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colt 200 (1989) body drain hole locations?

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Tanya

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Oct 6, 2005, 9:02:04 PM10/6/05
to
hello,
x-posted...
chrysler / mitsubishi / dodge / plymouth COLT 200 (2000 series) 1989,
4-door.
<rain> water leaks into the trunk (major flood), and the floor (driver's
side (front and back) and passenger side, front and back)
it is not a weather-stripping problem... (have been to body and
auto-glass shops and reattached the trunk weather stripping after
putting wire through it (to raise it up)
no rust (to explain this)
i have the service manual and a chilton manual but cannot find the
location of the body drain holes....
could somebody please tell me where to look (in the manual -- and / or
on the car)
the chilton manual states to use a small screw-driver -- are the drain
holes that short?
thank you in advance and sorry if this post is unclear.

Mike

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Oct 6, 2005, 11:36:06 PM10/6/05
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"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:4345C90C...@attglobal.net...

The water is most likely coming into the trunk around the tail lights. It
is a common problem on those cars. Remove the tail lights and clean off all
of the factory sealer. Apply a thick bead of silicone sealer and re-install
the lights. That should take care of the leak.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say body drain holes. There should be
some plugs in the floor and trunk which may be removed to let the water
out.You will need to put them back in place before driving the car or they
will let water back in. The one in the trunk should be under the spare tire.
The ones in the floor will look similiar but will be under the carpet. It
may be easier to find them by looking underneath the car.


Tanya

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Oct 7, 2005, 12:23:39 AM10/7/05
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Mike wrote:

thanks Mike,
i'll try the tail-lights (1 has a crack in it...) but there is A LOT of water in
the trunk (around 3" deep)

re: the body drain holes: the drains that drain water when it pools in the
?gutters? above the doors and on both sides of the trunk lid, the windshield ...

the book states: "drain holes in the doors and rocker panels..." but there is no
picture / diagram so i would like to know where they are.
thanks!
sincerely
Tanya


David

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Oct 7, 2005, 11:29:59 AM10/7/05
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"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:4345F84A...@attglobal.net...
Those are the exposed holes at the bottom of the doors. they automatically
drain the moisture out of the doors. The actually look like wide slits at
the bottom of the door, were the inner door meets the outer door skin, just
above the crimp. You do not open those. The drain, as stated previously for
the trunk is at the bottom of the well. Use a cup or jug to remove the water
in there. Then reseal the lights. If you really wanted to sit inside the
trunk with it closed and have a flashlight on. And have a friend spray a
water hose all around the trunk opening, and rear window to see were the
water is leaking from. It could be leaking from the rear window.


Tanya

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Oct 7, 2005, 2:43:20 PM10/7/05
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David wrote:

thank you David,
why do you advise not to open the body drain holes?
i did find them (i think) assuming they are the only holes (slits) in the
underside of the doors...
i also noted (just now) that there is rust in a few specific areas under the
doors which would have formed when they are closed.
what is the purpose of the drains in the doors and rocker panels?

as for the trunk: i removed a lot of water yesterday -- i think the spare is
toast as there's lots of rust.

there are rust *lines* coming from the insides of the tail-lights... what would
happen if i applied silicone (btw what kind?) without removing the lights?

re: the trunk drains: i imagine it is under the spare...
do you know where the drains are the stop water from entering the trunk to begin
with? judging from the location of the tail-lights and the location of the rust
streaks, i feel that the water has several origins.

the rear window is fine (according to an auto-glass shop and a body shop)

and as for lying in the trunk -- what about a white sheet and food coloring to
see where the leaks are?

thank you very much!
sincerely
Tanya


David

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Oct 7, 2005, 3:50:41 PM10/7/05
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"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:4346C1C8...@attglobal.net...

I meant do not open the slits in the doors, as they are always open.

> i did find them (i think) assuming they are the only holes (slits) in the
> underside of the doors...
> i also noted (just now) that there is rust in a few specific areas under
> the
> doors which would have formed when they are closed.
> what is the purpose of the drains in the doors and rocker panels?

It helps to circulate air inside the door, to dry out the inside of the
doors, as moisture is always going to get in via the windows. Also to
relieve the air pressure of closing the doors with the windows up.


>
> as for the trunk: i removed a lot of water yesterday -- i think the spare
> is
> toast as there's lots of rust.
>
> there are rust *lines* coming from the insides of the tail-lights... what
> would
> happen if i applied silicone (btw what kind?) without removing the lights?
>
> re: the trunk drains: i imagine it is under the spare...
> do you know where the drains are the stop water from entering the trunk to
> begin

> with? The drains are at the lowest point in the trunk. If it was leaking,
> your water would not be in there as it would drain out were it leaked in.

judging from the location of the tail-lights and the location of the rust
> streaks, i feel that the water has several origins.
>
> the rear window is fine (according to an auto-glass shop and a body shop)
>
> and as for lying in the trunk -- what about a white sheet and food
> coloring to
> see where the leaks are?

