Water Leak

[mc voss]

In your other post in another thread you mentioned that you were told that the water infiltration was the result of the moonroof drain tubes being frozen. Although I can't saythat isn't the cause I doubt that is the issue since past post on plugged drain tube issues resulted in water pooling in the front or 2nd row foot wells. See the diagram I posted; Water Leak Water coming in where you indicated was usually from leaks where the roof rails were fastened to the roof or from cracked welds along the top of the liftgate. As for the drain tubes, I haven't had that issue with the vehicles I've had and you can be sure it gets plenty cold enough at times here to cause freezing.

Peter

Yes I agree..and it's because I was on the forum this morning before I went to the dealership and saw that post!!! Thank you! Well the vehicle is there..hopefully they will figure it out...I won't get the car until I have someones blood signature..it's a pain to drive out there and I will be peeved if I get it and it's not fixed..I just assume stay in the loaner until it's fixed...fingers crossed

 

[Allen Sterner II]

I purchase a 2011 Limited 4WD Explorer in July. I was recently on vacation this past weekend and encountered a lot of rain. When my 8 year old sat in the 3rd row and buckled the seatbelt, water started streaming down the webbing and I also noticed water on the speaker grill. This has happened twice so far.

This was the on the Right Rear 3rd Row. Any idea where the water is entering?

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Allen. I guessing you realize the post you responded to is almost 6.5 years old. The member hasn't been on here since October 2014. I assume that the pics are a repair you did to yours. How is it holding up? Thanks for posting.

Peter

 

[Allen Sterner II]

Yes sir, sorry new to all this trying to figure out how it work. But I just did this today.

 

[peterk9]

Yes sir, sorry new to all this trying to figure out how it work. But I just did this today.

No problem Allen. We were all new to this at one time.

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

2018 Platinum

So I've had this for 10 days..not even 500 miles on it AND I HAVE WATER LEAKS IN THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! I noticed some water in the cargo area a few days ago but wasn't really alarmed as it's been really snowy here and I'm always in the back w/ the gate up so I figured some snow got in...Until I started researching these problems and kept seeing water leak issues with Explorers I started smelling a rat...

Sure enough I washed the car yesterday in our garage and water is coming in throught the electric seat control panel on the left rear of the cargo area...GRRRRRRRRRRR..the water drips out through that and seeps behind the light then drips down into the car...Water is also coming down that rear seat belt and puddling on the floor..I did purchase the rear cargo mat so hopefully the water isn't creating too much damage...

I'm going to be calling the dealershgip in a few minutes...I'm really freaking out..not only do I not feel safe anymore this water issue is pi**ing me off...I do not want to be stuck dealing with issues for the next 5 years...

Anyone else have issues like mine or suggestions?

Sorry for the book..LOL this is my first post AND my first Ford..Never owned one and now I hope I don't regret it...

Haven't heard of a drain tube design issue on the 16-18s. The water leak issue that you are reading about is the 11-15 Explorers. There was definitely a design issue with the way the Roof Racks mounted to the vehicle causing the mounting holes to crack and let water in. Ford redesigned it on the 2016+ and it hasn't been an issue.

The only time it can be an issue is if the drain tube either was disconnected from the factory or if they get clogged from gunk and this can happen from ANY vehicle with a sunroof.

I know these are expensive vehicles and we take pride with our purchases.. but a water leak causing you to "no feel safe anymore" is very extreme.

 

[mc voss]

Hi all...sorry I haven't updated but I wanted to let you all know that they fixed the water leak...apparently it was coming in from the top of the lift gate at a seam that wasn't done properly at the factory.. (!!!) It was done in a couple days, and I immediately went to the car wash after I picked it up and all is well...it has been raining a lot around here too and still it's all good...to all the posters that frowned on the sun roof leaking cheers!!! I smelled a rat with that answer too...I was very glad to hear they found the leak somewhere else....

Other than that I adore the car..I'm getting used to it and at this moment all is good..fingers crossed!

Thank you everyone for responding..

 

[peterk9]

The liftgate seam has been a problem in several incidents here. In fortunately you are far from being alone.

Peter

 

[bigtexan99]

Is there any preventive maintenance that one could do to help keep the sunroof drains from clogging up? Maybe pour some vinegar into the drain lines?

Also, does anyone have a picture of the drain tubes on a 16+ Explorer? There was a picture a few pages back that has a 14 Explorer, but I'm not sure if the location has changed for the 16+ models.

