This thread exists in the wayback machine, so I am copying it here. Picture links may be missing.
jamesf
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Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« on: January 20, 2008, 12:33:33 PM »
I had done this last year on the Passenger side Fresh Air duct on my 75 Formula in an attempt to solve a leak in the rain on the Passenger side Floor.
After I discovered where the water came from, this fix was to create a way for water coming from the cowl to not be able to run directly down the firewall/cowl and seep into the seam around the fresh air opening, thereby leaking all over the floorboards...
I first tried just sealing it really well with new putty , but testing showed it still leaked a bit after a few attempts on putting it back in.
The method I then devised, and which I used at that time on the Passenger side, was to cut the bottom seam out of a a plastic milk jug and then putty it to the cowl in the top inside. That gives the water a shield that it hits. The water then runs down around the opening rather then right into it.
That worked really well on my car. Testing with a water hose into the cowl still shows no leaking a year later. And in the rain, that side is always dry.
But about 6 months back I posted my project of putting in new electric window mechanisms. During that project I foolishly disturbed the Drivers Side kick panel so I could run new wires to the new power window motors. and of course during the recent winter rains, I realized I had a HUGE leak now...on the Drivers Side.
Here I have the New Improved fix..
I started by performing the same things I did before with the Milk Jug. My memory was a bit fuzzy. But I got the piece that I wanted from the jug, I went to throw the rest of the plastic in the recycling, I immediately saw an even better suited plastic shield!
One of the covers from the roasted chickens they sell at Costco. I see them at Safeways, And other stores too. My wife makes killer Tortilla Soup with the chicken... but..
I took it and cut it in half:
then after test fitting saw it couldn't fit better!
I then applied my putty to it:
and reached up and stuck it on. I realized it was pretty difficult to press it on as it was so "long" SO I cut a piece out of the middle.
That gave me room to get my wrist in there and reach the seam above. Admittedly with some difficulty, I was able to press that seam on really well. I also got more strips of sealer and put it up there on the seam smoothing it on .
Also did the same from the bottom inside sticking some putty up into the seam..
I was able to access it easiest by laying across the floor on my back..
Yes, I left the Label on the plastic.
Testing with a hose proved an excellent solution with water running down around the duct, not into it.
Take this opportunity to reach down and get all the crap and leaves that will be in the fender! I used a Vacuum cleaner to get in there good.
« Last Edit: June 16, 2020, 10:22:19 AM by jamesf »
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James
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fbodyfan
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`75 Formula 400
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2008, 03:19:23 PM »
is there any way you can get a few measurments of the plastic cover you used ? i have the same problem with my `75 ,, thanks !
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1975 Formula 400 , gone but in good hands ,
jamesf
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2008, 11:18:59 AM »
Heck I still have the other half. I'll send it to you if you really cant find one at a supermarket. The chickens are usually about 5-6 dollars
And We buy one of these every week so I'll have a good supply of them!
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jamesf
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Update!
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2008, 09:28:08 AM »
It rained heavily here all day yesterday and last night... Where last week I went out after the same rains and found a puddle on the drivers side of the tranny hump, the carpet is now Dry, I have left the sill plates out for now so iI could monitor this, and pulling the carpet back from the kick panel, I can see NO water there at all!!
I really want this to be a permanent fix and it looks like it worked great... I'll continue to monitor this..
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James
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screamingbuick
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81 Trans Am Pics
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2011, 08:40:56 PM »
Awesome idea, I think i have the same issue, found about 3 inches of water on my passenger side floor today after a really heavy rain storm. You can reach in there from inside with just pulling off the kick panels? Thanks
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1981 Trans Am - 350 ZZ4 Engine, 1987 Buick GN, 2009 Yamaha FZ1
Grand73Am
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2011, 08:19:01 AM »
Making a shield looks like a great idea. I would just make it with something else that would be more heavy duty, since I'd only want to do it once. Maybe some sheet aluminum.
