BTC89LS400

TL DR: Rotted doors seals, yet massive amounts of water coming in from such a tiny hole.

So this has been an ongoing problem with my '01 LS430 that the left side door seals, the very thin weather strip at the top that protects the car from the outside has rotted away, worse on the left rear passenger door to the point that when it rains, it leaks into the car. Now my dad who had bought the car used and drove it till handing it over to me always had towels on call 24/7 in the car for the leaks and always blamed the seal ...yet never fixed it. So now under my ownership I am trying to fix this ship from sinking but recently it got to the boiling point: After a party with friends I had gotten home and went to get my stuff from the back seat when I noticed the RIGHT SIDE of the rear had a puddle, man I flipped multiple *****s upon discovering it. Spent a full day vacuuming the water, putting baking soda in to absorb smell and extra water, but recently I've noticed it getting damp again.
Has anyone had this happen when they found that the door seals were rotted? And if so, has it been as bad as mine?

Right side rear seat with puddle
Right side front seat was moist
Spent a whole day doing this and wet vac'ing it before adding baking soda to absorb smell and
excess water

OkNowWhat

That's weird, I was under the impression that car doors are designed to drain even if water gets past the seals.

jimbosr1

have you checked your drains?,they maybe clogged.someone here should have there location.hard to think all that water passed through that thin door seal.

Tharper1

If you have access to a basement portable dehumidifer put it inside on something solid on the seat so it's level and close up the car. Then plug it in and let it run for a day or so. It'll be totally dry. Then work on fixing the leaks.. Good luck.

I had had a truck that got flooded over the door sills. Did this method. Two days later totally dry. Didn't even take out the carpet.

rkw77080

The LS430 has 2 weather strips for each door - the primary weatherstrip is the large one that goes around the entire door opening, and a secondary smaller one that goes on the outside (it is more for wind noise reduction). Here is a DIY on how to replace the outer secondary weatherstrip (CLICK HERE). I suspect your primary weatherstrip may also be in bad shape.


I would also examine the roof of your car for rust spots. Carefully remove the trim piece along the roof line and look below it to see if there are holes or cracks...

BTC89LS400

I actually looked at it again since its raining and you're right about the roof (****, why did it have to be the roof). From the inside the water is draining down through the passenger airbag (That's bad, right? That's bad.) and pooling onto the floor and possibly under the seat. So my driver side door seals need to be replaced while my passenger side roof drain needs to be inspected and possible change out the rear passenger air bag. Great.

Here is my sketch of what I think is happening, appropriately titles "MyCarIs****ed.jpg"

Red is the roof drain, black arrows indicate water movement, and blue shows where the water is flowing and creating puddles.

rkw77080

The sliding roof is equipped with drainage hoses. They can also cause leakage into the cabin if damaged.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

Or, take an air hose and throw some air down there to dislodge any debris.

Do the same for your sunroof drainage holes.

BTC89LS400

May I also ask how you removed the roof trim piece without breaking anything?

and so far thank you guys so much for the help!

jimisbell

Wish we had some of your rain and you had our dry weather. We would both be happier.......