So today was the first warm beautiful day in NY in a very long time so I took advantage and went out to the driveway and tore things apart a bit in an effort to solve this problem taking into account all the advice and ideas that were given. I won’t know for sure until we have some rainy days but going by today’s findings and replacement work I’m confident it’s solved.
I pulled up the carpet, wiped and dried as suggested to me. It was a tiny bit damp but nothing major and no rust. Left over moisture it seems. I pulled the kick panel as suggested. Nice and dry! I replaced all the weather stripping both side doors and the hatch. The doors were all chewed up but now nice and fresh. I pulled the cowling and took a look inside. No rust. However, see the pictures attached. OMG! A piece of sandpaper was stuck in there as well as some hard unidentifiable object! Wtf! Left over from the paint job before I bought it. I also sanded the rust spot on the passanger side door frame and coated it with rustoleum then some color to protect in the future. The rust didnt punch through so I was happy about that. I also took a peek behind the fenders with the scope and they were clean of rust.
it was a great productive day and with all the findings and clean up today I think this problem should be solved. New weatherstrip and cleaned cowling as well as wiping the floor board down should help. If not then I will look at the windshield but fingers crossed for now.
Thanks for all the ideas and advice!!!
pic is what was in my cowling pushed all the way to the driver side underneath and halfway over the hole (or drain or whatever that is. Lol)
