It is super easy to add a cabin air filter on the '98 to '11 Town Car. Just get a cabin air filter for a '99 to '10 Jeep Grand Cherokee - then with just a single cut trim off the excess end. Viola! - you now have a cabin air filter that fits just like it was made for the Lincoln. Easy peasy.
@@vickygillian1345 It fits in the cabin fresh air intake. Open the hood. Look for the plastic cover under the passenger side windshield wiper arm. Pull back the sealing strip, then there are two long phillips head plastic screws. There are some videos showing people adding a cabin filter. The only thing I'm adding is that the Jeep filter fits perfect with only a single end trimmed off.
Panther platform is still a bulletproof car despite this minor inconvenience. My wife has a 2016 Honda HR-V and already last year had a recall on the CVT and got it replaced. A HR-V and a TownCar are about the same weight except the TownCar has a V8 and does 239 hp which is a 100 more than a HR-V.
@@Logan24855 I only wish it was FWD though. I'm already looking for a cheap winter drive car because RWD in the snow is like a pregnant cow trying to walk across a frozen pond.
@@billbraun2223 Eh, even with snow tires, RWD is still terrible. I already had a FWD car (a 2010 Impala) that had some minor front-end damage sitting around, and I got that repaired. I know for a fact this car takes snow like a champ, so I'm good to go.
I have a 2004 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate with a mere 22,800+ miles. It is gorgeous! I had the same issue. Shame on Ford for placing that drain in such an odd area. You have to keep that area around the cowl clean. Leaves, and other road debris gets in there. I pulled off the cover, cleaned it out and used a super-duty epoxy to seal it. No more leaking! These Lincolns featuring Ford's modular 4.6 litre V8 engine are dynamos that run forever with the proper maintenance. They are the last of the BIG luxury saloons so I am keeping mine as long as there's breath in my body! I also have a 1979 Lincoln Continental with the Town Car option. Mine has the 'opera window delete' option which make it more stately looking affording more privacy to rear seat passengers. The Coach Roof looks like new with the French seams immaculate. The car is triple non-metallic dove grey. The interior has a cushy-velour with no rips, tears, nor dry rot. I've owned it since 1980. It has been Ziebarted 'properly' showing no signs of corrosion. This is another car I will own forever. I also have a 1993 Lincoln MARK VIII which was purchased in Portland, Oregon showing absolutely no corrosion. It was owned by one extremely careful lady for 27-years. I purchased it during the Covid-19 lockdown when the entire world closed. I bought it in May 2020 and had to wait until the end of June 2020 to have it shipped to me when the auto transport companies opened back up for business. The original lacy-spoke aluminum wheels have no curb rash nor corrosion and still looks great. The underside amazes anyone who looks under there! There's no corrosion nor fluid leaks. It's black with an immaculate black leather interior (no sunroof!). The carpet and leather have been maintained excellently. Nobody has ever been in the back seat! I have polished the paint to the point where it resembles a black-chrome mirror. This is one of my cars I keep strictly as a show car so I am taking the time to make everything on it brand-new again. I've even detailed the tire-tread! Everything on the car works - including the A/C! This is another car in my collection I am keeping forever. I LOVE the revered MARK Series. I have a Continental MK III, MK IV, and MK V - none of which has any corrosion. The MK III and MK IV came from Florida. The MK V came from California. The star of my Lincoln collection is a 1969 Lincoln Continental 4-door sedan which is all-black without a vinyl roof. The car is 'new' and treated as such. It has never been in rain. I bought it 10 years ago from the widow of the gentleman who purchased it new. The car now has 300 (yes, three-hundred) miles on it. I put 100 miles on the car just to see if it was as great as it appeared...IT IS! It stays in the garage with the other 'garage-queens'! If I told you how many cars are in my collection...you'd have me placed into a sanitarium! I only collect the REAL luxury land yachts. When everyone will be cramped & stuffed into these dinky electric SUVs...I am going to slowly cruise by them in a real, gas-powered, road-hog! "Passionate-Poncho" is another of my favorites. I have Pontiacs to die for! But it's the Rolls-Royce motorcars in my collection that command complete-and-total respect when I drive them to any gathering where fine cars prevail -
Alternate solution. I found RTV, at about 12 bucks a tube, messy on so many levels, but agree the foam "drys out". I used a product called "M-D Building Products" (Oklahoma City, OK) Platinum Expandable Foam Weatherseal. Claims to be WATERPROOF when compressed. 1/2" wide, 1/8 to 1/2" high when it expands. It is malleable and bendable which creates a perfect seal when it turns a corner. I'd cut the seal not on a 90° butt type joint, but use a carpenters 45° cut (like when a guy joins 2-8 foot section of wood molding) giving you a cleaner joint. A little dab of sealant can't hurt. Product #03120. Tip: After installed on the plastic, gently warm the gasket with a heat gun or hair dryer set on low to expand the gasket. Or leave it out in strong sunlight to get the same effect-expanding the foam strip fully...just takes longer. I just bought the car (03/2023) and only by resealing do you have likely an 80% or better of getting rid of this common leak. Another thing. On a 2007 Lincoln Town Car (Designer), there are FIVE bolts holding the plastic piece in. "Professional" installation (what an overused misnomer) held it in with only FOUR bolts. D'oh. Make sure you use ALL fasteners...check and double check but your bolt # may vary model to model, year to year. One nice feature of the foam is you can "feel" the gasket being compressed when screwed into position. Appears to have solved the problem on my car, with only 38K on the odometer. I purchased the product at either Home Depot or Lowes...I just can't remember where. One last thing I'd also do is peel back the carpeting from the passenger front and back footwell only. It's an easy job, surprisingly. Back seat's a snap to remove-push lower cushion BACK, then it'll lift up (then out). Front seat as well...4 bolts (1 is a different size and you may need a deep socket.). I removed the seat thru the rear door, and re-installed it thru the front. Two wire harnesses under the seat. Standard 3/8 socket set and a #50 Torx on a 3/8 ratchet driver for the seat belt is all you need. Once the carpet is freed from the side molding (they simply lift up and out-3 pieces, IIRC) removed, carpeting simply peels back and you can prop it up with scrap wood. I used a GOOD cleaned out ShopVac to suck out as much water from my wading pool in the back seat and the cushioning/sound deadening foam, then put a heater in the closed rig (two windows open about 1 1/2 to 2") and let it run on moderate temp sporadically over 3 days and it's dry. Hit the floor where it was rusted with a wire brush, then Rust-Oleum automotive primer (2081830) and buttoned it all back up. Once the carpet it pulled up, you can easily see WHY water flows to the back footwell. Simply the lowest point on the car, AND there's a channel between the front and the back ribbing with a cut out and water simply flows downhill. Look for rust here as well. Surprisingly easy job...and yes, you can do it.
