Water in the Map Pocket

[toomdog]

Hi folks,
I'm not sure if this is specifically a Ghia question (in fact, I suspect it's not), but a Ghia is what I have with this problem.

I noticed one day, out of the blue, that my passenger map pocket was full of water, maybe 3" deep. I was actually kind of impressed it would hold that much without leaking. But where did it come from?
I had taken her to a car wash for the first time a few days prior, the kind you put money in and run the power sprayer yourself. Her rubber is real lousy (new seals on the way!), so I was careful which direction and where I was spraying. My friend and I drove it to a car show from the car wash and didn't notice any water anywhere all day.

Of course, as soon as I noticed the water, I cleaned it up. A baster did most of the work and paper towels dried up the rest. about a week later, we had some rain. With that incident still on my mind, I checked the map pockets and found them dry—Oh, what a relief!
But the next rain that came, I checked again and both doors were holding water in the map pockets.
No sign of water inside, just map pockets full of water. The next rain after that, the driver's side had dried up and stayed that way, but passenger (the first door to be observed with water) was indeed still holding water.

I wouldn't expect it to be coming up from below—that much water in the door would be noticeable and I don't think it could get that high, but if the pocket is watertight enough to hold 3" of water for three days, I wouldn't expect it to leak in from the bottom.
Where is it coming from? Do you think replacing window and door seals will stop it? I don't know if my doors have a plastic lining, but could that being missing cause this?

Any help would be appreciated!
-Matt

[Era Vulgaris]

My guess is you're missing the vapor barrier between the door and door panel. The back of the door panels are masonite, which will absorb and hold water, and eventually just disintegrate if too much water gets on them for too long a period of time.
Take your door panels off. Be prepared for the possibility that they will crumble when you do.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[sputnick60]

The door needs to have the vapour barrier to prevent water making it all over the door card. This photo is from my '66 showing an original door and how it was done in the factory, although some of the glue has let go after 50 or so years.

Note the upper 2/3 is glued to the inner door around the opening and the lower 1/3 is tucked into the opening.

You'll need to get the door cards off to inspect what's actually there. You can use a spatula to get between the door and the door card to spread the lifting force and not damage the door cards.

Are the window weather strips in good order? If they are not pressing against the glass this can be a way for the water to get in.

Good luck

Nicholas
_________________
'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Heiferman]

Anyone have a link for the vapor barrier and gooey glue? I have looked for that before (not recently) and failed find it.

Edit - knowing what to call it helped.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all22405

Any other suggested sources for a Ghia and what glue are ya using?
_________________
- 1973 Thing, 1970 Ghia, some LandCruisers and an old Ambulance

[kiwighia68]