Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004: Why is Water Leaking on the Floor?

If you're not bogging on your favorite trail, chances are you shouldn't have water in your Jeep. Time to find your leaky culprit.

By Brett Foote - August 26, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ (1999-2004).

Even though you probably never wanted a pool inside your Jeep, water leaks are a common issue, particularly on the passenger's side floorboard. Generally, these leaks occur slowly over time and accumulate on the passenger's side, soaking your carpet, rusting out the floor underneath, and creating mold. The source of the problem is a faulty A/C drain, which allows water to seep in through the firewall and down the drain housing. Some smart Jeep owners have figured out a way to use a piece of hose to reroute these water leaks and prevent them from entering the cabin. Keep reading as this article will show you how to install the repair and keep your passenger's feet nice and dry.

Materials Needed

  • Drill
  • 1/4" drill bit
  • Wire hanger
  • Plug (P/N 5255217)
  • 4-6" length of plastic hose
  • Hose clamp

Step 1 – Clean out A/C drain tube

First you will need to drill a hole in the A/C drain tube, so that you can clean any debris out that might be causing water to spill into the car. Pull the carpet down in the passenger's side foot well and locate the evaporator drain in the housing (see Figure 1). Drill a 1/4" hole in the center of the drain tube housing. Use a wire hanger, pipe cleaner or similar wire to clean out the drain tube through the hole. Once finished, insert the plug into the hole and turn on your air conditioning. Check to see if the water is draining properly. If not, move on to Step 2.

Figure 1. Drill a 1/4" hole in the A/C drain tube and clean using a wire hanger.

Step 2 – Install hose on A/C drain

If cleaning out the drain doesn't stop water from entering the cabin, you can install a length of hose to divert the drain outside your Jeep. Place the length of rubber hose around the outside of the drain tube and secure it using a hose clamp. Let the hose droop down on the outside of the firewall. The length of hose you need may vary depending on your model.

Figure 2. Length of hose installed on the A/C drain to divert the flow of water.

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