Pray that you never have to take that apart again. RTV is a MISTAKE!! I used a rubber weatherstrip from the hardware store. It's not messy, it's only stuck to one side so if I need to remove it it's easy. My blower motor is failed and I need to replace it now so I am in that situation now.
How did I never watch this? My town car has had a leak for YEARS and every shop I took it to NEVER even mentioned this. This video just made my day, this has been a headache for awhile.
Great tutorial, Anthony! I did this on my white ‘03, four years ago. Glad to have the tip on putting a bit of RTV on those 11mm nuts. About to undertake this on my new Silver Birch ‘03 Signature as preventative maintenance. It’s such an easy task, that prevents getting your carpet ruined. Wish everybody knew about this when buying a TC!
How incredible is that! I found that pool of rain water in front of the rear seat in my 2000 Town Car yesterday, and then today I find this video from you on how to fix it! I didn't even have to google anything. Thank you so much!
I learned how to evaluate and buy a Town Car from you and found a real beauty, a 24,000 mile, always garaged 2009. The existing foam weather strip was in perfect condition. I tore it off, scraped it smooth and gave it the "Anthony Treatment"! Many thanks- for everything!
Just did mine today (2010 town car) and it was also in really good shape but its regular cheap foam, tore it off, resealed it both parts with permatex rtv and gonna check on it tomorrow after it cures.
Thank you so much for this video. I just finished working on my car while following this video. If I could do it all over again, I would've bought two tubes of Permatex. I managed to do two beads with one tube, but just barely.
Thank you so very much for sharing this information. I have a 98 Towncar Signature that I inherited from my brother 2 years ago. I was in tears everytime it rained and his baby was taking on water like that. I followed your instructions and did this to her on Saturday. It's definitely going to prevent a lot of damage to this beautiful car.
Watched this video 4 weeks ago👍Went to Lowe's and bought $3 10ft roll of Frost King ½"×½" vinyl/foam weatherstrip. No more leak. Used same roll on trunk lid plate cover. No more water in trunk lid.🙂 Thanks for posting.
I just purchased a 2005 Lincoln TC 60k miles and was bummed when I saw water getting in back. Thanks for this video and helping me not to have taken it to a mechanic who woulda upsold me on bs
We have had that problem with every 98 plus Towncar we had and I had no idea how to fix it including our 2010. I had a feeling it was something pretty straightforward but never figured it was from the front of the car. I will get the RTV and fix it in the next few days. YOU ARE THE MAN! All the best to you and the poppa bear!
Wow Anthony this is great I’ve seen a lot of videos and I’ve stayed aware of this problem but yours here is the clearest, and best produced, most comprehensive and detailed; thanks very much, I’m so impressed, & good camera work Papa Bear!
I own a 08 Lincoln Town Car Executive L Series and noticed this problem. Love watching your videos. Always learning something new. Thanks for making a video on this issue. Peace be with you and God bless.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My 2006 Town Car (60,000 miles) has been afflicted with this problem and I couldn't find anybody who knew what was going on. I am SO grateful for this video.
So I bought an 03 Towncar and I didn't notice it when the guy I was buying it off of showed me around it but I sure noticed it when I got home, that floor was *soaked* and I've been keeping an eye on it and I noticed that after I dried it, the back floor doesn't get wet, but occasionally after long rains, I do notice a little wetness on the front passenger footwell, so I figured the leak was somewhere up behind the dash out in the engine compartment. Turns out I was right! This just appeared on my front page, and I'm glad to have noticed it. EDIT: This'll probably be the next thing to tackle after I got the air suspension replaced with shocks&coils ($800 vs. $3500+, no contest).
The first time I noticed passenger floor wet I thought I had a heater coil leak. Glad that didn’t happen. I’m thankful for TH-cam, you can learn all kinds of stuff and how to fix. I had a similar problem with my air suspension also, squirrel chewed up the wiring. Replaced with coil suspension, $600 compared to $2500, and honestly I can’t tell any difference!
What it does not cost that much for air suspension anymore I just did my 07 the air springs were only 150 for 2 and that's all I needed but if you did have to replace the pump that's only 150 to 200 as well ! In all honesty it's worth it but if you have to pay someone or a shop then I understand not wanting to pay a lot !! But do it yourself and it won't be much more than the springs and you'll be happy you did !
This was such a great help I literally just got done fixing it for my younger sisters who were having this problem. And my car mechanic abilities have only extended to replacing my lights.
I've had two 2010s, one Signature the other a Signature L. The L had this issue and found several videos on TH-cam about the clogged up drain and disintegrating gasket. I fixed it myself.
Man thank you so much! You have know idea how much you've helped me. I'm no dummy...working union construction (industrial, commercial, and residential) for the last ten years, I love puzzles (how to coordinate jobs to flow start to finish) and problem solving. With that being said I'm car retarded. But again, love to do things myself. You have made this possible my friend and I thank you. Own an 06 town car and was about to replace my windshield thinking that's where it was leaking from but thank God I found you. Saved me a lot of money my friend thanks a million. Will subscribe to gain more knowledge. Your a Saint!
