Water in the back seat of 1999 C4 Cab

[Boston996]

Hi all, I have read a lot about leaking AC drain tubes, clogged AC drain tubes, and improperly applied door seals, door panel membranes, etc. But...this water in the back seat of my C4 cab stumps me. Its NOT from the top, the top seals, etc. Near as I can tell its not from any of the aforementioned issues...unless I am missing something. The AC for example seems to be dripping out from the underside as it should. The water is actually up in the pass rear seat well and on the floor of the pass rear. Is there such a thing as a convertible top drain tube for the cab tray or something like that? Any help that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I've got the carpet, padding and rear seats and seat belts out now trying to dry things out :unsure: ...

[judgejon]

Hi all, I have read a lot about leaking AC drain tubes, clogged AC drain tubes, and improperly applied door seals, door panel membranes, etc. But...this water in the back seat of my C4 cab stumps me. Its NOT from the top, the top seals, etc. Near as I can tell its not from any of the aforementioned issues...unless I am missing something. The AC for example seems to be dripping out from the underside as it should. The water is actually up in the pass rear seat well and on the floor of the pass rear. Is there such a thing as a convertible top drain tube for the cab tray or something like that? Any help that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I've got the carpet, padding and rear seats and seat belts out now trying to dry things out :unsure: ...

sounds like you're on the right track. I had a mysterious leak into the back seat area of my older 911SC that turned out to be coming from the connection of one of the drain tubes of the sunroof bay. the tube ends up at a discharge hole at the back of the roof. found it eventually by taking out the headliner. guess is your right about a "secret" top drain tube, possibly in the convertible top bay area? good luck..

[Loren]

You should read through all of this topic...

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=7791

[Kim]

When you read through the link that Loren supplied, read carefully. There are two related, but distinctly separate causes of the rear cab drain system leaks.

1. The simplest: a clogged drain valve located behind the forward wall of the rear wheel well cover. Clean it out, and you're done.

2. A problem behind the rear seat side wall panel, where the upper cab drain tray drains into the lower cab drain tray (from which the tube runs to the wheel well). In my case, there was a leaking connection on the hose between the two.

I have also seen a crack in the upper tray nipple that leads into the tube to the lower tray.

I have also seen the tube to the lower tray displaced, so that it drains free into the car behind the side panel.

Any of these problems can cause the floor carpet and carpet under the rear seat cushion to be soaked following a car wash or rain.

If you have the tray related problems, you can search for my thread in the Feb, 05 vicinity. In it, I detail how to remove the rear seat back (unusual tool required) and how to get into the tray area itself.

[judgejon]

wow, this info is worth the price of admission, and I dont even own a cab...

to stay modestly on topic, does the 996 sunroof have a similar drain system? I cant find any drain holes. j

[Loren]

wow, this info is worth the price of admission, and I dont even own a cab...

to stay modestly on topic, does the 996 sunroof have a similar drain system? I cant find any drain holes. j

See the same topic I referenced above - topic covers both coupe and cab.

[judgejon]

wow, this info is worth the price of admission, and I dont even own a cab...

to stay modestly on topic, does the 996 sunroof have a similar drain system? I cant find any drain holes. j

See the same topic I referenced above - topic covers both coupe and cab.

thanks, interesting reading and good pics...

[Boston996]

You guys are awesome and I second the sentiment that this is worth the price of admission! I have finally found the time to take it apart and take the seat out and carpet and it is exactly as was originally suggested. The drain plugs behind the wheel wells were clogged with years of debris. It was a simple matter to clear them...not so simple to dry out the car. Luckily the water did not reach any of the electronics and simply soaked the carpets and foam. I really suggest that if anyone has to dry out the carpets that they remove them compeltely. It seems like the only way to get 100% of the water out. The foam holds a lot of water! Anyway, I found some very tiny rust spots at some seams in the pan and I cleaned and painted those. Now I know what to look for and I can simply maintain the drains instead of spending a whole weekend day taking my car apart and smelling nasty water...THANKS!!!