I have a 2001 Acura MDX that the front carpets get wet when it rains. They get wet even when I do not drive it while it is raining.
I have look but can not determine how the water is getting in.
Any hep, please?

 

I'd suspect the windshield seal is the problem. Even a leak at the top of the windshield can find it's way down the dash and to your carpets due to capilary action. Since it's an '01, I'd take it to the dealer and have them fix it under warranty.

 

The reason I haven't taken it to the dealer is that it has 57,000 miles. 7,000 too many.

I thought about the windshield, but can't find where anything is wet above the floor.

 

With only 7k over, some good dealership will fix it under "goodwill." It's an Acura and an MDX, so I would hope that they will help you out...

 

if you ALWAYS take your car to the dealership for services, oil changes, etc... the service writer should know you pretty well, and might give u a freebie on that... but for the most part, if u really want to find out where it's coming in from, you'll have to remove most of the trim pieces from around the wet area... i.e. lower dash, kick panel, door sill, etc... sit inside with all the doors closed, and have someone hose the car down while looking for any signs of where the water came in. I had to do that on a corolla...

also, check to see if the rear floor mats had any signs of wetness... then check the trunk. the corolla came in complaining of the front mats being wet... no leaks in front... then we found the rear mats being somewhat moist... long story short, it was the trunk weatherstrip that allowed water to leak through.

 

Thanks for your suggestions.
The rear floor mats have never been wet, but are higher than the front mats, and the MDX is an SUV with no trunk.

What is stumping me now is that I have been using a shop vac and towles for several days now to get up the water, but it still very wet. Also for five days we have not had any rain.

 

well then.. have u checked or ruled out the heater core? does it smell like coolant at all?

 

How about the drain tube(s) for the air ducts? The AC evaporator condenses lots of moisture out of the air, there's a drain tube for that. I don't know exactly what it looks like on an MDX, but there might also be another drain tube to handle rainwater from the air ducts. Sometimes those tubes are just under the dash where your feet can push & disconnect the hose.

There's also drain tubes for the sunroof. Find where they're supposed to be connected at the bottom, see if they're OK.

 

I had a similar problem with the same MDX about a year ago. Had the heater core replaced. Seemed to work until last week when I ran into the problem again - am scheduled to take it in once more.

 

Did the wetness smell like anti-freeze on yours? The two reasons why I don't think it is the heater core, is that:
1. It doesn't smell, and
2. I have not noticed any loss of coolant.

I was able to get the carpets mostly dry when we had several days without rain.

I need a schematic for the body and places the wetness could get in. Anyone know where I can view one online?

Thanks