Water Water Everywhere!

Area for General FSJ related chat.
User avatar

wewillsurvive
Posts: 1093
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:10 pm
Location: Martinsville, IN

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by wewillsurvive »

The vent doors don't need to removed to clean them out? My hands are wayyyy too big to fit in those vents without removing the vent door and such.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1972 Dodge Demon with a 451" stroker Big Block
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer AMC 360" AKA Golddigger- SOLD
2003 Dodge Crewcab 2500 Cummins longbed 4x4
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee V-6 full time 4x4


Alternators, winches, 4x4, guns all have the same issue if you don't have any knowledge of them usually bad things will happen. Serehill

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

wewillsurvive wrote:The vent doors don't need to removed to clean them out? My hands are wayyyy too big to fit in those vents without removing the vent door and such.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Unfortunately, you need not only to remove the vent, but the flapper mechanism as well, which is a flapper inside a cone shape pipe which is stuck some some goop... then you can shove a shop vac, or ask your kid, your wife... a friend, a cousin an uncle... to dig in... I am not in your state, so I can't volunteer to give you a hand...

Otherwise get some 1/16 or 3/32 plastic sheet (ABS) and cut out a piece with tin snips for each side to cover the cowl vent during rainy days....

For me no more leaks... even those 3/4" pours that we had lately... and I am using the vent covers. I am using the center washer nozzle from the 75 or older rigs... hence the cut out in the center. For newer FSj with the metal tube... you will cover the individual jets...

Image
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

ProTouring442
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:28 am
Location: Harriman, Tennessee
Contact:

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by ProTouring442 »

Instead of silicone or strip caulk for filling cracks and small holes, use 3M Window-Weld Ribbon Sealer (3M# 051135-08612). It's butyl, and won't dry up or peel away.

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

ProTouring442 wrote:Instead of silicone or strip caulk for filling cracks and small holes, use 3M Window-Weld Ribbon Sealer (3M# 051135-08612). It's butyl, and won't dry up or peel away.
Very good point as the silicon will corrode the metal.
From the usual home improvement center, I found: Henry flashing and construction sealant between the vent cone and the body and the vent and the cone.
Another non cracking compound I use is : 3M strip caulk in black, 08578 comes in pre cut strips of 1'
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

wewillsurvive
Posts: 1093
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:10 pm
Location: Martinsville, IN

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by wewillsurvive »

So I should be able to just pry that cone and flapper out?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
1972 Dodge Demon with a 451" stroker Big Block
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer AMC 360" AKA Golddigger- SOLD
2003 Dodge Crewcab 2500 Cummins longbed 4x4
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee V-6 full time 4x4


Alternators, winches, 4x4, guns all have the same issue if you don't have any knowledge of them usually bad things will happen. Serehill

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Nikkormat »

Very good idea with the vent cover. That would be usefull for storage too and the snowy months when the cowl fill up. That with a couple holes would solve all my troubles.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
User avatar

ProTouring442
Posts: 673
Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:28 am
Location: Harriman, Tennessee
Contact:

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by ProTouring442 »

letank wrote:Another non cracking compound I use is : 3M strip caulk in black, 08578 comes in pre cut strips of 1'
My experience with 3M strip caulk is that it will dry out in time and crack and/or peel. For all my "strip caulk" needs I now use the butyl.

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

wewillsurvive wrote:So I should be able to just pry that cone and flapper out?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
yes, after you unscrew the grille the cone and flapper assembly are fitted loosely in the kick panel and held by the grille screws. You may have to remove some of the flapper cable holding bracket(s) on the firewall to ease extraction, and make sure that you keep track of the way the flapper position, open or closed in relation to the position of the control knob on the dash.
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

Nikkormat
Posts: 3623
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:45 pm
Location: Salt Lake City

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Nikkormat »

Butyl tape or Permatex ultra grey. Unlike other formulations grey is not corrosive.
Gabe, "reformed" Jeep hoarder.
User avatar

ghcoe
Posts: 1228
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:39 am
Location: SW Idaho

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by ghcoe »

SW Idaho Overlanding Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIdahoOverlan ... page_panel
SW Idaho Overlanding Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYuRx2 ... wVwZJ5oztg
1977 Jeep Cherokee WT
All-Terrain T/A® KO2
Safari Kit
Factory Brush Guard
Factory Tire Carrier
Custom Roof Rack

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

Nikkormat wrote:Very good idea with the vent cover. That would be usefull for storage too and the snowy months when the cowl fill up. That with a couple holes would solve all my troubles.
Years ago for the snow issue, I used magnetic register cover or forced air vent covers... it cuts nicely with scissors... but they do not last too long...
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

L96CHIEF
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2015 8:33 am

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by L96CHIEF »

Has anyone welded a cover (bodywork) over the fresh-air intake (grill at back of hood) and closed off the cabin fresh-air vents completely?

I'm considering this on my resto-mod and am curious if anyone can suggest a good reason not to solve the leaf *and* water problem by completely removing the intake? Fresh air can come in the windows for all I care...doesn't seem to make sense to have them.

Thoughts?
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Tatsadasayago »

I don't recall anyone welding a block off cover but one of us employed flat sheets of abs plastic and it sounds like that works good.
I used screen door screen under the cowl cover which stops the leaves and pine needles from getting in and then blocked off the foot vents with plastic covers and sealant. Had I thought about the plastic cover trick before-hand, I would have gone that route.