A retired Lincoln/Mercury mechanic told me about this many moons ago. Whenever replacing a wiper motor, I always clean out and reseal or replace foam gasket. Been pretty lucky and never had a problem. "Knock on wood".
Wow, I have had this problem a few times with my TownCars over the years & never knew "what" was causing this water on my rear passenger floor. I knew it had something to do with the rain, or carwashes, but I couldn't figure it out for the life of me !! I have the last produced 2011 Executive L now & have not seen this problem in a long while now ..... probably because I am here in usually "sunny" Los Angeles 🫠!! But after coming across your video here, I will do this "preventive maintenance" ASAP, thanks to your so very easily fix here, Aaron AAnthony
Thanks Anthony. Mine started about a year and a half ago and I fixed it myself. I used a wet vacc and towels to dry. I also got humidity/moisture collectors from Dollar Tree and placed them in the magazine holders in the backs of the seats to wick the residual moisture from the air inside the car.
What I did with mine, after I bought it (an 03), the rear passenger footwell was _flooded_ with about an inch or so of standing water so what I did was I would always roll the windows down and park the car in the garage and on hot sunny days, I'd have the windows cracked open and park the car outside. Dried all that water up in about 3 days. And I usually keep it in the garage with the windows down, which guarantees that any future water coming in will dry up before it becomes a problem and the moisture won't stay in the car.
Great video. This needs done on all 1998-2011 Town Cars immediately upon purchase or at age 10, which is all of them now. Yes, the water can run to the rear with the front being dry depending on how the car is parked with rear rear of the car lower than the front.
How does it get on the drivers side? It was always the front and back passenger side before but now its the drivers side. The car is parked in an uphill position but its level left to right. How would it get to the drivers side?
Thank you for this video! Had a water leak in the pass floor of an 07 Town Car. My cowl drain was fully clogged with leaves and the foam seal was missing. A++++++
My ‘07 had same problem. I took the whole cowling off, took off wiper arms and I coulda used a shovel to take out the leaves and debris!! I removed most by hand then vacuumed some then blew the rest out with air blower. I broke off an elbow for the washer and could not find any anywhere so to the junk yard I went and got a whole cowlingI ($100)! I did every step he just went thru and, voila, problem solved👏👏👏👏
Great video! I was smart and bought a bunch of the original foam gaskets from Ford years ago as replacements for future issues. I've know about this issue with these cars for a long time as well. I've cleaned and reconditioned a lot of sunroofs for customers too with these cars . Preventative maintenance! 👍
Way to plan ahead. The rtv is probably better and will never be needed to be done again. If you have a decent amount of them you could just replace it every few years. You would be watching it and cleaning out the leaves maybe a couple times a year anyways. It would be nice knowing you had OEM NOS gasket too.
really appreciate your help on this issue. Glad i found your site. So good instructions and camera work, lighting, everything. My opinion , if well maintained and garaged, one of the best driving cars on the road, especially on a lengthy road trip. Nice and smooth and quiet. I remember driving my parents newer LT on a 4 hour trip one time and it drove so smooth and quiet, i almost fell asleep on the interstate highway.Thanks again for your excellent instructions.
I have done this repair on two of my Town Cars but your explanation video is by far the clearest and most splendid one I have watched. Well done my man! Thank you! Thank you! (Because I've got to do another on a car I've just acquired and it's been several years since I did the last two cars.)
I've got a 1993 Ford Crown Vic (panther platform like the Lincoln) and it has that exact leak when it rains. If I was a betting man I'd wager your solution will fix my problem! Thanks for posting this tutorial!! LOVE your channel and all the gorgeous Caddies you feature!! Keep it up!!
FINALLY got around to addressing this! SO THANKFUL you posted this! It was actually much easier on my '93 Vic than on the Town Car in the video. The gasket is right under the initial cowl piece. As far as I can tell, no more leaking!! Just letting the carpet and pad dry out and then will address some of the surface rust from the sitting moisture.
This is exactly what was going on with our 2004 car.. it was going on for so long and not noticed because of all the "protective" extras and no one really was in the back seat.. that it had a lovely smell. We got it all cleaned out today and now I am ordering this sealant to get it repaired. :)
I followed your advice on this fix and thought it worked until recently when I found water in the footwell of the passenger side. I removed the rubber flapper on the drain at the base of the assembly under the hood. It has eliminated the water problem. I found that the flapper can restrict the exit of water.
really appreciate your help and taking care of your customer car i just bought 2005 lincoln town car same as the one you have and i see the water behind front passenger seat thanks again will be working on it tomorrow ASAP
This is a problem I wasn’t aware of but will 100% reference back to this video if the problem comes up. Will check this today or so. I have a ‘07 TownCar but has been babied and only been parked outside for 1 winter 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Hey Anthony & Papa Bear, great how to video!!! Years ago I worked with a mechanic who had a sticker on his tool box that said " if it leaks, 3M it" anyways, thanks guys for sharing another interesting video!! 👍👍🙂
@@paulgozzo9178 Hey Papa Bear, I'm doing very well, thanks for asking!! How are you doing?? I enjoy all of the videos you guys make, they're fun. Keep up the great work my friend!! 👍👍😊
Awesome vid and very thorough with the info. I had an '09 Grand Marquis, but didn't have it long enough for that issue to have happened, but still great to know💪🙂
Thank you for this video. Although I have never experienced any water infiltration leaks on my Panthers, I was aware of this issue with the vent intake. Now I have detailed step by step instructions on how to fix it thanks to you!
Yes you are correct every single town car has this problem. Been there done that to my town car. It works well everything you said is true when applying it. Love your channel big thumbs up....
