water in weekender ashtray

[Sjwillis]

On our new-to-us weekender (1986), I opened the ashtray that is located next to the jump seat behind the drivers seat and it was full of water.

i washed the van a day or two earlier so i'm guessing water got in that panel somehow.

- the fan is currently rust-free, i'd like to keep it that way. -

- i have brand new window seals in the window next to the jump seat.

- i've searched the forums but only found "yeah, the panels leak on old rusted vanagon" type posts. My seams are rust-free so I'd like to try to troubleshoot this as best as possible.

- Should I remove the interior panel to mitigate the water problem?

- What can I do to prevent entry of water in the future, if anything?

Thanks,
Jim

[Terry Kay]

<<- Should I remove the interior panel to mitigate the water problem?>>

I wouldn't.
Let it load up again the next time you wash it--keep you wondering where it's coming from.

<<What can I do to prevent entry of water in the future, if anything>>

Simple--don't wash the van anymore--
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T.K.

[vanis13]

Quoting entire message above.

Whoa there cowboy. Had a bad day?
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83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

[Terry Kay]

Having a great day thinking about why he's asking if he should take the interior panel off and look to see where the water's coming from.

I wouldn't look , keep on thinking where it might be leaking from--

I always wondered why folks have to ask to get to the root of a problem--or fix something real obvious.

Naw--let the issue fester a little first--then get with it--
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T.K.

[vanis13]

Terry,

My point was –

It’s the guys 6th post.

He establishes himself as a newbie - “On our new-to-us weekender”

He says – “ I’ve searched” and didn’t find a satisfactory response.

He says – this is what I’m thinking of doing. What do you guys (experts / those with more experience with this thing that is new to me) think? Maybe I'm missing a known quirk and instead of chasing dead ends I thought I'd ask.

And there you go jumping on him like he’s an idiot. You think that is positively formidable to him, his impression of this site, and of one of the better technical contributors to this site that as I write this had 7552 posts?

I’ve seen other boards disintegrate because the new blood was criticized by those “senior experts” that started earlier with their learning and forgot that at one time they didn’t know everything either.

Reminds me of that old adage – “It’s like brain surgery, once you know how it’s easy” and for Terry Kay continue the phase with “you idiot”

Another thing to consider – Is sarcasm a violation of the “The No Spin Zone” even just by the simple action of not telling it like it is?

An alternate approach might be –

[atomatom]

vanis13 - save your effort to make better replies. just be the poster you want to see. people arguing over etiquette is even more boring. TK was being sarcastic - I thought it was kind of funny albeit not very helpful. Don't get him started on fish oil.

Jim - check the rust section in the FAQ thread (stickied at the top). Aside from window seals, the other common source of water ingress is the seams cracking and drying. Lots discussed on how to repair or replace. Take the panel off so you can see how bad it is - probably worse than a soggy cigarette.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[Sjwillis]

Ok so it's pouring rain here today so I popped out into the back of the vanagon and sat in the jump seat for a minute to watch for leaks and contemplate how Taleb's "black swan theory" relates to the maxim "all vanagon owners are nice, patient and kind."

While doing so I observed a leak in the new window seal where water was pooling up on the outside in the window channel.

I'll review the rust section (thanks for that suggestion) for further details but understand my initial questions need rephrasing:

- I have two little kids and zero free time, on a scale of 1 (I really need to hang this air freshened from my rear view mirror) and 10 (leaking fuel lines*) where should I put "remove interior panel" on my list of priorities?

- as for diagnosing the leak, I'll search around for "leaking brand new window seals" but if anyone has any advice, pls share. Thanks all!

*my fuel lines have been replaced I'm just putting that up as a frame of reference.

[atomatom]

The scale is relative to your long term plans. If you don't care about rust eating away the inside of your panels then it is a 1. If you do, it is probably a 7 or 8.

I have two small kids too. If you want the quick fix, you can visually check the seams and spray fluid-film or some other waxy gunk on dried out looking bits - won't last forever, but might stop it for the summer and slow down the rust damage. Some people dribble oil through the seam cracks which seems like a reasonable thing to do to protect the insides, but clearly another buying time fix.

I have a leaky rear hatch window - but it is not new. I have a seal to replace. If you didn't do the install yourself, you should take it back to the shop. Perhaps it was installed poorly or ripped/cut in the process.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[Terry Kay]

<<And there you go jumping on him like he’s an idiot. You think that is positively formidable to him.
Reminds me of that old adage – “It’s like brain surgery, once you know how it’s easy” and for Terry Kay continue the phase with “you idiot”
Another thing to consider – Is sarcasm a violation of the “The No Spin Zone” even just by the simple action of not telling it like it is?>>

I did not draw any parrameter's pointing directly at Gomer Pyle.
He asked if he wanted to find the root of the leak should he remove the interior panel--this isn't brain surgery.

I think if he wanted to find it, that would be a real good idea.

If he had a flat tire should he ask if he should put air back in it?
If the Van was burning, should he ask how to put it out?
If the engine was running hot & rattling, should ask if he should check for low coolant or oil?

Common'

I don't know why he asked, the answer is pretty obvious & he knew the answer.

I think it would be a real good idea to find the source of the interior water leak that's filling the ash tray by removing the panel see where it's coming from
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T.K.

[MarkWard]

Jim, welcome to the Samba. I hate water leaks. The only real way to find them is to get a friend, a hose, and a flashlight. Be glad the leak is not in a trunk or under the dash. In answer to your question, you may need to remove interior pieces to find the leak. Water will run to the lowest point, before it drips off, so the leak, might not be directly above the ashtray. Sometimes the fix is as easy as a dab of silicone. Post pictures of your new to you ride.

[dhaavers]

When reading TK's posts, it helps me set the tone by imagining background
music...alternating between the theme from Jaws and Benny Hill...

PS: Hope you find the source of your water problem...
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Terry Kay]

Imagine this;

The background music is a twist between Berlioz Symphonie fantastique, Counrty Charlie Pride, Bob Dylan & the Stones.

Now, I let the cat outa the bag--Meow--

Talk about a twisted Sista--
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T.K.

[dhaavers]

^^^
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>