Water leak Driver's A pillar

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 27 Oct 2021, 16:24

It was raining here the other day, and cold, just above freezing. I was driving my car on the highway, then stopped at a store, I waited in the car for my wife, when my a pillar started dripping water directly above the mirror adjustment controls, and kept leaking off and on throughout the day, but seemed to only drip when stopped and driver's side lower than passenger side. The water was coming between the plastic trim and door seal. I thought it was my sunroof drains had a leak, I checked today by pouring water down the drains, and both sides drained right behind the front tires, and no leaks inside. Are there any other points that could leak there? Roof rack, windshield? This is on a 98 V70.

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 27 Oct 2021, 16:25

Here is a pic of leak. Headliner is dry, and no staining either. The seal between the door and body was also dry where it seals against door.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Oct 2021, 16:37

The door seal seems to compress in that area of the door. You may also have slight 'droop' in your door hinges allowing water to by-pass the seal. Check the seal in the area from the top of the door mirror area to where it goes horizontal. Also check the door on from the outside and see if the door has dropped slightly giving more of a gap in that area.

Neil.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 27 Oct 2021, 17:26

Place strips of paper between the body and the seal in the area of the leak and away from the leak. Close the door on these strips. Pull the strips out (or inside) while noting the resistance to pulling. They should all be near equal pull. If there is little resistance at the leak, determine what has shifted to open the gap.
volvolugnut

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 28 Oct 2021, 11:43

Seal is good, same with door, paper had resistance all the way around. Doesn't appear to droop.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Oct 2021, 16:12

Then it may be the windshield seal. I had my usual nightmare issue of a leak that would only happen in certain conditions when raining and the car being in a certain lean. I tried all the door seals, side window seals and sunroof seals and drains. I eventually gave it to the dealer and they set a young apprentice on it. He eventually found a gap in the windshield seal up on the top corner on the drivers side.

Try checking for rust or rust holes under the rubber seal along the top of the windshield.

Neil.

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 28 Oct 2021, 16:18

I may try pulling the plastic trim too, I didn't want to pull it initially as the car was still frozen. The windshield believe it or not is the original one still, so that's a possibility.