Water Leak - Found issue - Back Window seal material

[Porpoise Hork]

Well just judging by the amount of water drips and the inverter cover, I'd be willing to bet the leak is far worse than you're suspecting. Mine was minimal but still managed to saturate the back fall fiber board and cause the truck to smell like a cat box after the smallest of rain showers.

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[Vinnrox250]

Well just judging by the amount of water drips and the inverter cover, I'd be willing to bet the leak is far worse than you're suspecting. Mine was minimal but still managed to saturate the back fall fiber board and cause the truck to smell like a cat box after the smallest of rain showers.

Yeah, it probably is worse than I expect, but we had crazy crazy rains and my carpet wasn’t wet, so hopefully it’s not the worst they’ve seen, and hopefully I don’t need new carpet or glass- cause I’ve got ceramic tint, just need a new back fiber board. I just want it fixed right and nothing damaged in the process. I’m dropping it off tomorrow and hopefully with the holiday They don’t hold it up too long. I appreciate your help! Will definitely report back and appreciate your experience input to help me have an idea as to what to expect.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Yeah, it probably is worse than I expect, but we had crazy crazy rains and my carpet wasn’t wet, so hopefully it’s not the worst they’ve seen, and hopefully I don’t need new carpet or glass- cause I’ve got ceramic tint, just need a new back fiber board. I just want it fixed right and nothing damaged in the process. I’m dropping it off tomorrow and hopefully with the holiday They don’t hold it up too long. I appreciate your help! Will definitely report back and appreciate your experience input to help me have an idea as to what to expect.

It took about a week from the drop-off day to when I got mine back but they also had to replace the cab vents and the exterior cab sound paneling which required removing the bed to get to those. If they do end up having to replace the glass let the service advisor know you had it tinted. They should offer to reimburse you for getting the rear glass re-tinted if you have the receipt from the original tint place. If you don't have that then they will likely offer to have their own tint guys handle it but jut be sure to find out what kind of tint they use. Some ceramic brands are not as good as others.

 

[Vinnrox250]

If they do end up having to replace the glass let the service advisor know you had it tinted. They should offer to reimburse you for getting the rear glass re-tinted if you have the receipt from the original tint place. If you don't have that then they will likely offer to have their own tint guys handle it but jut be sure to find out what kind of tint they use. Some ceramic brands are not as good as others.

Ya I have the receipt and for sure will get a reimbursement cause I have a tint guy and his Work is spot on - he is just as OCD as me ha. And the Tint is xpel prime xr plus if memory serves.

 

[smt232]

I know this is old, but after finding this thread today I finally found that this is the reason for the years of the terrible mold smell in my f-150 after the rain. I pulled down the back cloth/trim and saw water dripping in the cabin when the rear window was sprayed with a hose. I tried to pm the Ford rep that replied earlier in this thread but the site says the reps account is private. Anyone know how to message him/her?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

The Ford account is no longer monitored on here. You'll have to reach out to Ford customer care directly.

Depending on how old your F150 is and the type of rear window you have it may be easier to have a glass company pull the window out to reseal it if it's a solid pane of glass. Should only cost a couple hundred for the this. If it's a sliding rear glass version, check the bottom corners of the thick rubber seal in the slider window recess. Both my 2020 Ranger and 2022 F150 had an issue with this seal separating in the lower corners where it attached to the main glass. This allowed a small amount of water to leak in. If you look there and see a gap between the glass and seal you might be able to fill the gap with black RTV sealant. If you're able to fill the gaps completely it should fix the leak and help prevent it from separating further as well. Otherwise you'd need to have the window replaced since this gasket is bonded to the rear glass and not the slider.

 

[smt232]

The Ford account is no longer monitored on here. You'll have to reach out to Ford customer care directly.

Thanks, I called them today and they are going to fix it. Appreciate the help!

 

[Lead Foot PowerBoost]

I suspect I have a rear window leak causing an odor after rain. But how do I fold down the rear seat backs to check?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

@Lead Foot PowerBoost Fist if you have a rear slider, check in the bottom corners of the small slider window from outside. Make sure the thick rubber seal is no separated from the main glass, especially in the corners. If the seal is intact then there's the possibility that the lower rear cab vents are leaking. You'll need to pull the rear carpet panel out to check these. Easily done for non B&O's. Otherwise you'll need to pull out the amp and sub to remove the panel. Once you have it out have someone run water from a hose (not much pressure is needed) around the slider and check around the bottom of the glass from the inside for any leaks. Then look down to the rear vents as they are prone to leaking too. I have had to replace mine twice and the dealer did it once. The last time I replaced them I applied a super thick bead of black silicone on the vent at the rubber gasket to create a better seal once the new ones were installed. There's a trick to getting them out w/o pulling the bed off. I followed this video for that and you have to hold your mouth juuuuust right but it can be done.



The passenger side seat has a pull tab on the side of the seat back. Raise the seat bottom up and pull on the tab. Then lower the seat bottom then back. The driver's side is a pain in the ass. Easiest to show a video. Once lowered you can pull the back carpet wall away from the window and give it a sniff, or using a water hose spray water on the back window and look for leaks.

 

[antjeffries]

Same issue here on my 21 Lariat no sunroof. Musty smell in the cab after rain. At 31k miles new to me truck. Was so hyper focused on other potential causes like cab vents, cowl drains, etc just missed it the first couple times water testing. Last time water testing hit the slider with water more water and the trough would overflow and spill over along with the same as the OP with the seal at the bottom would fill up with water too and spill over. Easy to miss if “not enough” water got in and didn’t run out and you’re not looking for it. Was worse on driver side. Glass shop near me in the PNW was around $900 to replace with another slider or $400 for solid. I never use the slider so just got the solid and no more issues far in the last handful of weeks with some PNW rain.

 

[xtraman122]

Wow, how am I only finding this thread now? I also had a big water issue in my 2021 XLT this summer. Passenger side front and back.

Assumed it was moonroof or AC related, dried it all out, but seemed like it slowly started coming back again. Never got to the bottom of it and my truck just got totaled last month so not my problem anymore, but I’m willing to bet this was the issue.

I don’t know how this thread never came up in all the research I did before. Now I want to go find the truck and check out the window to know for sure, it always drove me nuts that I couldn’t track down the true source of it.

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