Thanks for a great Video! My Daughter set her purse in the rear floor on mine and said Dad it is wet back here , So Looks like time to check out the Seal on this! Love my Lincoln and definitely want to keep it pristine as possible!
I was planning to buy my dream car when I came to the U.S. I think you made this video to share with us a chronic problem with this vehicle so that we can fix it. Thank you very much, it's very thoughtful. Are there any other precautions we should take with this vehicle that we can do ourselves?
Thank you Anthony I could not understand why i was getting water in my rear floor board I did this and found that seal was shot and the tray was plugged up with junk thank you so much for this video.
anthony and papa bear Thank you for this video mine leaked too i did clean out leaves out see if it leaks again if not i will do wthat you said also that 78 caddy in the back there that looks nice
Hi Phillip thank you yes that 78 Cadillac is nice we should get that out and complete it. There is always nice cars coming in that we keep trying to move. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
Thank You For This Video - I only wish I knew this before I just went and bought a musty smelling town car and woke up to 2" of water on the floor in back seat foot well.
Love the channel and all the cars you have. I am literally 5 minutes away from you and a certified mechanic with a mobile side business . If you ever need help with anything please message me!!
This is a common leak location on the panther cars but not the only one. I had two locations on my 99 Vic, with water entering at the junctions of the A pillers and cowl.
Thank you so much! I just picked up a 2011 Town Car with 80k miles and the previous owner had stuffed a bunch of what looks like cotton stuffing from a pillow over the grate. The foam on mine looked like it was still in good shape, but I scraped it off and sealed it up with RTV anyway. Great tip on putting RTV on the underside of the nut, my rubber seal was awfully dry. Just washed the hell out of it today and had no passenger rear floorboard water. Thanks again.
I didn’t want to seal it with silicone because then if I had to take it off for some reason it would be a pain to clean and reseal so I used self stick rubber weatherstripping I bought at Home Depot for boat and auto use. Just made sure it was compressed when I bolted down the piece. So far no leaks.
My buddy had the same problem with a 92 Cadillac Brougham. Passenger side floor kept getting wet. He had it at a few shops, they couldn't find where it was coming from.
*IMPORTANT TIP - when applying the RTV, don't use the little stupid nozzle they give you! It creates too much back pressure and will literally burst through the side of the tube and you will get it all over your hands. Just apply it with no cap or nozzle like he does in the video*
It is super easy to add a cabin air filter on the '98 to '11 Town Car. Just get a cabin air filter for a '99 to '10 Jeep Grand Cherokee - then with just a single cut trim off the excess end. Viola! - you now have a cabin air filter that fits just like it was made for the Lincoln. Easy peasy.
Where do you put this filter
@@vickygillian1345 It fits in the cabin fresh air intake. Open the hood. Look for the plastic cover under the passenger side windshield wiper arm. Pull back the sealing strip, then there are two long phillips head plastic screws. There are some videos showing people adding a cabin filter. The only thing I'm adding is that the Jeep filter fits perfect with only a single end trimmed off.
Really??? I’ll have to checkout, thanks brother 👍👍
Can you do a video?@@Thomas63r2
What is a cabin air filter😊
Funny how they never changed the gasket to something that would last…still a great car and a great platform. 👌
Panther platform is still a bulletproof car despite this minor inconvenience. My wife has a 2016 Honda HR-V and already last year had a recall on the CVT and got it replaced. A HR-V and a TownCar are about the same weight except the TownCar has a V8 and does 239 hp which is a 100 more than a HR-V.
@@Logan24855 I only wish it was FWD though. I'm already looking for a cheap winter drive car because RWD in the snow is like a pregnant cow trying to walk across a frozen pond.
@@DhalinSnow tires
@@billbraun2223 Eh, even with snow tires, RWD is still terrible. I already had a FWD car (a 2010 Impala) that had some minor front-end damage sitting around, and I got that repaired. I know for a fact this car takes snow like a champ, so I'm good to go.
No wonders huh. I bought mine must of been sittin the drain was clogged asf and that gasket was falling apart as i got into it.
That happened to me about 7 yrs ago. I figured it out on my own. I can't believe Lincoln didn't correct this issue.
I did both, used weather strip and rtv
I’m having this happen to me right now, figured it out myself but could not for the life of me get the piece of to fix the issue
That is so nice of you, taking care of your buyer and helping all TC owners.
So this is supposed to be such a great car and Ford let this issue go on for 13 yrs! It’s great you are showing how to repair this,Thanks
Yep! That is a Ford for ya!
Even the greatest of cars have issues that go unaddressed
I mean, they are great cars, they just have a minor issue.
I have a 2004 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate with a mere 22,800+ miles. It is gorgeous! I had the same issue. Shame on Ford for placing that drain in such an odd area. You have to keep that area around the cowl clean. Leaves, and other road debris gets in there. I pulled off the cover, cleaned it out and used a super-duty epoxy to seal it. No more leaking!
These Lincolns featuring Ford's modular 4.6 litre V8 engine are dynamos that run forever with the proper maintenance. They are the last of the BIG luxury saloons so I am keeping mine as long as there's breath in my body!
I also have a 1979 Lincoln Continental with the Town Car option. Mine has the 'opera window delete' option which make it more stately looking affording more privacy to rear seat passengers. The Coach Roof looks like new with the French seams immaculate. The car is triple non-metallic dove grey. The interior has a cushy-velour with no rips, tears, nor dry rot. I've owned it since 1980. It has been Ziebarted 'properly' showing no signs of corrosion. This is another car I will own forever.
I also have a 1993 Lincoln MARK VIII which was purchased in Portland, Oregon showing absolutely no corrosion. It was owned by one extremely careful lady for 27-years. I purchased it during the Covid-19 lockdown when the entire world closed. I bought it in May 2020 and had to wait until the end of June 2020 to have it shipped to me when the auto transport companies opened back up for business.
