Water intrusion into the body (Freelander 1)

When water enters the body, always use a logical approach to the problem of fixing a leak, using experience, knowledge and intuition. You can't make a decision based on what you see, like when you find water on the floor of your car, you can't immediately decide that the windshield joint is leaking. It can often happen that water is leaking into the cabin in another place. Using the right technique will increase the ability to detect where water has entered the bodywork, no matter how hidden it may be.

Tools and equipment

It is recommended to use the following tools and equipment to detect and repair body leaks:

• 1. Manual garden sprayer.
• 2. Vacuum cleaner for dry or wet cleaning.
• 3. Dry cloth that absorbs moisture.
• 4. Hand lamp.
• 5. A small mirror.
• 6. A device for detecting leaks.
• 7. Tool for removing overlays.
• 8. Small plastic or wooden wedges.
• 9. Source of compressed air supply.
• 10. Hot air source.
• 11. Equipment for applying a protective composition.
• 12. Ultrasonic leak detector.

When a leak is detected, three parts of the car should be considered:

• Front interior of the cabin.
• The back of the cabin.
• Luggage compartment or trunk.

Examination

Using the information received from the customer, the technician can determine where to start leak detection. After finding the area of leakage, you should accurately determine the place where water enters the body.

A simple and effective device is, above all, a conventional garden sprayer, equipped with a pump and a spray control mechanism that allows you to supply water in the form of a wide or narrow jet. Explore dark places with a mirror and flashlight (DO NOT use a portable mains powered lamp).


It is very important to follow the correct search sequence. Start at the lowest point and work your way up to avoid mistakes in locating the leak. For example, if you start checking in the windshield area, then water entering the air intake duct may seep through the baffle guide bush to the passenger compartment floor. In this case, you can make the wrong decision that the windshield seal is leaking.

Another important place to check is door seals, plugs and sealing strips, which may be broken or loose, as well as the doors themselves may be loose against the seals.

Leak repair

Once a leak has been identified, it must be cleaned using the following procedure:

• 1. Replace any door seals and sealing strips that are damaged, deformed, or loose.
• 2. Check all body seals to ensure that all plugs and strips are properly seated on the body surface. Use an edge-folding tool if necessary.
• 3. Dry the joints before processing, using compressed or heated air, if necessary.
• 4. Where possible, apply sealant to the outside of the joint to prevent water intrusion.
• 5. When eliminating leakage through the windshield seal (or through the windshield sticker directly into the body opening), avoid removing the windshield if possible. Apply sealant where required (e.g. between glass and seal or between glass and body).