Howdy All!

Just got registered 'cause I need help with a severe leaking problem.

My '93 Accord has been with us for about 107k miles (always garaged except for the last 4+ years). We've spent money recently on new CV shafts and shocks. The ABS started acting up just afterward; and when our mechanic checked the control unit in the trunk, he found wet mats. I decided to investigate on my own because I've heard that finding the source of leaks can be a time consuming and expensive problem for mechanics/body shops.

Over the weekend, I stripped out the seats, the carpeting and all the trim inside the trunk. I found about 2 inches of water in the spare well and water around the sides of the trunk. The front passenger carpet area was sopping wet and the rear carpet was damp. When looking for places that might be causing the leak, I found that the front plastic cowl at the bottom of the windshield was loose. Several of the pins were missing; there was no seal between the cowl and the windshield. The headliner (around the sunroof) shows no sign of water and the seals there seem good. Likewise, the door seals seem good with no sign of water around the doors or the carpet trim below them. The weatherstripping around the trunk lip is pliable with no visible signs of wear, no tears, no permanent creases.

The car was accident damaged years ago with repairs to rear fenders. Sealant material is readily seen but remains pliable and shows no sign of admitting water. I suspect the fender seams in the trunk but have no 'smoking gun' proof. Unless the cowl disrepair is the culprit, I have no clue about the leak in the front; however, I do believe there to be 2 leaks (at least) because of the nature of the shape of the body underbody. There is no sign of rusting; and I think I can clean everything up, but I MUST find and stop the leaks before doing so (and before replacing the ABS control unit).

What should I do to find the leaks (tinted water, smoke, etc.)? What other places should I check? If I find them, what materials are suggested for sealing them (thinking about the fender to body seam in the trunk)? Should I have the windshield and rear windows resealed, and is it necessary to replace the weatherstripping around them? Should there be a seal between the plastic air intake cowl and the windshield? What are the likely souces of leaks at the windshield?

Although the ride is aging, it is still a very serviceable vehicle (and on retirement income we can't afford to replace it - repair seems our only option at the moment). Suggestions and support will be much appreciated.

rabbit

 

Aloha Rabbit: Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy your stay.
For the leak in the trunk area/spare and rear side panels, take off all the plastic and carpet, lay the back seats down, and have the wife shoot pressure water from the garden hose (on the lawn would make good use of the water also, or wait for a rainy day) while you lay inside and listen and watch.
On my 91 accord when the windshield was changed, the black calking was placed between the windshield and window frame, the rest of the plastic and cowl items did not have anything to do with the sealing of the windshield. This too can be checked by being in the car with the plastic and carpet out, and someone shooting pressure water at all the seams of the windown and frame.
Do you by any chance have a Honda service manual or a haynes. this helps to look for areas that could leak water into the car.
On your overhead moon roof, where does the water drain out, if there is a hole in any of the corners, the drain hose may have come off on the inside where the eye cannot see.
In the rear fender well, check to see if the round rubber seals are still in place, it would be on the inboard side of the side opening on either side.
I'm glad you are retired and getting a pension of some sort, the younger folks are forced to now save for their 401k. Lots of companies cannot afford retirement pensions to pay out.