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Steve F.
screamingbuick
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2011, 01:14:46 PM »
Actually I think the plastic is a great idea, it'll still be there when the rest of the car is rusty scrap 100 years from now, and its not like anyone will ever see it.
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1981 Trans Am - 350 ZZ4 Engine, 1987 Buick GN, 2009 Yamaha FZ1
Grand73Am
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2011, 01:53:19 PM »
A heavier plastic perhaps, like tupperware, but a thin disposable plastic container like that, I would be afraid wouldn't be a permanent repair. It could warp and crack eventually in heat and cold extremes, since it's not meant to last that long to begin with. I mean if you're going to go to the trouble of doing it, might as well use some durable materials
.
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Steve F.
screamingbuick
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2011, 01:54:41 PM »
Yep I agree
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1981 Trans Am - 350 ZZ4 Engine, 1987 Buick GN, 2009 Yamaha FZ1
jamesf
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2011, 01:03:08 AM »
You guys are not giving plastic its due.. I still have that fix in my car. It is my daily driver. I drive it in rain and sun, start it at 6:00am every morning. We just had some serious rain here and the only thing leaking is my crappy repro roof rail weatherstriping.
I'm no scientist but, that plastic is not getting any direct sun nor any heat where its at. I bet it's in great shape..
I bet that plastic will be there when the car is finally gone..
It's not all that flimsy.
And this shape was perfect...
Find tupperwear that will fit like that.
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Aldo
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2011, 05:59:59 AM »
Great idea , very original,i know you helped alot of people,thanks for the tip.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 03:24:39 AM by ALDO »
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77birdfarm
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2011, 02:11:57 AM »
great info here my 78 bird is in outside storage and every rain fall left a small lake of water on the passager side i used a boston pitza take out container cut as showen in this post fist bad rain storm today and its now dry .
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jamesf
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #12 on: May 15, 2011, 02:26:35 PM »
Awesome. Glad it worked for ya!
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James
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skywalker
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TA 400 4Speed
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2012, 11:36:52 PM »
Wow, have noticed a small pool of water on the pass side floor mats after i wash the car, this is a must fix,
thanks, thumbs up
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Luke
Melbourne Australia
jamesf
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2012, 12:03:18 PM »
You Bet. Still working, still driving it daily, floors are dry..
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James
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2012, 12:03:18 PM »
2020-B1-8
gold79ta
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #15 on: April 15, 2013, 03:06:50 PM »
can you get that 3m strip caulk at your local parts store?
Or order it from a place like NPD or yearone?
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Grand73Am
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #16 on: April 15, 2013, 04:05:26 PM »
You can buy it locally. Some auto parts have it, but an auto paint and body shop supply store would definitely have some on the shelves.
But....a better alternative was suggested by a couple guys in another thread about sealing the kick panels. This sealing caulk is sold at Lowes and Home Depot in the electrical department. You get more of it for less money, so I think it's a better choice, since sealing the kick panels takes a lot of caulk. Here's a link to the product at Home Depot:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100212441?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=Electrical+Duct+Sealant&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100212441#.USqHuTD_mSo Logged
Steve F.
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Nathan- Cape Girardeau, MO
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #17 on: April 13, 2015, 07:40:56 PM »
I just pulled my kick panels to paint them and I re-installed them without any caulk because I thought they were just to seal air out. Glad I read this so I don't ruin my brand new carpet next time I wash the car!
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Aus78Formula
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #18 on: December 16, 2016, 02:30:52 AM »
Old post, was looking at this a few days ago while basically redesigning my kickpanel and park brake assemblies.
I have a few panels of the bitumen-backed flat moldable foil insulation similar to Dynamat still left. I think the same result could be achieved by adding a small patch to the top half of the opening but forming a small curved awning towards the outside of the car, similar to the container but not as drastic. It would redirect any water runs and drips away from the opening and around the nearest edges to straight down and be very simple to achieve. It's basically the trickles that run down directly over the opening in the kick panel that end up leaking around the edges and into the cabin. Possibly also the front edge if you drive in torrential rain so it runs back at an angle along the cowl sides and past the canopy added above it.