 

[ENG53INE]

Haven't heard of a drain tube design issue on the 16-18s. The water leak issue that you are reading about is the 11-15 Explorers. There was definitely a design issue with the way the Roof Racks mounted to the vehicle causing the mounting holes to crack and let water in. Ford redesigned it on the 2016+ and it hasn't been an issue.

The only time it can be an issue is if the drain tube either was disconnected from the factory or if they get clogged from gunk and this can happen from ANY vehicle with a sunroof.

I know these are expensive vehicles and we take pride with our purchases.. but a water leak causing you to "no feel safe anymore" is very extreme.

So would it be just as easy to take the rails off and seal the holes over? Or is the issue normally cured for good by just resealing them? I'll probably won't ever use the rails anyways, just a thought.

 

[peterk9]

So would it be just as easy to take the rails off and seal the holes over? Or is the issue normally cured for good by just resealing them? I'll probably won't ever use the rails anyways, just a thought.

Welcome to the Forum.
If you are not having any issues I suggest leaving things alone.

Peter

 

[ENG53INE]

Welcome to the Forum.
If you are not having any issues I suggest leaving things alone.

Peter

Thanks for the welcome, unfortunately it's leaking that's why I asked. To me the racks are useless seeing as the crossbars aren't on it. If the way they're mounted cracks the original seal, which is what I took from that post I'd see no reason to keep them if it's reoccurring problem

 

[peterk9]

Thanks for the welcome, unfortunately it's leaking that's why I asked. To me the racks are useless seeing as the crossbars aren't on it. If the way they're mounted cracks the original seal, which is what I took from that post I'd see no reason to keep them if it's reoccurring problem

Have you confirmed it's leaking from the rack fittings and not the liftgate seam? Several members have completely removed the racks. Roof Rack / Rail Removal

Peter

 

[JDC81]

Mold in spare tire area.

The past couple weeks the spare tire cover has been loose and would not stay on and today i finally had a chance to figure out why. What I can across was it had bowed into a U shape with the edges being the hiogh point (i'll get a pic later) Ok, so I figured i'm here i'll vacuum it out and when i removed the spare I saw condensation on the spare, the jack and the black insulation/pad under the jack and spare was damp. That would explain the bowing of the cover as its particle board and would soak up water. Then i see the mold, on the padding, and the lip of the spare tire cover.

I looked for any signs of water entering via the rear hatch etc but didn't find anything. Only thing that came to mind is I had the exhaust sealing done a few months ago so maybe that has something to do with this?? I'm not positive to be honest but they did seal up the rear rectangular plug in the well. Here are the pictures, and i'm open to thoughts, and maybe take a look at your spare tire area just in case.

**edit** I checked the headliner and didn't see any water stains, dampness on anything including around the cargo area. I think I'm taking it to a touch less car wash to test for leaks.

 

[JDC81]

delete

 

[peterk9]

None of your pictures are visible. FYI, Photobucket no longer allows free hosting/linking. You will have to find another site or take out a $20 Elite membership which will allow you to post directly from your device. BTW, your thread was merged with this one.

Peter

 

[JDC81]

None of your pictures are visible. FYI, Photobucket no longer allows free hosting/linking. You will have to find another site or take out a $20 Elite membership which will allow you to post directly from your device. BTW, your thread was merged with this one.

Peter

I noticed that, thank you. I haven't had to post pictures of anything in a while but thanks for the info. Seems my cracks are in the identical place as above.i'll get pics uploaded one way or another.

here we go

 

[Dillpickle612]

Hello everyone, new to the site here but I recently purchased a 2014 Explorer Sport for my wife. I noticed a musty smell in the car and I located water in my spare tire area. The right side of the carpet surrounding the spare tire area up to the back of the 3 row seat carpet is wet as well. I have been researching that people are fighting leak problems with Explorers, but has anyone found a fix yet? Just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks im advance!

 

[blwnsmoke]

It is 1 of 2 issues. Moonroof drain clogged or the holes where the roof rack screws into the roof have started to rot/crack allowing water in and then it runs to the back and usually down 1 of the 3rd row seat belts.

 

[peterk9]

Hello everyone, new to the site here but I recently purchased a 2014 Explorer Sport for my wife. I noticed a musty smell in the car and I located water in my spare tire area. The right side of the carpet surrounding the spare tire area up to the back of the 3 row seat carpet is wet as well. I have been researching that people are fighting leak problems with Explorers, but has anyone found a fix yet? Just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks im advance!

Welcome to the Forum.
Your thread has been merged with this existing one. I'm sure that you'll find some interesting info here. Chances are it is either from a leak in one of the roof rack fasteners or possible a cracked seam in the liftgate. The most 'popular' one would be the roof rack. Good luck.

Peter