How to: Da Water Leak Fix

Vehicles these instructions apply for: DA5, DA6, DA7, DA8
Example vehicle: 1990 Integra XSi (JDM) manual.

Difficulty: 2/5
Risk of damage: 1/5

Disclaimer: These instructions are intended as a guide only, the webmaster and the author accept no liability for any damage or unforeseen consequences arising from following these instructions.

These instructions are intended to be fully detailed so that even beginners can attempt this procedure. Most users with some experience will not need the level of detail supplied here. Nonetheless I recommend you read through the full instruction set before attempting this procedure.

Tools: Small flat head screwdriver
Large flat head screwdriver
12mm socket or spanner
1 tube of windscreen silicone

Fixing the Leak

To fix the leak you must first remove the cowling at the bottom of the windscreen, and then the panel covering the air vent intake.

Removing the cowling

Open the bonnet and remove the windscreen wiper arms using the socket or spanner to remove the nut holding each on. Ensure you remember which arm goes on which side, as they are different lengths.
Remove the covers over the 6 plastic screws holding on the cowling (Fig 1.). Pop them off using a small screwdriver or your fingernails. Then use the large flat head screwdriver to unscrew them (Fig 2).

BELOW: Fig's 1, 2

The clips at the front of the cowling are under the rubber seal. Use a pair of pliers to pinch the bottom and lift them. The rubber seal will then come off and the cowling is ready to be removed.
Take care when removing the cowling as the corners around the hinges are thin and easy to break (Fig 3). Lift the cowling one side at a time up the windscreen. Be careful as the edges are tucked under the A pillar slightly. Take your time to avoid breaking this part.

BELOW: Fig 3

Removing Air Intake Cover

You should now see the air intake cover on the passenger’s side (Fig 4). There will be two clips holding this on. These simply pull out. There will also be a row of 7 plastic screws along the top of the cover which need to be removed. Apply gentle pressure when unscrewing these as the threads will not push them out very hard. Once they are out a small way they can be pulled out. Remove the clips that they screw into also.

BELOW: Fig 4

 

There may be some silicone already on the cover, so some force may be required to remove the cover. Remove any loose silicone that’s on it, prior to replacement.

Fixing the leak

You should now see something like Fig 5. Clean up the area above the air vent and remove the rubber seals from the two holes shown in Fig 6. The leak is caused by the rubber seals (Fig 7.) splitting over time and letting water drip through them.

BELOW: Fig's 5, 6 and 7

Reach down into the fan and remove any debris while you’re there.
Apply silicone to the holes shown in Fig 6. Replace the cleaned seals and apply another layer of silicone to the top. Ensure the foam seal (Fig 8) on the cover is clean and stays in place when the cover is replaced.
Apply more silicone to the holes above the air vent after you replace the cover. Push the plastic clips back into place and apply more silicone. Push the rest of the clips and screws into place to ensure the cover is held down correctly, then push the screws into place above the intake and apply more silicone, to make sure no water can get down there.

BELOW: Fig 8

 

Reassembly

After the intake cover is restored, put everything back together in the reverse order to which is taken apart. Remember to install the windscreen cowling from above the bonnet and tuck the edges into the A pillar for neatness. The plastic screws which hold down the cowling can be snapped back together, and then pushed firmly into place.

Additional Notes

As the fix consists essentially of covering the leak with silicone, remember that the silicone will take around 24 hours to cure fully. Try to keep it out of the rain for this period, just to avoid anything going wrong and having to repeat the process.
If the leak continues, take it apart again, and make sure that the foam seal on the cover (Fig 8) stayed in place. If it doesn’t, the water will pour over the lip and into the fan. You may also wish to seal around the white plastic stud above the air vent. These are very tricky to remove, however.
If there is a leak in the driver’s side air vent, check the driver’s side intake seals. There is a separate cover over that (Fig 9).

BELOW: Fig 9

How To By Fraser Law

*Contact Author

 

 

 

This website has been gradually growing since I started it in early 2002. Originally I was simply documenting modifications and repairs to my car but I decided to publish it when I began to discover others were interested in the information. If you need help or have a how-to relating to Honda B series VTEC engines, or DA or DC2R Integras you can
email me.

While all care is taken to provide correct information, mistakes are occasionally made and I cannot be responsible for any damage that occurs to readers vehicles.