The original lacy-spoke aluminum wheels have no curb rash nor corrosion and still looks great. The underside amazes anyone who looks under there! There's no corrosion nor fluid leaks. It's black with an immaculate black leather interior (no sunroof!). The carpet and leather have been maintained excellently. Nobody has ever been in the back seat!
I have polished the paint to the point where it resembles a black-chrome mirror. This is one of my cars I keep strictly as a show car so I am taking the time to make everything on it brand-new again. I've even detailed the tire-tread! Everything on the car works - including the A/C! This is another car in my collection I am keeping forever.
I LOVE the revered MARK Series. I have a Continental MK III, MK IV, and MK V - none of which has any corrosion. The MK III and MK IV came from Florida. The MK V came from California.
The star of my Lincoln collection is a 1969 Lincoln Continental 4-door sedan which is all-black without a vinyl roof. The car is 'new' and treated as such. It has never been in rain. I bought it 10 years ago from the widow of the gentleman who purchased it new. The car now has 300 (yes, three-hundred) miles on it. I put 100 miles on the car just to see if it was as great as it appeared...IT IS! It stays in the garage with the other 'garage-queens'!
If I told you how many cars are in my collection...you'd have me placed into a sanitarium! I only collect the REAL luxury land yachts. When everyone will be cramped & stuffed into these dinky electric SUVs...I am going to slowly cruise by them in a real, gas-powered, road-hog! "Passionate-Poncho" is another of my favorites. I have Pontiacs to die for! But it's the Rolls-Royce motorcars in my collection that command complete-and-total respect when I drive them to any gathering where fine cars prevail -
Alternate solution. I found RTV, at about 12 bucks a tube, messy on so many levels, but agree the foam "drys out". I used a product called "M-D Building Products" (Oklahoma City, OK) Platinum Expandable Foam Weatherseal. Claims to be WATERPROOF when compressed. 1/2" wide, 1/8 to 1/2" high when it expands. It is malleable and bendable which creates a perfect seal when it turns a corner. I'd cut the seal not on a 90° butt type joint, but use a carpenters 45° cut (like when a guy joins 2-8 foot section of wood molding) giving you a cleaner joint. A little dab of sealant can't hurt. Product #03120. Tip: After installed on the plastic, gently warm the gasket with a heat gun or hair dryer set on low to expand the gasket. Or leave it out in strong sunlight to get the same effect-expanding the foam strip fully...just takes longer. I just bought the car (03/2023) and only by resealing do you have likely an 80% or better of getting rid of this common leak. Another thing. On a 2007 Lincoln Town Car (Designer), there are FIVE bolts holding the plastic piece in. "Professional" installation (what an overused misnomer) held it in with only FOUR bolts. D'oh. Make sure you use ALL fasteners...check and double check but your bolt # may vary model to model, year to year. One nice feature of the foam is you can "feel" the gasket being compressed when screwed into position. Appears to have solved the problem on my car, with only 38K on the odometer. I purchased the product at either Home Depot or Lowes...I just can't remember where. One last thing I'd also do is peel back the carpeting from the passenger front and back footwell only. It's an easy job, surprisingly. Back seat's a snap to remove-push lower cushion BACK, then it'll lift up (then out). Front seat as well...4 bolts (1 is a different size and you may need a deep socket.). I removed the seat thru the rear door, and re-installed it thru the front. Two wire harnesses under the seat. Standard 3/8 socket set and a #50 Torx on a 3/8 ratchet driver for the seat belt is all you need. Once the carpet is freed from the side molding (they simply lift up and out-3 pieces, IIRC) removed, carpeting simply peels back and you can prop it up with scrap wood. I used a GOOD cleaned out ShopVac to suck out as much water from my wading pool in the back seat and the cushioning/sound deadening foam, then put a heater in the closed rig (two windows open about 1 1/2 to 2") and let it run on moderate temp sporadically over 3 days and it's dry. Hit the floor where it was rusted with a wire brush, then Rust-Oleum automotive primer (2081830) and buttoned it all back up. Once the carpet it pulled up, you can easily see WHY water flows to the back footwell. Simply the lowest point on the car, AND there's a channel between the front and the back ribbing with a cut out and water simply flows downhill. Look for rust here as well. Surprisingly easy job...and yes, you can do it.
Pray that you never have to take that apart again. RTV is a MISTAKE!! I used a rubber weatherstrip from the hardware store. It's not messy, it's only stuck to one side so if I need to remove it it's easy. My blower motor is failed and I need to replace it now so I am in that situation now.
I used weather stripping as well.
th-cam.com/video/WV7FPKzjF8g/w-d-xo.html
You don't have to remove it to do the blower, you just drop the wheel skirts.
@Ty-sm9cv but if your heater core or blend door goes out which isn't uncommon for these cars you will
How did I never watch this? My town car has had a leak for YEARS and every shop I took it to NEVER even mentioned this. This video just made my day, this has been a headache for awhile.
MY 2006 was $46,000 and it still developed the leak... WOW... Easy fix and a great video... Thanks...
Just the video I needed. Never would have guessed the source of the leak. Thanks.
Great tutorial, Anthony! I did this on my white ‘03, four years ago. Glad to have the tip on putting a bit of RTV on those 11mm nuts. About to undertake this on my new Silver Birch ‘03 Signature as preventative maintenance. It’s such an easy task, that prevents getting your carpet ruined. Wish everybody knew about this when buying a TC!
How incredible is that! I found that pool of rain water in front of the rear seat in my 2000 Town Car yesterday, and then today I find this video from you on how to fix it! I didn't even have to google anything. Thank you so much!
Anthony - thanks for sharing - looking forward to the next “do it yourself” repair video.
You have a lot a knowledge on these cars Anthony . Pa Pa Bear is Hollywood quality camera 📷 man .
Hello Bill thank you maybe I can move out to Hollywood. Family is more important to me so I think I will be Anthony's camera man. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
I learned how to evaluate and buy a Town Car from you and found a real beauty, a 24,000 mile, always garaged 2009. The existing foam weather strip was in perfect condition. I tore it off, scraped it smooth and gave it the "Anthony Treatment"!