In my experience, those foot vents really don't help much when it's 115 degrees outside so I blocked them off to prevent water from ever getting in and thrashing my carpet. If it's too hot to drive with the windows down I park the old girl until the temps drop to something reasonable.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

Road Hammer
Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2014 10:50 am
Location: Bold Springs, GA.

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Road Hammer »

I read thru this thread with great interest, and a fair amount of concern! I'm now certain I need to see just what's lurking in the A pillar vents on my '83 Cherokee. For those who have done this I have a few questions:

1. Can the drain holes at the bottom of the A pillars be probed from the bottom?
2. Can the passenger side fresh air vent be removed with the A/C in place?
3. If the A/C must be removed, can it be moved out of the way without disconnecting the refrigerant hoses?
4. Is it possible to vacuum out the A pillar plenums from the cowl area? Like with a long hose on a shop vac?

I'm sure there are other questions I should be asking, but this is enough to get me going. Thanks in advance for your replies.
MarkB...

Bold Springs, GA.

1983 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
1988 Jeep Comanche Sport Truck

BIG JEEPS ARE KOOL!!!
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Road Hammer wrote:I read thru this thread with great interest, and a fair amount of concern! I'm now certain I need to see just what's lurking in the A pillar vents on my '83 Cherokee. For those who have done this I have a few questions:

1. Can the drain holes at the bottom of the A pillars be probed from the bottom?
2. Can the passenger side fresh air vent be removed with the A/C in place?
3. If the A/C must be removed, can it be moved out of the way without disconnecting the refrigerant hoses?
4. Is it possible to vacuum out the A pillar plenums from the cowl area? Like with a long hose on a shop vac?

I'm sure there are other questions I should be asking, but this is enough to get me going. Thanks in advance for your replies.
1) Yes, there is a 1/2" x 1" drain hole at the very bottom of the well which you can get to from under the vehicle.
2) Yes, there is enough room but it will be tight. The driver's side is fun too because the parking brake pedal is in the way.
4) If you remove the cowl cover and snake a long hose over the edge and down inside it is possible...but not very productive. I found a 5/8" rubber hose worked okay, but would plug up with debris quickly. The surest way to clean out all the muck is to pull the vents and vacuum from there.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

Report after all those big storms that we had in January CARPET is DRY, and no signs of seapage, I have new window wipes, and of course used the abs cover that snaps on the fresh air vent, the abs snaps with the help of a older (probably until 78) center washer nozzle that is in the middle of the cowl vent, yes the 85 has the same body work, so there is an opening to attach the washer nozzle.

As for the A pillar, the main issue is the lack of metal treatment, so it can rust from the inside, the 74 A pillar for the passenger is severely damaged, and the driver's side is on its way to allow me to have a convertible...

Removing the parking brake assembly is no biggie, of course the first time I went for a practice run a the local recycling yard... because I needed a spare and the first section of the emergency brake cable to the equalizer. You reach from the engine bay.

The access from the cab allows you to remove any rust (not too much in fact) and treat the metal.
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Bump
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

letank
Posts: 4010
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by letank »

Tatsadasayago wrote:Bump
Still water tight, especially after the severe storm 3 weeks ago.

The carpetting and tunnel cover are off until I drive a bit more, waiting to install the better mopar TF727 reusable pan gasket. So I can spot any water. Of course the vents are covered with hatch like devices that are secured with HD magnets, so there are no chances of the hatches flying off like it has happened before.

The epoxy on the rear quarter stationary windows seems to be holding up... no water in the rear quarter section, except the day that the tailgate gasket slipped out of its track/position at the interface tailgate/glass/ rear quarter section.
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)
User avatar

Jonnyworld
Posts: 86
Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2016 12:02 pm

Re: RE: Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Jonnyworld »

L96CHIEF wrote:Has anyone welded a cover (bodywork) over the fresh-air intake (grill at back of hood) and closed off the cabin fresh-air vents completely?

I'm considering this on my resto-mod and am curious if anyone can suggest a good reason not to solve the leaf *and* water problem by completely removing the intake? Fresh air can come in the windows for all I care...doesn't seem to make sense to have them.

Thoughts?
That is where the air for your heat and defroster comes from.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
82 wagoneer 360 4spd
with a well lubed driveway.
4 inch skyjacker lift

I can fix it or fix or I can fix it where no one else can."
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: RE: Re: Water Water Everywhere!

Post by Tatsadasayago »

Jonnyworld wrote:
L96CHIEF wrote:Has anyone welded a cover (bodywork) over the fresh-air intake (grill at back of hood) and closed off the cabin fresh-air vents completely?

I'm considering this on my resto-mod and am curious if anyone can suggest a good reason not to solve the leaf *and* water problem by completely removing the intake? Fresh air can come in the windows for all I care...doesn't seem to make sense to have them.

Thoughts?
That is where the air for your heat and defroster comes from.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Yup! There is an oval shaped opening on the passenger side upper firewall that allows fresh air to enter the heater box. Blocking off the cowl grille won't prevent fresh air flow, but it will force air to be sucked upward from the lower cowl drain holes and foot vents if they are opened.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation
Post Reply