Sealing a water leak.....

[bruce11495]

I need a "pourable" leak sealer to seal a leak in the front cowl area. I've found where the leak is and followed its path. If water will run to the area, I figured a sealer of some type would too. It is to far down in the cowl area to reach with a caulking gun. Tar is the only thing that comes to mind, but it could be messy too. Does anyone have a "fix" for this?
Thanks in advance.......

[mike cobine]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Just remember, if the water flows on into the passenger area or on something you don't want wet, then whatever "liquid" sealer you pour in will do the same. And that tar may solidify before or after it hits that hole, so you may not reach the hole or you may run right through it and into whatever.

And when it gets hot this summer, with the engine up around 180 or so, that tar will probably be running again.

I'd try to block it on the inside with masking tape and pour epoxy into it from the outside. The tape should hold most out until it can cure and harden to seal.

Just plan on there being a mess any way you go.

Of course, the hole may be too large to seal this way.

[Terry M.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Bruce,

3M makes a product called Heavy Seam Sealer. It is designed to do exactly what you are asking. I have it in gray, but it might come in other colors. Tomorrow I can go to the garage and get you the part number. Professional body shop supply stores sell it.

[bruce11495]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Terry....If you could get that part number, it would be very appreciated.

[Bill W.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

If you can get to the spot with a stirring stick or your fingers I would use 3Ms urathane baggy sealer. it sets in about 1 hour .is paintable will not shrink ,and is waterproof.It also stays flexable. we use it on all body seams when replacing floors,roofs,qt.pnls. etc. I dont think they still make drip check sealer or pump grade black sealer. any auto paint store that sells 3M should have it .Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Bill named the product, and he should know. Bodywork is his business.

Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer part #08531 5oz tube

Maybe if it has recently been discontinued some is still in the supply chain.

[bruce11495]

Bill & Terry, Thanks very much..... *NM*

[Jim T.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Bruce what year is your car?

[bruce11495]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

1972 coupe......

[Jim T.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....

Bruce my 70 does not leak from the cowl area after the repair I performed. Don't know if you 72 would be exactly like my July built 70, but if it is there is a actual hole in the cowl, actually two holes, one on each side. What covers up these holes in the metal structure of the cowl below the left and right corners of the windshield is a piece of fiberglass that provides support for the upper rear portion of the fender. This support attaches to the metal cowl covering the holes and water running off the windshield can run under the support and come through the round factory hole and get inside the car. I could never find the leak that would drip water on my floor mats from the dash until I discovered the "factory hole" which gave access for the water. This hole cannot be seen from under the dash because there is a another layer of steel which will not permit viewing. If my 68 starts leaking I am going to fix it from the inside rather than doing the rather major type of repair from the outside.
Discovered another leak source also on my drivers side. On both sides lower cowl area just above the top of the door area is a trough to divert and channel water runoff to the plenum drains. On my drivers side when the fcatory worker was applying the panel adhesive, there was so much applied that the extra adhesive filled this trough and was like a dam. The passenger side did not have this extra adhesive filling the trough. Have often wondered how many C3's have these troughs blocked because of the over application of adhesive.
Good luck on your leak repair.

[bruce11495]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....Thanks Jim!! *NM*

[Terry M.]

Re: Sealing a water leak.....Thanks Jim!!

Bruce,
I purchased a tube of the 3M Heavy Drip-Chek Sealer today. The counter person at the paint supply store knew nothing about it being discontinued.