Many thanks- for everything!
Just did mine today (2010 town car) and it was also in really good shape but its regular cheap foam, tore it off, resealed it both parts with permatex rtv and gonna check on it tomorrow after it cures.
Wow! What a find!
Thank you so much for this video. I just finished working on my car while following this video. If I could do it all over again, I would've bought two tubes of Permatex. I managed to do two beads with one tube, but just barely.
Thank you so very much for sharing this information. I have a 98 Towncar Signature that I inherited from my brother 2 years ago. I was in tears everytime it rained and his baby was taking on water like that. I followed your instructions and did this to her on Saturday. It's definitely going to prevent a lot of damage to this beautiful car.
Watched this video 4 weeks ago👍Went to Lowe's and bought $3 10ft roll of Frost King ½"×½" vinyl/foam weatherstrip. No more leak. Used same roll on trunk lid plate cover. No more water in trunk lid.🙂
Thanks for posting.
I just purchased a 2005 Lincoln TC 60k miles and was bummed when I saw water getting in back. Thanks for this video and helping me not to have taken it to a mechanic who woulda upsold me on bs
Papa Bear is a great cameraman!! Excellent work!
Thank you Michael I owe you one. Have a great day. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
We have had that problem with every 98 plus Towncar we had and I had no idea how to fix it including our 2010. I had a feeling it was something pretty straightforward but never figured it was from the front of the car. I will get the RTV and fix it in the next few days. YOU ARE THE MAN! All the best to you and the poppa bear!
Hey thank you pal. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
I trimmed the bottom of that flap to prevent a clog from happening!
I removed it from mine.
Wow Anthony this is great I’ve seen a lot of videos and I’ve stayed aware of this problem but yours here is the clearest, and best produced, most comprehensive and detailed; thanks very much, I’m so impressed, & good camera work Papa Bear!
Hello thank for the compliment from both of us. We appreciate that feed back. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
I own a 08 Lincoln Town Car Executive L Series and noticed this problem. Love watching your videos. Always learning something new.
Thanks for making a video on this issue.
Peace be with you and God bless.
I have a 2006 TC Signature Ltd. It hasn’t started leaking yet , but this. Is very informative !!!!! Thanks so much !!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My 2006 Town Car (60,000 miles) has been afflicted with this problem and I couldn't find anybody who knew what was going on. I am SO grateful for this video.
There's at least 10 videos here on TH-cam addressing this very specific problem. ... Just saying.
@@PalaniRides this video gets my vote ,!!
So I bought an 03 Towncar and I didn't notice it when the guy I was buying it off of showed me around it but I sure noticed it when I got home, that floor was *soaked* and I've been keeping an eye on it and I noticed that after I dried it, the back floor doesn't get wet, but occasionally after long rains, I do notice a little wetness on the front passenger footwell, so I figured the leak was somewhere up behind the dash out in the engine compartment. Turns out I was right! This just appeared on my front page, and I'm glad to have noticed it.
EDIT: This'll probably be the next thing to tackle after I got the air suspension replaced with shocks&coils ($800 vs. $3500+, no contest).
The first time I noticed passenger floor wet I thought I had a heater coil leak. Glad that didn’t happen. I’m thankful for TH-cam, you can learn all kinds of stuff and how to fix. I had a similar problem with my air suspension also, squirrel chewed up the wiring. Replaced with coil suspension, $600 compared to $2500, and honestly I can’t tell any difference!
So your leak was the one this guy fixed in the video?
@@whitemale3115 Not the same car, no, but the same issue.
What it does not cost that much for air suspension anymore I just did my 07 the air springs were only 150 for 2 and that's all I needed but if you did have to replace the pump that's only 150 to 200 as well ! In all honesty it's worth it but if you have to pay someone or a shop then I understand not wanting to pay a lot !! But do it yourself and it won't be much more than the springs and you'll be happy you did !
Just got a garage-kept 2001 with low miles so this repair is on my MUST DO list. THANKS FOR THIS VIDEO!!!
THANK YOU!!! Man I thought I was going to have to spend an arm and a leg to fix whatever it was that was causing it to do that! Thank so much!
This was such a great help I literally just got done fixing it for my younger sisters who were having this problem. And my car mechanic abilities have only extended to replacing my lights.
I've had two 2010s, one Signature the other a Signature L. The L had this issue and found several videos on TH-cam about the clogged up drain and disintegrating gasket. I fixed it myself.
Man thank you so much! You have know idea how much you've helped me. I'm no dummy...working union construction (industrial, commercial, and residential) for the last ten years, I love puzzles (how to coordinate jobs to flow start to finish) and problem solving. With that being said I'm car retarded. But again, love to do things myself. You have made this possible my friend and I thank you. Own an 06 town car and was about to replace my windshield thinking that's where it was leaking from but thank God I found you. Saved me a lot of money my friend thanks a million. Will subscribe to gain more knowledge. Your a Saint!
A retired Lincoln/Mercury mechanic told me about this many moons ago. Whenever replacing a wiper motor, I always clean out and reseal or replace foam gasket. Been pretty lucky and never had a problem. "Knock on wood".
How often do you replace wiper motors? Every other oil change?:)
Wow, I have had this problem a few times with my TownCars over the years & never knew "what" was causing this water on my rear passenger floor. I knew it had something to do with the rain, or carwashes, but I couldn't figure it out for the life of me !! I have the last produced 2011 Executive L now & have not seen this problem in a long while now ..... probably because I am here in usually "sunny" Los Angeles 🫠!! But after coming across your video here, I will do this "preventive maintenance" ASAP, thanks to your so very easily fix here, Aaron AAnthony
Thanks Anthony. Mine started about a year and a half ago and I fixed it myself. I used a wet vacc and towels to dry. I also got humidity/moisture collectors from Dollar Tree and placed them in the magazine holders in the backs of the seats to wick the residual moisture from the air inside the car.