All that will do is stain the sheet. It will not tell you were it is coming
from without actually seeing were the drips are from the trunk surround.

nospam.c...@sny.der.on.ca

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Oct 7, 2005, 6:32:40 PM10/7/05
to

My daughter had one of those cars, and the trunk leaked like a seive.
When I removed and resealed the tail-lights, the leak totally stopped.
You can NOT reseal them without removing them - and they are easy to
remove and replace.

Tanya

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Oct 7, 2005, 10:01:04 PM10/7/05
to
hi David,
<random snips>

David wrote:

> >> >> The water is most likely coming into the trunk around the tail
> >> >> lights.
> >> >> It
> >> >> is a common problem on those cars. Remove the tail lights and clean
> >> >> off
> >> >> all
> >> >> of the factory sealer. Apply a thick bead of silicone sealer and
> >> >> re-install
> >> >> the lights. That should take care of the leak.
> >> >>
> >> >> I'm not sure what you mean when you say body drain holes. There
> >> >> should
> >> >> be
> >> >> some plugs in the floor and trunk which may be removed to let the
> >> >> water
> >> >> out.You will need to put them back in place before driving the car or
> >> >> they
> >> >> will let water back in. The one in the trunk should be under the spare
> >> >> tire.
> >> >> The ones in the floor will look similiar but will be under the carpet.
> >> >> It
> >> >> may be easier to find them by looking underneath the car.

doubt i'd go under a car... do you know how large the drains are? (i couldn't
look for the drain in the trunk today b/c car's under a tarp (it's raining))

would a flooded trunk cause water to go into the auto (floors)? the floors are
wet too. (it's not a hatch-back)

what would happen if they got blocked?

> > what is the purpose of the drains in the doors and rocker panels?
> It helps to circulate air inside the door, to dry out the inside of the
> doors, as moisture is always going to get in via the windows. Also to
> relieve the air pressure of closing the doors with the windows up.
> >
> > as for the trunk: i removed a lot of water yesterday -- i think the spare
> > is
> > toast as there's lots of rust.
> >
> > there are rust *lines* coming from the insides of the tail-lights... what
> > would
> > happen if i applied silicone (btw what kind?) without removing the lights?
> >
> > re: the trunk drains: i imagine it is under the spare...
> > do you know where the drains are the stop water from entering the trunk to
> > begin
> > with? The drains are at the lowest point in the trunk. If it was leaking,
> > your water would not be in there as it would drain out were it leaked in.

sorry -- i was assuming the body drain holes drained pooled water out of the car
and that if they were blocked water would run off into the auto:)

> judging from the location of the tail-lights and the location of the rust
> > streaks, i feel that the water has several origins.
> >
> > the rear window is fine (according to an auto-glass shop and a body shop)
> >
> > and as for lying in the trunk -- what about a white sheet and food
> > coloring to
> > see where the leaks are?
>
> All that will do is stain the sheet. It will not tell you were it is coming
> from without actually seeing were the drips are from the trunk surround.
>
> > thank you very much!
> > sincerely
> > Tanya
> >
> >

thanks again!
but i guess the main question is whether a flooded trunk could cause flooded
floors without the car being a hatchback.....
sincerely
Tanya

Tanya

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Oct 7, 2005, 10:01:20 PM10/7/05
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nospam.c...@sny.der.on.ca wrote:

are they?
(the car had *body* work for a minor mva in 2000 and the tail light on the side
that was "fixed" has gobs of black silicone around it on the inside...

would water leaking around the tail pipes cause wetness in the trunk (on the
fabric "carpet" above the board that covers the spare)?

did the interior floors of her car flood as well?

thanks
happy thanksgiving
sincerely
Tanya
p.s. do you know what grade (type) of silicone to use to reseal the lights?

nospam.c...@sny.der.on.ca

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Oct 7, 2005, 10:16:22 PM10/7/05
to

They tried to fix the leak the stupid way. It should still remove
without too much trouble


>
>would water leaking around the tail

I assume you mean tail lights


> pipes cause wetness in the trunk (on the
>fabric "carpet" above the board that covers the spare)?

Most often, yes


>
>did the interior floors of her car flood as well?

Yes

>
>thanks
>happy thanksgiving
>sincerely
>Tanya
>p.s. do you know what grade (type) of silicone to use to reseal the lights?

Go to an automotive jobber and buy the Permatex (loctite) product
called "Rite Stuff", in black. Apply thin bead on both surfaces and
let set up for a couple minutes (skin over) then bolt together.

Tanya

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Oct 8, 2005, 12:31:09 AM10/8/05
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nospam.c...@sny.der.on.ca wrote:

thanks...
i meant tail lights:)
i appreciate the info.
sincerely
Tanya


David

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Oct 8, 2005, 9:30:19 AM10/8/05
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"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:43472860...@attglobal.net...

