Water under passenger floor board area

[firemedic10584]

So on my brand new BTS edition with only 150 miles on it, I was installing some aftermarket strip lights under my doors. While running the wire into the cab, I discovered moisture/water under the front passenger footwell area under the carpet. From my research, it's possibly the AC drain tube. I dried it out and put my shop vac to the drain tube to see if I could suck anything out. I'm still taking it to the dealer this morning just so it's documented. I'm hoping that's all it is, I do enjoy this truck but know they have quite a few known water leak issues. I'll update this after the dealer trip.

 

[firemedic10584]

Update - the dealer told me to come back this Friday when the "leak specialist" is there. Today, I used compressed air to blow into the drain tube then a pipe cleaner brush to really clear out anything possible in the tube. I was able to insert the brush good ways into the tube. I did not notice anything come out of the tube. I did turn the AC on full blast and water was in fact coming out of the drain tube. I'm letting the carpet / foam piece dry out real good and will monitor it over the next couple days. If it's still getting wet, back to the dealer we'll go on Friday.

 

[turkeybird56]

YES, that drain is a problem, same on MY 19. A horizontal drain outlet is insane. I am gonna measure and get a PVC elbow to put there to assist. If U check when running, U will feel that apparently the design has "air" blowing out that tube maybe to assist with drain? OH, and Standard PVC not fit, U need a metric size.

 

[Ramjack]

There is a drain line that actually drains INSIDE the truck?

 

[turkeybird56]

There is a drain line that actually drains INSIDE the truck?

NO, that line drains in the engine compartment. It comes out horizontal, on the right side of the motor, almost against the firewall, below the hoses/return lines. With the engine running, and AC on, U can feel "ac" air coming out of the drain I guess to assist with draining. IMHO, a really bad design as water always seeks the most direct lower route, and this drain is horizontal. I have actually put a pencil, eraser side into hole as far as I can reach and also a straw and this kinda helps open the drain, I think, LOL.

NOW, this is on MY 19, I do not know on 20 or 21 vehicles.

 

[firemedic10584]

NO, that line drains in the engine compartment. It comes out horizontal, on the right side of the motor, almost against the firewall, below the hoses/return lines. With the engine running, and AC on, U can feel "ac" air coming out of the drain I guess to assist with draining. IMHO, a really bad design as water always seeks the most direct lower route, and this drain is horizontal. I have actually put a pencil, eraser side into hole as far as I can reach and also a straw and this kinda helps open the drain, I think, LOL.

NOW, this is on MY 19, I do not know on 20 or 21 vehicles.

View attachment 97549

This is identical to what my '21 looks like...so how did you fix yours? I'm almost confident the drain is not clogged. But I alas have more water under the foam piece under the carpet again...

 

[Maple]

Check your windshield cowl drain - that was backing up on me, flowing water over the intake for the cabin air. If you pull out the cabin air filter and it's soaked, that's a good sign that it's sloshing in through there. Might be something lodged in there from production, I can't imagine you'd have enough leaves and crud built up on it already - that's what clogged mine. Perils of parking under an overactive maple tree.

 

[firemedic10584]

Check your windshield cowl drain - that was backing up on me, flowing water over the intake for the cabin air. If you pull out the cabin air filter and it's soaked, that's a good sign that it's sloshing in through there. Might be something lodged in there from production, I can't imagine you'd have enough leaves and crud built up on it already - that's what clogged mine. Perils of parking under an overactive maple tree.

Mine is as dry as a whistle.

 

[firemedic10584]

Does anyone know how to access the drain tube from INSIDE the truck? I feel like maybe when I pushed the pipe brush through it from the engine bay, maybe I pushed something further down into it? But I do have water that exits the tube as it's supposed to when the AC is running...so I'm at a loss.

 

[turkeybird56]

This is identical to what my '21 looks like...so how did you fix yours? I'm almost confident the drain is not clogged. But I alas have more water under the foam piece under the carpet again...

I at this time do not have an answer. MY thought was to put a PVC elbow on there and direct at a 45 degree angle, as water does look for a low spot. But all the US sized PVC either too big/too small to fit in drain hole or over the drain. So, think may need a metric size. But nobody sells em, and metric pipe is sized differently. I have only seen oconus sites ref pvc, and cannot get a good reading ref what I need, so currently stumped. I was thinking of maybe a small hose, premade and bent (U remember the small hoses that used to be on top of Chrysler/Dodge water pumps), but have not explored that possibility yet. WHEN I go back to the dealership to get O2 sensors, I will have a talk with my SA.