What I did with mine, after I bought it (an 03), the rear passenger footwell was _flooded_ with about an inch or so of standing water so what I did was I would always roll the windows down and park the car in the garage and on hot sunny days, I'd have the windows cracked open and park the car outside. Dried all that water up in about 3 days. And I usually keep it in the garage with the windows down, which guarantees that any future water coming in will dry up before it becomes a problem and the moisture won't stay in the car.
Lucky you didnt get mold in a sunny humid enviroment.@@Dhalin
Great video. This needs done on all 1998-2011 Town Cars immediately upon purchase or at age 10, which is all of them now. Yes, the water can run to the rear with the front being dry depending on how the car is parked with rear rear of the car lower than the front.
How does it get on the drivers side? It was always the front and back passenger side before but now its the drivers side. The car is parked in an uphill position but its level left to right. How would it get to the drivers side?
Firewall?@@seanlove2000
Did you ever figure it out or fix the leak ?@@seanlove2000
Thank you for this video! Had a water leak in the pass floor of an 07 Town Car. My cowl drain was fully clogged with leaves and the foam seal was missing. A++++++
My ‘07 had same problem. I took the whole cowling off, took off wiper arms and I coulda used a shovel to take out the leaves and debris!! I removed most by hand then vacuumed some then blew the rest out with air blower. I broke off an elbow for the washer and could not find any anywhere so to the junk yard I went and got a whole cowlingI ($100)! I did every step he just went thru and, voila, problem solved👏👏👏👏
Excellent explanation of the problem and exactly what to do to fix it. Also has helpful tips along the way. Great video!
Glad it helped!
Thank you so much!!! I was losing my mind trying to figure out where the water was coming from!🤷♀️🤦♀️
This was so easy to fix. Make sure you watch the entire video so you don’t miss a step like i did. Still worked like magic tho
Great video! I was smart and bought a bunch of the original foam gaskets from Ford years ago as replacements for future issues. I've know about this issue with these cars for a long time as well.
I've cleaned and reconditioned a lot of sunroofs for customers too with these cars . Preventative maintenance! 👍
Way to plan ahead. The rtv is probably better and will never be needed to be done again. If you have a decent amount of them you could just replace it every few years. You would be watching it and cleaning out the leaves maybe a couple times a year anyways. It would be nice knowing you had OEM NOS gasket too.
RTV will last far longer than the oem foam.
really appreciate your help on this issue. Glad i found your site. So good instructions and camera work, lighting, everything. My opinion , if well maintained and garaged, one of the best driving cars on the road, especially on a lengthy road trip. Nice and smooth and quiet. I remember driving my parents newer LT on a 4 hour trip one time and it drove so smooth and quiet, i almost fell asleep on the interstate highway.Thanks again for your excellent instructions.
Thanks for this walk through. I just picked up a 2000 signature that desperately needed this job done.
I have done this repair on two of my Town Cars but your explanation video is by far the clearest and most splendid one I have watched. Well done my man!
Thank you! Thank you! (Because I've got to do another on a car I've just acquired and it's been several years since I did the last two cars.)
Thank you! Hope this gives you a quick refresher
I've got a 1993 Ford Crown Vic (panther platform like the Lincoln) and it has that exact leak when it rains. If I was a betting man I'd wager your solution will fix my problem! Thanks for posting this tutorial!! LOVE your channel and all the gorgeous Caddies you feature!! Keep it up!!
FINALLY got around to addressing this! SO THANKFUL you posted this! It was actually much easier on my '93 Vic than on the Town Car in the video. The gasket is right under the initial cowl piece. As far as I can tell, no more leaking!! Just letting the carpet and pad dry out and then will address some of the surface rust from the sitting moisture.
Thanks so much for this information! I just bought an 07' and couldn't figure out where the leak was coming from. You're awesome!
This is exactly what was going on with our 2004 car.. it was going on for so long and not noticed because of all the "protective" extras and no one really was in the back seat.. that it had a lovely smell. We got it all cleaned out today and now I am ordering this sealant to get it repaired. :)
I followed your advice on this fix and thought it worked until recently when I found water in the footwell of the passenger side. I removed the rubber flapper on the drain at the base of the assembly under the hood. It has eliminated the water problem. I found that the flapper can restrict the exit of water.
really appreciate your help and taking care of your customer car i just bought 2005 lincoln town car same as the one you have and i see the water behind front passenger seat thanks again will be working on it tomorrow ASAP
This is a problem I wasn’t aware of but will 100% reference back to this video if the problem comes up. Will check this today or so. I have a ‘07 TownCar but has been babied and only been parked outside for 1 winter 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Hey Anthony & Papa Bear, great how to video!!! Years ago I worked with a mechanic who had a sticker on his tool box that said " if it leaks, 3M it" anyways, thanks guys for sharing another interesting video!! 👍👍🙂
Hello Christopher how are you? Yes I'm sure Anthony will do more how to repair videos in the future. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
@@paulgozzo9178 Hey Papa Bear, I'm doing very well, thanks for asking!! How are you doing?? I enjoy all of the videos you guys make, they're fun. Keep up the great work my friend!! 👍👍😊
Thank you,Anthony! Now I know how to fix the problem myself.
Awesome vid and very thorough with the info. I had an '09 Grand Marquis, but didn't have it long enough for that issue to have happened, but still great to know💪🙂
Thank you so much I've been fighting with my parents over this for the longest time on how that water was getting in on my car
Well done Anthony, Papa Bear was good on the camera as well. Regards Bill from the UK 🇬🇧
Thank you Bill my first time being camera man on a full video. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
Thanks Paul, ask Antony if he could please give a shout to his fans here in the UK 🇬🇧 when he makes his next video. Regards Bill
Hi Bill I did just mention it to him he said he will keep that in mind for the next video. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
@@paulgozzo9178 OK Paul thanks.Bill
So Bill I have to ask, if this problem occurs on a Lincoln Town Car in the UK, would the water pool on the opposite side than in the States?
