Water leak - grrr

[GTVeloce]

I have a very annoying water leak that I can't seem to locate. I can see water dribble down where the passenger side kick panel lives. It appears to be coming from above there somewhere but I can't see where because of the dash obstructing view and even fingers to feel where the water is coming in. My first thought was windscreen but I took that to Paul Rankin and had him seal it up (removed screen complete and sealed the full way around). However, it doesn't seem to have made much difference.

Where else could the water be getting in? I have looked at most options but can't see suitable evidence. I don't have any rust in the area (i.e. A pillars are good as is in the engine bay underneath A pillars). I completely stripped the car in 2012 and the front area was very good from a rust point of view.

I had installed brand new door seals but have even tried a different type of new seal but again no difference. I am trying not to remove the dash as this is a daily driver and it was a pain getting it back in last time!

If I don't fix this soon then I won't have a floor by the end of winter!

[DHDamo]

Could it be heater hose/tap? They run through the firewall above there if u have aircon. It could also be the heater itself. I think one of the fluid lines connect on the passenger side and the original tap is plastic, possibly deteriorated and leaking.

Wasn't sure if you meant 'side' kick panel OR just kick on pass. side.

Does coolant level ever drop?

[carlo rossi]

Clogged drain for air vents???
perhaps

[GTVeloce]

It shouldn't be the heater tap or hoses. The dribble is very close to the passenger door, well away from the heater stuff. Also, it is clearly water, not coolant and only happens when it rains.

Do you mean the drain that goes into the engine bay and dumps near the steering rack? If so then that is clear. I'm not aware of another drain but maybe there is?

Keep up the suggestions please. Hopefully one will be the idea that solves my dilemma.

[rowan_bris]

Passenger side external air vent

[GTVeloce]

Passenger side external air vent

Could be. It appears to run down further back than this but maybe it is running along the dash mount (metal tab) and then down. I will test it by removing the outer plastic and rubber air inlet sections and hosing water straight into the fresh air intake and see if I can see a dribble or a flood.

[tpalfa]

What model is it? Does it have a sunroof?

[GTVeloce]

Sorry, it's an 83 GTV without sunroof.

Still haven't had a chance to test the fresh air vent seal so will report when I do.

[GTVeloce]

Well, I hosed every place that I thought could possibly have caused the leak but to no avail. Not a drop came into the cabin. I put the hose full bore into the fresh air vent and none leaked. I removed the cover behind the front wheel and sprayed water liberally - still nothing. I tried the windscreen from all angles just in case; the side window and quarter window and nothing.

Looks like I am going to have to wait till I know it is going to rain, remove the dash and go for a drive!

[colcol]

Stupid Question, but have you got airconditioning?,if it does, you can have the drain tube clog up, and the condensation can run down the sides and later on, if you go round a corner the condensation can overflow and cause wetness in the car, Colin.

[GTVeloce]

As I am now dismantling the car, I have removed the dash and can confirm Rowan was correct, it was the passenger side external air vent. It had a small amount of rust that had formed but that was enough that water could squeeze through with pressure.

[rowan_bris]

Well done - it is irritating trying to find leaks like that