About the diameter of a can of vegetables.(soup can)

>
> would a flooded trunk cause water to go into the auto (floors)? the floors
> are
> wet too. (it's not a hatch-back)
>

Yes, the carpeting and material in the seats will wick the moisture
throughout the car.

Then moisture would build up inside the doors, and besides alot of mold, the
bottom of your doors would rust away in very short time. Leave them alone.
But do clean the bottoms of the dopors very well, to make sure these holes
do not become blocked.

Stewart DIBBS

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Oct 8, 2005, 10:12:00 AM10/8/05
to

"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:43472860...@attglobal.net...

> but i guess the main question is whether a flooded trunk could cause
> flooded
> floors without the car being a hatchback.....

When the spare wheel well fills with water (from leaks around the tail
lights), just braking causes the water to slosh foreward, run under the rear
seat and saturate the rear floor carpet.

Stewart DIBBS
www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm


Tanya

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Oct 9, 2005, 9:15:37 PM10/9/05
to
hello David,
thanks for replying..
[...below...]
<snips>

> > doubt i'd go under a car... do you know how large the drains are? (i
> > couldn't
> > look for the drain in the trunk today b/c car's under a tarp (it's
> > raining))
>
> About the diameter of a can of vegetables.(soup can)

i found it (it is fully rusted)

> > would a flooded trunk cause water to go into the auto (floors)? the floors
> > are
> > wet too. (it's not a hatch-back)
> >
>
> Yes, the carpeting and material in the seats will wick the moisture
> throughout the car.

with the interior floors: the water was brownish (which now i realize was rust)
-- wonder whether that will be a problem to deal with...

> > what would happen if they got blocked?
>
> Then moisture would build up inside the doors, and besides alot of mold, the
> bottom of your doors would rust away in very short time. Leave them alone.
> But do clean the bottoms of the dopors very well, to make sure these holes
> do not become blocked.

there's no mold...

> > sorry -- i was assuming the body drain holes drained pooled water out of
> > the car
> > and that if they were blocked water would run off into the auto:)
> >
> >> judging from the location of the tail-lights and the location of the rust
> >> > streaks, i feel that the water has several origins.
> >> >
> >> > the rear window is fine (according to an auto-glass shop and a body
> >> > shop)
> >> >
> >> > and as for lying in the trunk -- what about a white sheet and food
> >> > coloring to
> >> > see where the leaks are?
> >>
> >> All that will do is stain the sheet. It will not tell you were it is
> >> coming
> >> from without actually seeing were the drips are from the trunk surround.

except for the following: there's a luggage rack and the brake light(s) are
actually 2 on the auto and a bar across the trunk lid.... (cannot find anything
about the brake "rod" (it has colt written on it (different red)) but i think
that this is leaking and there's rust around the screws that attach the luggage
rack to the trunk lid (on the underside of the trunk lid) ... that's why i want
to try food coloring (for the trunk brake light(s), the luggage rack, the brake
lights on the auto)

thank you very much again for answering
sincerely
Tanya


Tanya

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Oct 9, 2005, 9:16:01 PM10/9/05
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Stewart DIBBS wrote:

> "Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:43472860...@attglobal.net...
> > but i guess the main question is whether a flooded trunk could cause
> > flooded
> > floors without the car being a hatchback.....
>
> When the spare wheel well fills with water (from leaks around the tail
> lights), just braking causes the water to slosh foreward, run under the rear
> seat and saturate the rear floor carpet.

in this case the water also saturated the front floors noted first when it was
parked on an incline.
also the water was rusty...

thanks,
sincerely
Tanya

>
>
> Stewart DIBBS
> www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm


Stewart DIBBS

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Oct 10, 2005, 10:50:24 AM10/10/05
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"Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:4349C0D1...@attglobal.net...

> in this case the water also saturated the front floors noted first when it
> was
> parked on an incline.
> also the water was rusty...

I'd say its time to pull out all the seats, then the carpet and see where
the rust holes in the floor are.

Stewart DIBBS
www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm


Tanya

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Oct 10, 2005, 6:53:28 PM10/10/05
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Stewart DIBBS wrote:

> "Tanya" <tjtmdREM...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:4349C0D1...@attglobal.net...
> > in this case the water also saturated the front floors noted first when it
> > was
> > parked on an incline.
> > also the water was rusty...
>
> I'd say its time to pull out all the seats, then the carpet and see where
> the rust holes in the floor are.

that does not sound good...
i thought the rust was coming from the trunk though -- at least the water i
bailed out of the trunk was brown.

> Stewart DIBBS
> www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm

.
i found the leak ... (with food-coloring:) in the left brake-light sort of
half-way through it and comes from the water running down the *gutter* along the
trunk -- not from water hitting the outside of the light.
thanks,
sincerely
Tanya


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