I write this but what I cant tell is where it is coming in from, I wondered if there was a panel of some sort that might block water from entering the car and or is missing from the accident. Its not only on the front passenger side but all the way to the back seat too.

Is there a way to seal the floor so nothing comes in, I dont want to seal something that shouldnt be. Also if anybody has a photo of the bottom of these cars that might help, I can then determine if anything is missing and should be replaced. I need to sort this out ASAP as its winter and the amount of salty water I am taking on is of concern. I would hate to rust out my car this way.

Can anybody help with this, I apologize for the long post but this is a major problem and I dont want to drive my car until its sorted out.

Thanks for any help.

I can take photos if that might help.

 

[Lord_Zath]

can also have them check the water evac tubes that run around the front of the car and shunt water to the rear by the spoiler. chances are they got clogged from sitting around.

 

[bazooka joe]

bad heater core could do that too!

 

[snowblazin]

bad heater core could do that too!

haha, great minds think alike!

 

[snowblazin]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to bazooka joe again.
(notcool)

 

[Mica_02_P5]

I have dried out most of the carpet now and since it snowed last night I drove around to see if I could find the spot where the water was coming in.

I figure the water is coming in from behind that metal panel (see image) I took the panel off and didnt see a spot where the water could be coming from but its most likely coming from that area.

I have attached some photos, I had to tie up the carpet to dry out.

Thanks for the help so far.

 

[bazooka joe]

it's hard to tell and all, but it looks like that's were the water is settling, not where it's coming in?

 

[Mica_02_P5]

It was settling there but after I dried it out then took the car back out on wet streets it was wet there again. I assume it was coming from that area of the floor just because it was the only area that was wet after I took it out for a drive.

 

[Mica_02_P5]

So I figured out where the leak is coming from, its coming from the wheel well, when the rebuilders put it back together they must have missed something and the water is getting in where the plastic is usually bolted.

I am going to take the wheel off this weekend and take the plastic off to see if there is anything or anywhere I can seal. Has anybody had to take this section off of their car before? I am not 100% sure how to do it.

 

[Boston5761]

Get a Haynes service manual, will come in handy in the future.

 

[Canecreekfreak]

If you can find a Haynes manual for the 2002/03 P5, please let me know. I haven't been able to find one. Not that I've needed it (yet) with all the good info. on this board.

I'm not sure what you can use for sealant. You might talk to the shop that fixed it to see if they have any suggestions for you. And get it fixed, quick, 'cause that's where the ECU is (behind that metal panel). Good luck- let us know how you make out.

(cheers)

 

[p5power]

If you can find a Haynes manual for the 2002/03 P5, please let me know. I haven't been able to find one. Not that I've needed it (yet) with all the good info. on this board.

I'm not sure what you can use for sealant. You might talk to the shop that fixed it to see if they have any suggestions for you. And get it fixed, quick, 'cause that's where the ECU is (behind that metal panel). Good luck- let us know how you make out.

(cheers)

not exactly a haynes sevice manual...but it's saved my ass a few times... http://protege5.ugly.net/#body

 

[Mica_02_P5]

I was wrong the leak isnt coming from the wheel wells its coming from just below the windsheild, I dont know what its called but it looks like a water tunnel that sends rain or other water away from the car.

I tried to take the front panel off as well as the plastic cap that goes across the bottom of the windsheild but still could not see deep enough to figure out why its going into the car from there.

Does anybody else know why it would be coming in the car from this area. I really dont want to take it to Mazda unless I really have to.