 

[firemedic10584]

I at this time do not have an answer. MY thought was to put a PVC elbow on there and direct at a 45 degree angle, as water does look for a low spot. But all the US sized PVC either too big/too small to fit in drain hole or over the drain. So, think may need a metric size. But nobody sells em, and metric pipe is sized differently. I have only seen oconus sites ref pvc, and cannot get a good reading ref what I need, so currently stumped. I was thinking of maybe a small hose, premade and bent (U remember the small hoses that used to be on top of Chrysler/Dodge water pumps), but have not explored that possibility yet. WHEN I go back to the dealership to get O2 sensors, I will have a talk with my SA.

I don’t feel like this would solve the water from flowing back into the cab though?

 

[Dusty1948]

Does anyone know how to access the drain tube from INSIDE the truck? I feel like maybe when I pushed the pipe brush through it from the engine bay, maybe I pushed something further down into it? But I do have water that exits the tube as it's supposed to when the AC is running...so I'm at a loss.

The drain tube is only accessible by removing the HVAC assembly from inside the vehicle.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

 

[Dusty1948]

I don’t feel like this would solve the water from flowing back into the cab though?

I don't either. Most of the vehicles I've worked on have a very similar way of draining water from the HVAC assembly. My last Toyota Avalon was almost identical in design.

As long as the drain is flowing water (no obstructions) and the tube extends and clears the firewall, draining should be fine.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

 

[firemedic10584]

I don't either. Most of the vehicles I've worked on have a very similar way of draining water from the HVAC assembly. My last Toyota Avalon was almost identical in design.

As long as the drain is flowing water (no obstructions) and the tube extends and clears the firewall, draining should be fine.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

So you’re thinking there must be an obstruction still if it is in fact a drain tube issue? Water does appear to be flowing out of my drain tube when the AC is running. So I’m not sure what the issue is.

 

[Dusty1948]

So you’re thinking there must be an obstruction still if it is in fact a drain tube issue? Water does appear to be flowing out of my drain tube when the AC is running. So I’m not sure what the issue is.

There are a number of ways water could get into the area under the carpet. Someone mentioned that the cowl drains could be clogged, and that would be my next suspect. (I have personal experience with that issue!)

There could be another path through the firewall. For instance there were a few reports of inadequate amount of sealer applied to the body seam at the firewall end.

Do you have a sunroof?

At this point I'd let the leak special attack the issue.

Good luck and best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

 

[firemedic10584]

There are a number of ways water could get into the area under the carpet. Someone mentioned that the cowl drains could be clogged, and that would be my next suspect. (I have personal experience with that issue!)

There could be another path through the firewall. For instance there were a few reports of inadequate amount of sealer applied to the body seam at the firewall end.

Do you have a sunroof?

At this point I'd let the leak special attack the issue.

Good luck and best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

No sunroof and there was water noted there again when it did not rain out after I had already let the carpet dry out. But I think you’re right, I’ll have to just let the specialist and dealer figure this one out.

 

[turkeybird56]

Yup, agree on all, and also if drain does not drain and clogs, oops. I just happened to be out and running truck a long time, sitting idling, AC blowing, not a drop. Did a lil research and saw "some" PPL had issue with drain and used eraser side of pencil to clear obstruction. I not be a mechanic, but do believe some PPL may have this issue as I did. After pencil poke, flowed real real well. Guess maybe be spoiled, used to seeing a flood under a truck with AC running, instead of drops, who knows. BUT a Great truck, great ride, the AC is my only BIG complaint on the 5th Gens, which is why I just had the TSB for the AC completed on the truck last week.

 

[turkeybird56]

Dang, U move a

I don't either. Most of the vehicles I've worked on have a very similar way of draining water from the HVAC assembly. My last Toyota Avalon was almost identical in design.

As long as the drain is flowing water (no obstructions) and the tube extends and clears the firewall, draining should be fine.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.

Dang, U drive a lot of miles.....

 

[Ramjack]

No sunroof and there was water noted there again when it did not rain out after I had already let the carpet dry out. But I think you’re right, I’ll have to just let the specialist and dealer figure this one out.

Did you give your truck the Carolina Squat treatment? That might prevent the condensation from flowing freely. Just a (largely useless) thought.

 

[Dusty1948]

Dang, U move a

Dang, U drive a lot of miles.....

Yes, of course I may have one of the older DTs as it'll be three years old next month.

Best regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 052505 miles.