« Last Edit: December 16, 2016, 02:35:14 AM by Aus78Formula »
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Cape T/A
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Nathan- Cape Girardeau, MO
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #19 on: December 18, 2016, 06:13:50 PM »
I like that idea, I did a fix like the original post and mine is still leaking, it was a real pain to get my hands in there to do so it may have not stuck good. Doing something like that dynamat stuff may work best for me next time.
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1971 lucerne blue Esprit
Aus78Formula
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #20 on: December 18, 2016, 06:27:42 PM »
So you added a container shroud of sorts and still leaks? Do you know when or how, heavy rain, washing car? Does it just appear damp at the KP base or on the floor? Still have to make sure the KP is well sealed to stop weeping that does get passed but a heavy hose blast from the top may still be enough to get spray through the panel centre.
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Cape T/A
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Nathan- Cape Girardeau, MO
Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #21 on: December 20, 2016, 10:03:36 AM »
I was just washing the car, I didn't seal the kick panel, I just put the container over the top. I just assumed the container came loose and fell off. I noticed the carpet was wet after the wash.
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1971 lucerne blue Esprit
Aus78Formula
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #22 on: December 20, 2016, 11:09:24 AM »
Oh righto. The kick panel should still be sealed as well. The tub redirects water from the opening but doesnt stop it all.
« Last Edit: December 20, 2016, 11:11:14 AM by Aus78Formula »
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Aus78Formula
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #23 on: December 30, 2016, 10:07:43 PM »
This is pretty much what I had in mind, Angelo already typed it up, he was on here some time ago.
http://www.modsandrods.tv/2013/03/24/passenger-side-kick-panel-installation-for-ac-70-81-firebird-camaro/ Logged
BlackRims
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #24 on: January 09, 2017, 08:24:02 PM »
Seems like it is a pretty good idea
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jamesf
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #25 on: October 31, 2017, 08:58:20 PM »
Just checking in on this after a long time.. Yes you do still need to seal the kick panel with the same goop... I still have those things in my kick panels and they still work as well now as they did then..
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Maxthe222
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #26 on: November 12, 2019, 09:37:58 PM »
I'd like to dig this topic back up instead of creating a new thread, y'know that fix with making the arch over the hole with the dynamat stuff? I looked at angelo's write up, I'm looking to do something very similar, but I don't get exactly what he's done or what others have done either. I'm definetly not putting a chicken container in mine lol. Can someone explain in greater detail how to make a lip out of the sound insulation stuff? If not the sound insulation, what else can you use? Ontop of that, I do not think they sell that 3M Chaulk rope seal stuff down here, doesn't look like they have them at local hardware stores or anything. I have a contact in 3M i'll ask but I don't know if that stuff is still around, can I subsititue something else of very similar quailty?
« Last Edit: November 12, 2019, 09:39:31 PM by Maxthe222 »
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Wallington
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #27 on: November 12, 2019, 09:41:58 PM »
Did you look at the link Aus78 posted? He simply added the bitumen insulation patch over the kick panel hole and instead of cutting around the edge cleanly, cut it oversize so that the overlap pushed inside the hole to form a gutter lip to limit water running straight down and into the kick panel seem. Of course, there still needs to be clearance for the kickpanel to mount into the hole and have its own sealant added so the insulation needs to be super thin.
http://www.modsandrods.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_20130323_170728.jpghttp://www.modsandrods.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/IMG_20130323_170712.jpg Logged
Maxthe222
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #28 on: November 12, 2019, 10:43:21 PM »
I did indeed, but what is holding that "lip" or "roof" around the hole opening up? Won't water pushing down as well as gravity cause that lip to droop? So it's basically just like a rain gutter right?
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1979 F/A W72 WS6
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Wallington
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Re: Kick Panel Leak Fix - Version 2.0
« Reply #29 on: November 12, 2019, 11:52:48 PM »
It's adhesive-backed and sticking around the inside of the opening, and the shape of the foil.
