2001 supercrew

When I stop and start I am hearing water moving around like it is trapped somewhere in the truck. It sounds like it is low on the passenger side going from all the way front to all the way back, but the sound is very hard to pin point so I wouldn't be surprised if it was somewhere else. There is definitely trapped water somewhere. I have looked every where and can't find the water. It is driving me crazy and I have no doubt my truck is rusting out somewhere, lol.

Has anyone dealt with something like this?

 

Found it!!!!

The water is under neath the carpet in the channel under the doors. There is a ton of wires in there. I am surprised I am not having problems.

You have to remove the plastic trim piece to get there.


Now to find out how it is getting there.

 

Check your windshield for leaks.

 

Looks like it has to be one of windshields or the trim around the doors. I am going to strip the interior on that side (passenger) of the truck and next time it rains we will see what is happening.

It was a good 2-3 cups of water.

Definitely water though so not a heater core issue.

 

Also check around the 3rd brake light.

 

Found a leak. For right now it looks like it is the only one.

It is at the top of the rear windshield. Water is running onto the headliner, down the headliner to the rear pillar, down the pillar and then into the wire channel. At first I was thinking it was the 3rd brake light, but after inspecting it I don't think that is it. The 3rd brake light must be different on the later model trucks because it looks like the only penetration for the brake light is the wire. The light itself is attached to the plastic trim on the rear windshield so I am leaning towards the windshield itself being the leak.

It looks like the windshield is held in by a series of studs/bolts around it. Hopefully you can just unbolt, remove, clean, reseal and re-bolt it in. I wouldn't be surprised if after removing the glass the metal flange on the cab might have some rust and that is the real culprit. Only one way to find out though.

 

Betcha it IS the brake light, this is a very common problem on the 97-03. Housing needs a new gasket and some RTV.

 

Do you have a slider? The early style of slider had frames that cracked/leaked (very difficult to repair). If you have a solid window or the new style slider, most likely the leak is a bad seal between the window frame and the truck. Not hard to replace the butyl seal, but time consuming as you pretty much have to gut the interior to get to the window bolts.

 

It is a slider. I wouldn't be surprised if it was cracked. The frame is really weak around the slider since it is not all one piece.

 

I'll check again but the 3rd brake light on these year trucks isn't even attached to the truck cab itself like on the later year trucks that had the leaks. It is attached to the plastic trim piece. I will definelty double check it though.

 

Can't believe this topic came up- I have the same thing going on, baffled me now for 3 years. Since the Phoenix area doesn't see a whole lot of rain, I would let it pass but when we do get a soaker, it's back again.

Thanks fellas!!

 

I checked out the 3rd brake light and I don't see how it is possible to cause a leak unless the water is running through the wire penetration, but that wire has a nice rubber grommet. The light doesn't even use a gasket since it is attached to the plastic trim and not the truck. Later model F150s have the light attached directly to the top of the cab itself.

When you unscrew the 3rd brake light it enable you to pour water directly on top of the upper window seal. Did that and it leaked so the window is the problem.

I won't know if the window frame is cracked until I remove it. Ordered a roll of 3m butyl tape. It should be here early next week and then I can get busy and see what we are really dealing with.

After this, I need to replace my intake manifold and find out which pulley bearings are whining. Wouldn't be surprised if multiple bearings, including the A/C compressor bearing or alternator pulley bearing, are shot.

Then it is on to ball joints and replacing my driver seat leather cover.

After that this truck will be back in tip top shape.

Hopefully the truck makes it to 300k.

I really like these 2v modular motors. Down on power a little compared to the 3v and later models, but they are simpler, more reliable IMO and less costly to rebuild. Probably drop in a remanufactured once it goes.

 

you'll have to change the seal around the rear window, same thing happened to me, thought it was the third brake light also but it was the entire window. remove the rear window and replace the seal and youll be good to go.

 

I pulled out the window, replaced the butyl and after hose testing, no leaks. We will see after the first rain, but I think I got it.

 

Sounds like you got it fixed too! But I just have to comment on the funny username... TheBathTub. I hope you don't bring your truck with you in the bathtub, because I'd think you'd have a lot more leaks...

Sorry, I just had to... the thread title -- unusual problem and then your username... Made me chuckle.

Sounds like you both fixed the leaks right up.