Thank you for this video. Although I have never experienced any water infiltration leaks on my Panthers, I was aware of this issue with the vent intake.
Now I have detailed step by step instructions on how to fix it thanks to you!
Yes you are correct every single town car has this problem. Been there done that to my town car. It works well everything you said is true when applying it. Love your channel big thumbs up....
Thank you Julio we love the feedback. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
Anthony I love your how to videos. they are very thorough!
Did an excellent job on this Video Anthony!
Thanks for a great Video! My Daughter set her purse in the rear floor on mine and said Dad it is wet back here , So Looks like time to check out the Seal on this! Love my Lincoln and definitely want to keep it pristine as possible!
I don't know why I didn't find this video before - exactly my problem. Thank you!!
Had leak in my 04 ultimate..turned out it was a clogged drain....cleared it and never had problem since....next time will definitely reseal gasket
Fantastic vid Ant!! My best to your camera man...Papa Bear!!
Hello Barry thank you. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
That's great that your giving tips and making How to videos, Especially with Lincolns.
I was planning to buy my dream car when I came to the U.S. I think you made this video to share with us a chronic problem with this vehicle so that we can fix it. Thank you very much, it's very thoughtful. Are there any other precautions we should take with this vehicle that we can do ourselves?
You do a great service by doing a "how to; do it yourself" video. It can save people a lot of money. Good job.
Thank you Anthony I could not understand why i was getting water in my rear floor board I did this and found that seal was shot and the tray was plugged up with junk thank you so much for this video.
anthony and papa bear Thank you for this video mine leaked too i did clean out leaves out see if it leaks again if not i will do wthat you said
also that 78 caddy in the back there that looks nice
Hi Phillip thank you yes that 78 Cadillac is nice we should get that out and complete it. There is always nice cars coming in that we keep trying to move. Papa 🐻 & Anthony
Very informative and I appreciate your how to video.
very well done. easy to listen to and understand. I will try this on my car.
Follow every step he went thru, he explained it all so perfect👍
Thank You For This Video - I only wish I knew this before I just went and bought a musty smelling town car and woke up to 2" of water on the floor in back seat foot well.
Awesome video. I would have absolutely been lost without your video. You rock my friend
Thank you so much for your help because my 2006 Lincoln town car signature limited had a little shower tube in the left side back
Love the channel and all the cars you have. I am literally 5 minutes away from you and a certified mechanic with a mobile side business . If you ever need help with anything please message me!!
Come by sometime and introduce yourself!
Thank you very much , making this job so simple , this is the best video on that lincoln. leak!
This is a common leak location on the panther cars but not the only one. I had two locations on my 99 Vic, with water entering at the junctions of the A pillers and cowl.
Awesome. Just picked up an 05 and you saved me a ton of research and time.
Good job! I enjoyed this video of DIY fix. I think you should have more DIY fix in your videos.
Great video
Easy to watch and you explain it fast and simple
Thank you so much I have been dealing with this for so long and could never find issue.
I love how new and clean it looks under that hood. 👍
Thank you for this video! I was about to rip out the entire hvac box haha. Good thing i didn't evac the R134 yet.
THANK YOU SO MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR VIDEO BECAUSE I HAVE THE REAL PROBLEM IN MY 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ESPECIALLY ON THE WINTER SEASON
Thank you so much! I just picked up a 2011 Town Car with 80k miles and the previous owner had stuffed a bunch of what looks like cotton stuffing from a pillow over the grate. The foam on mine looked like it was still in good shape, but I scraped it off and sealed it up with RTV anyway. Great tip on putting RTV on the underside of the nut, my rubber seal was awfully dry. Just washed the hell out of it today and had no passenger rear floorboard water. Thanks again.
Anthony thanks so much for doing this, if I ever get my Dream Town Car I will definitely do this. Hi to Papa... !!!! :) :)
No wonder I can’t find a Cabin Air Filter for my 2011 Town Car!!! THANK YOU!
This looks just like my 2006 TownCar. Excellent presentation. Thanx.
Too easy. All thanks to you!!!! You seem like a great guy too. Thanks!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t want to seal it with silicone because then if I had to take it off for some reason it would be a pain to clean and reseal so I used self stick rubber weatherstripping I bought at Home Depot for boat and auto use. Just made sure it was compressed when I bolted down the piece. So far no leaks.
I did the same thing but it didn’t seal so I watched this vid and got the perma-seal and no more leaks.
PLEASE DO AN ANTENNA REBUILD ON THE 90-92 BROUGHAM !!!!!!
THIS
Video well done. The passenger side in my Ford truck would pool with water from cowell. Papa Bear he needs a dickie shirt with a Tony name patch.
Thanks pal,Papa 🐻 & Anthony
My buddy had the same problem with a 92 Cadillac Brougham. Passenger side floor kept getting wet. He had it at a few shops, they couldn't find where it was coming from.
Amazing tip.... thank you Anthony. God Bless.
*IMPORTANT TIP - when applying the RTV, don't use the little stupid nozzle they give you! It creates too much back pressure and will literally burst through the side of the tube and you will get it all over your hands. Just apply it with no cap or nozzle like he does in the video*
Awesome vid. I didn't realize this issue happens to the whole run from '98-'11 I always thought it was the 07 & 08 mostly.
Thanks for the video. Now I got to get mine done.
You left out the part when you hit your head on the hood.
Just did that last week
Great video I couldn't believe that where the water was coming from on my 2000 t c but it was thanks so much
Papa Bear is a great camera man!
Hi Samuel thank you for that!!!! Papa 🐻 & Anthony
Mine had the same exact issue and this solved it!