Leaking sill

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adi999999999
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Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:44 pm

Hi. I have a leak coming from the between the inner and outer sill seam just behind the front wheel. Looks like coolant. Any idea where this could be coming from?
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Bob
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Bob » Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:58 pm

I'm pretty sure the long metal pipes to the rear heater pass along there.

If you don't use the heater it can be safely isolated. :wink:

Edit: Might be worth checking it is coolant, maybe put a bit of blotting paper under it?
adi999999999
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:34 pm

Thanks for the reply, I have checked the pipes that run past there and they are all ok, the liquid is actually dripping out of the sill
Katka
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Katka » Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:44 pm

Is it oily, have a smell, a taste if you're brave....... ? Might help with identifying its source.
Bob
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Bob » Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:52 pm

Possibly just condensation if it's not coolant. [-o<
Propnut
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Propnut » Thu Apr 01, 2021 10:59 pm

I too have water that drips from the OS sill exiting behind the front mudflap. I used to park the van facing uphill and noticed it dripping after a run on a dry day and parked facing downhill. I havent been able to establish where it's getting in and am convinced there's too much of it to be condensation which I know does accumulate between the skins but I'd expect both sides to be affected if that were the case. Since owning the van I've been annually spraying waxoyl underneath and in every possible chassis and shell opening including removing the trays above the wheelarch to get a good coating inside there. I now think that I've inadvertently blocked some of the drains in the body and that water is building up behind a waxoyl dam. As for where it's getting in in the first place; possibly the rear lamp, the rear door surround? The roof and gutters seem sound enough so I don't think it's there.

I now park yhe van facing downhill to enable it to drain freely rather than puddling in the sill, not really cured the problem but hopefully preventing another.

No answers I'm affraid only cold comfort that you're not alone.
adi999999999
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:33 pm

It is strange, I have had the van 5 years and this has only started over the past week, we have had no rain so I don’t think it is water ingress, do you think it could be the rear heater leaking and the water finding it’s way out through the sill?
Bob
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Bob » Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:27 am

Possible, since the heater matrix is inside.

Are you loosing coolant, ie level dropping?
adi999999999
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Fri Apr 02, 2021 7:31 am

No noticeable loss of coolant level, I am going to place a cup under it over Easter to collect the liquid in the hope of determining what it is.
Ian
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Ian » Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:07 am

Why not put some dye in the header tank, take the vehicle for a run, park it up, and see if there is any dye in the leakage. If so you have a problem in your coolant system.
668. The Neighbour of The Beast.
adi999999999
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:31 am

Great idea. Thanks
Propnut
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Propnut » Fri Apr 02, 2021 8:40 pm

Mine certainly isn't coming from a leak in the rear heater, it's been disconnected and the pipes linked under the van. Like you I have owned the van for a good few years and it's only in recent times that it's been dripping from the sill. I think mine is rain getting in somewhere. I first noticed it when I parked facing downhill to fuel up at a filling station up the road after it had sat facing uphill on the drive in heavy rain.

Catch a drip on your finger and taste it, if it's sweet it's coolant.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by Northern Bongolow » Fri Apr 02, 2021 11:23 pm

There are 3 or 4 rubber grommets on the inner/ underside of the cill, take em out temporarily, see if you get wet.
The Cill has upright sections welded inside, maybe one has finally rotted through and is letting water through, mine did this when .my rear arches started rotting.
adi999999999
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by adi999999999 » Wed Apr 07, 2021 9:18 am

Removed the grommets, and the inside of the sill is surprisingly clean, no build up of water, however the leak has not been present for the last 2 days, so I will keep an eye on it and put it down to one of those annoying things you never get to the bottom of.
Thanks for all the help/suggestions.
rita
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Re: Leaking sill

Post by rita » Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:38 am

As a matter of interest what type of roof is on the vehicle?.
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