Hey guys, so my parents just bought a 2003 Honda Pilot EX with 85,000 miles on it. It is in excellent condition and the seller seemed very straight forward and honest with us but mentioned nothing about a water leak. After speaking with them, they had no idea of this problem.

What happened was last week we had a major storm that lasted several days here in San Jose, CA and this is where we discovered the problem.

The driver and passenger side front is SOAKED with water. The 2nd row seat carpet area is also a bit soaked but I'm thinking this may have leaked over.

I'd like to diagnose the leak by doing the water test but first I would like to dry the carpet and the area beneath it. There's this black plastic piece below that also has a blueish green foam beneath that which is still wet and has a slight odor from being wet for a few days now, does anyone know where I can find a manual that shows me how to remove all these pieces?

Alternatively, what were the steps you guys took to diagnose and fix the problem if they're different than my approach above? Any help is appreciated. This is such a PITA!

 

Check the windshield first. If it's not factory suspect that 1st.

 

x2.

Otherwise...get the interior dry, break out a 5 gal bucket or a garden hose, and have at it.

Water leak tips:

-don't use high pressure water(spray nozzle or pressure washer). Use big gushes of water, like dumping a bucket of water over the suspect area, or an open garden hose.
-start high and work low. Gravity, duh.
-clean clean clean the are and make sure it's all dry. Find where you THINK the water is coming in and spray some leak trace(fast drying white powder to trace the wetness).

Water leaks sucks.