FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Tests For Water Leaks


The investigation for water leaks should be performed with two persons in an area with access to water and good drainage.

^ One person should control the flow of water onto different areas of the vehicle that may cause leakage and try to isolate each area completely.

^ Water testing should be performed with a 3/4 inch hose with the pressure set so the water makes a 12-18 inch fountain when the hose is held vertically upright.

^ Minimum time spent on initial hose testing should be at least 15 minutes since a leak will often have to move through several seams, grommets, and panels before being seen.

^ The second person should be positioned in the vehicle to watch for the leak to start and stop.

^ The person outside the vehicle, with the water hose, should move the water very slowly from each position for isolation of areas.

NOTE: THE EXTRA TIME SPENT ON HOSE TESTING CAN SAVE A LOT OF TIME DISASSEMBLING AND REASSEMBLING A VEHICLE IN SEARCH OF A LEAK.