I would find condensation to be a curious problem.  Typically there has to be some kind of temperature differential to produce condensation.  IIRC there's a "dew point" for various combinations of temperature and humidity in the air.  If the dew point is exceeded you get dew or condensation.  So the question would be how is that happening in only one location on the car? 

Thanks for the replies. 🙂

The car was originally an A/C car, but I removed it 21 years ago and haven't gotten around to putting in a new system.

There could be a leak, but I'd really be surprised. I feel that I've sealed everything up pretty well. Its strange that it's happening only in the front though, but it does look like it's a sweating to me. The water present is a small amount.

The carpet isn't getting wet that I can see. The car is garaged and not driven much in the rain. I don't wash the car all that much either.

This really has me stumped... 🤔

Last edited by Toploader (6/25/2024 7:05 AM)

adding to Sal's post ...
Check the water heater hoses, may have a slight leak?
Check for any water coming from the cowl.
Check all the penetration in the firewall.
Check the seal around the windshield. 
Check the floor plugs by the front seats.

This could be left over from a previous leak, drying out under the rugs can take some time unless the car is parked in the hot sun for a long time.
 

Do you leave your windows down? Do you have a cat?

Earlier today, I poured a large jug of water along the windshield and cowl area. I couldn't find any water coming in down the floors.

With the dynamat material, I never peeled the backing off and stuck it down as I was a bit hesitant to stick it down. I am wondering if this could cause some condensation or moisture to form between the foil and the floor pan?

Currently I am recoating the floors with an oil based black enamel (exterior rust proofing) type paint.

After that, I plan to coat over that with a wax type rust proof coating that dries semi tacky.

After that, I'm reconsidering what insulation to put back down...

lowercasesteve wrote:

Have you looked for a leak in the heater core?

With all the carpet and insulation all out of the car now, I am not finding any leaks running down the floor pans. I still think the metal is sweating somehow, but who knows...
 

Toploader wrote:

Earlier today, I poured a large jug of water along the windshield and cowl area. I couldn't find any water coming in down the floors.

With the dynamat material, I never peeled the backing off and stuck it down as I was a bit hesitant to stick it down. I am wondering if this could cause some condensation or moisture to form between the foil and the floor pan?

Currently I am recoating the floors with an oil based black enamel (exterior rust proofing) type paint.

After that, I plan to coat over that with a wax type rust proof coating that dries semi tacky.

After that, I'm reconsidering what insulation to put back down...

So the foil of the Dnamat was face down?  I'm guessing the black backing was face up?  Was the area you saw condensation the only area where this was the case?  If so, here's my thought: black absorbs heat.  I'm wondering if the Dynamat was getting considerably hotter than the floorpan and leading to the condensation.  The air would have to be humid for this, but hey, its summer.  There would also have to be a source for the heat (bright non LED light, the sun, etc.). 

If there is water somehow getting in, I wonder what the best thing to do is?

I did try the water around the windshield, cowl and wipers and couldn't see water trails down the floors.

I do drive my car more than most probably do and maybe with wet roads, some water has come in somewhere.

How well sealed are your cars? I'm now wondering if water just gets in and that is how it is with these things?

Rufus68 wrote:

In order to have condensation, you need to have warm moist air in contact with a cool surface.  You see this on the glass of your chosen favorite iced beverage.  When the floor pan is covered, I don't see how these conditions are met.  I suspect the water entered the area as a liquid and not as humidity.  ...but I can't know this for sure.

I agree.