Water In Doors

[adm91]

I've got a 97 XLS ... after it rains water tends to accumulate in the passenger side doors, both front and rear. I can just hear it sloshing around.

Maybe it's not draining properly? Any ideas for a fix?

[robcam13]

check your drain holes they are probably plugged.

[tzagi]

How about drilling a couple of 1/4 inch holes in the bottom of the door to allow the water to drain?

[adm91]

I can't really see any holes, although I'll look harder. I feel like I should try to unclog them before drilling into the doors, haha.

[robcam13]

New Audio System On 97 - It's Easy this will give you some good pics on the doors and how to remove the door panels if u want to go all out and see what is causing the water issue.

[NRecob]

I just went through this on my '95 and found the drain plugs in the bottom of my rear doors (as I recall, there are 2 per door)...

If you don't see these black plastic plugs to pull so your doors can drain let me know--I can shoot closer up photos....

[Jack Deth]

on my 99, the drain holes in the door did not line up with the holes in the weatherstrip at the bottom of the door. the weatherstrip covered them. i worked the strip loose a little and cut new notches in it with a dremel abrasive cutting disc. the upper part of the strip that i cut into has a steel core.

[adm91]

Originally Posted by NRecob

I just went through this on my '95 and found the drain plugs in the bottom of my rear doors (as I recall, there are 2 per door)...

If you don't see these black plastic plugs to pull so your doors can drain let me know--I can shoot closer up photos....

There weren't any photos attached to that post, but I'd appreciate it.

I've not had much time to focus completely on this issue, but it did rain last night, and today does start the weekend. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough. Or I'm inept.

I did notice that it seems to be seeping through the paneling in the back doors — I'd like to get everything fixed so that I don't get too much water damage. Will I need to take off the panels in order to access the holes?

[NRecob]

Originally Posted by adm91

There weren't any photos attached to that post, but I'd appreciate it.

I've not had much time to focus completely on this issue, but it did rain last night, and today does start the weekend. Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough. Or I'm inept.

I did notice that it seems to be seeping through the paneling in the back doors — I'd like to get everything fixed so that I don't get too much water damage. Will I need to take off the panels in order to access the holes?

My post before didn't have any photos--i was referring to a previous posts links to photos of the doors/plugs (it was a good shot for the overall door--but for the plugs not so great--I found the plugs only after going over the door inch by inch--they are not easy to find IMO). In any event, I'll shoot some photos here in a bit and get them uploaded (I'll have to re-remember how to do that. lol).

Finally, no, you don't have to take the door apart to get to these plugs! (at least not on my '95 Avalon XL you don't). Again, I'll get the photos up shortly--pull these plugs and let the water drain out--I even shook the doors back and forth to get all the water out I could and I even left the doors open for a while after. I never did reinstall the plugs (they're in my ashtray). You may or may not want to reinstall yours....

HTH

[adm91]

Originally Posted by NRecob

My post before didn't have any photos--i was referring to a previous posts links to photos of the doors/plugs (it was a good shot for the overall door--but for the plugs not so great--I found the plugs after going over the door inch by inch). In any event, I'll shoot some photos here in a bit and get them uploaded (I'll have to re-remember how to do that. lol).

Finally, no, you don't have to take the door apart to get to these plugs! (at least not on my '95 Avalon XL you don't). Again, I'll get the photos up shortly--pull these plugs and let the water drain out--I even shook the doors back and forth to get all the water out I could and I even left the doors open for a while after. I never did reinstall the plugs (they're in my ashtray). You may or may not want to reinstall yours....

HTH

On the left rear door I pulled back the very bottom strip of weather stripping on the far right — it didn't come off, it just moved out and up a little — and the water started to flow out pretty quickly. Because a little water was coming out below the paneling, I unscrewed the bottom screws and lifted it up a bit — not a lot of water, but when I ran my finger under it I just got a lot of slimy crap. Here's a photo of what I pulled back on the that door:



Did the same thing with the strip on the right door — they both only pulled up closest to the car/door hinge. I pondered attempting to remove that little circular thing, but wasn't sure how to do it/how to put it back on, so I refrained.

Anyway. That drained both of the doors. Temporary fix, but I wouldn't like it to happen in the first place.

In the process I found water coming from a peg/plug that was also holding the weatherstripping to the door — I removed it but I don't think I should remove the plug since it's needed to hold that piece of strip on. Photo:

[NRecob]

+1 on the slimey crap! Didn't need to remove weatherstripping on mine though:

[adm91]

So the second from the right (assuming we're taking about the right door) and the first on the left are the holes that I should unplug? I'll remove them on both doors — we're expecting rain this weekend (and on Memorial Day, too bad), and we'll see how it goes. Thanks!

[NRecob]

yeah look for the black plastic tops to the plugs (you'll see how they look installed in my last two photos). There are 2 per door--the rest of the fasteners (?) (at least on mine) look more like rivets(?) and yes, I would remove them (provided they aren't the only thing holding up the weatherstripping!) if you know rain is coming.

In any event, glad you got your doors drained!

Best,

[NRecob]

btw, on the last photo you posted adm91 (on the extreme right/bottom) that round deal looks like the plug you want to pull....