Air leak/draft near passenger firewall ?

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TahoeJim

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Never noticed it before, but the front passenger area near the dash has some kind of an outside air leak. Wife was complaining her legs were getting cold during an extended highway trip (70mph) last week and I didn't believe her at first since the heat in this truck is outstanding. After we swapped seats and I was in the front passenger seat, I felt it as well.

Feeling around, I found that the instrument panel itself was cold, especially around the back of the glovebox area. There was cold air moving but not from one certain point I could identify very readily.

Where does the truck take in outside air for the HVAC system?

Anyone else experience this and know the source or solution? Pull out the passenger seat and lay there upside down looking for "something" that looks wrong? 99% of my driving is in-town and below 50mph, it would take 40 minutes just to get to a road I could drive above 50 for a sustained period.
 
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bowtiefreak

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There is always a continuous flow of air through the system even when turned off. Was the thermostat set low? I think this feature has been around for a while to avoid Carbon Monoxide build up in vehicles.

Not sure this is the same problem though that you are seeing, just something to keep in mind
 

SunlitComet

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Maybe this or not:

File In Section: 01 - HVAC

Bulletin No.: 01-01-37-008

Date: April, 2001

TECHNICAL
Subject:
Passenger Side of Vehicle Colder/Warmer Than Driver's Side
(Repair HVAC Case to Cowl Seal)

Models:
1999-2001 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Pickup (Silverado, Sierra) and Utility (Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon, Yukon XL) Models
2002 Cadillac Escalade

Condition

Some customers may comment that the passenger side of the vehicle may be:
1. Colder than the driver's side when the heat mode is on.

2. Warmer than the driver's side when the air conditioning (A/C) mode is on.

3. There may be dampness on the vehicle dash assembly when the A/C mode is on.

Cause

Condition may be due to poor sealing of the HVAC air inlet case to the front of dash or the recirculation mode door actuator may not hold the recirculation door closed while driving.

Correction

Replace the recirculation door actuator (if necessary) and repair the HVAC case to cowl seal using the following procedures:
1. Place the A/C control in the manual heat mode.

2. Remove the fixed mast radio antenna.

3. Open the hood and install fender covers.

4. Remove both wiper arm assemblies using the following procedure:

4.1. Disconnect the washer solvent hose from the air inlet grille panel nozzle.

4.2. Remove the cover from the wiper arm retainer. Remove the retainer.

Important: Use a battery terminal puller in order to remove the wiper arm.

Rock the wiper arm back and forth in order to loosen the arm from the drive shaft. Remove the wiper arm.
5. Lower the hood.

6. Remove the air inlet grille panel using the following procedure:

6.1. On each end of the air inlet grille panel is a rubber flap for the hood hinge cutout. Lift this flap and remove the air inlet grille panel attaching screw.

6.2. Remove the air inlet grille panel center top push pin.

6.3. Remove the clips that position the forward edge of the grille panel to the top of the cowl.

6.4. Disconnect the windshield washer supply hose from the bottom of the grille panel.

6.5. Remove the air inlet grille panel by sliding the panel rearward up the windshield and out.

7. Just to the left of the right hood hinge, on the horizontal surface of the cowl, locate a cover that is sealed in place. The cover has TRW stamped into it.

8. With a sharp knife, cut out the panel following the panel impression in the sealer tape.

9. Place a lifting device between the cover and the dash. Lift the cover enough to allow another tool to depress and release the front retaining tabs by pushing rearward on them. Remove the cover.

10. Look through the opening where you just removed the cover. You will see what looks like a piece of foam about 76 x 127 mm (3 x 5 in). This is the A/C recirculation door that is within the HVAC module.

11. Reach into the opening and carefully pull on the air inlet recirculation door. If the recirculation door moves with very little effort, replace the air inlet (recirculation) door actuator (Manual systems only). For systems with the Automatic Temperature control, initialize the system using published Service procedures.

12. Between the top of the HVAC air inlet module (appears as a 6 mm (1/4 inch) black strip) and the cowl sheet metal is a foam seal. This foam seal may be improperly positioned or damaged in some way (insufficient crush/sealing). This may allow outside ambient air to enter the passenger compartment incorrectly (under driving conditions). This can be corrected using the following procedure:

Important: It is imperative that a good seal be achieved over the entire surface areas (no voids or skips), especially around the rear and sides of the HVAC case to cowl areas.

12.1. Seal the area between the cowl and HVAC case with RTV Silicone Rubber Sealant, P/N 12345739 (in Canada, use P/N 10953541).

12.2. Using your finger, from the engine side of the cowl, ensure that the foam is stuck nicely to the HVAC module and does not have any distortions.

12.3. From the engine side of the cowl, working through the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, place a shop cloth into the opening and cover the blower fan. This keeps silicone from dripping onto the motor and causing an imbalance condition.

12.4. From the engine side of the cowl, working through the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, apply the RTV silicone to bridge the gap and cover the foam between the cowl sheet metal and the HVAC module case. Inspect your work with a light and a mirror. Ensure that no gaps or skips are present in the RTV seal.

12.5. Inspect your work for potential drips, runs, etc. If no problem is seen, remove the shop cloth covering the blower motor.

13. Apply a 3 mm (1/8 in) bead of weatherstrip adhesive, P/N 12345097 (in Canada, use P/N 10953479) around the opening in the horizontal surface of the cowl, where the cover fits into the cowl.

14. Place the cover on the workbench, top on the surface, and apply a 3 mm (1/8 in) bead of weatherstrip adhesive on the edge of the cover.

15. Place the cover into the cowl opening and snap into place.

16. Apply another bead of weatherstrip adhesive around the joint between the cover and the top of the cowl. Smooth this bead into a smooth surface with a finger or tool of some kind.

17. Place the leaf screen to the cowl. Attach the washer supply hose to the bottom of the air inlet grille panel. Do not place the fasteners in at this time.

18. Install the radio fixed mast antenna. Tighten 1/4 turn after contact is made with the base.

19. Lower but do not close the hood.

20. Center the opening in the air inlet grille panel around the antenna mast and then install the air inlet grille panel retaining screws.

Tighten

Tighten the screws to 2 Nm (18 lb in).
21. Raise the hood.

22. Reinstall the air inlet grille panel center retainer and front edge retaining clips.

23. Cycle the wipers to ensure the wiper system is in the parked position.

Important: Inspect the windshield lower edge on each side. About 51-76 mm (2-3 in) from the bottom, you will find a 13 mm (1/2 in) long black mark embedded in the glass. The black line is the position for the wiper blade to be in when the wiper system is in the parked position.

24. Install the wiper arm assemblies. Position the wiper blades just below the black marks in the windshield.

25. Install the retaining nuts.

Tighten

Tighten the retainers to 25 Nm (18 lb ft).
26. Reconnect the washer hoses.

27. Remove the fender covers.

28. Close the hood.



Parts Information

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

Warranty Information
 

96ProCompTahoe

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dont think our are the same as that write up, looks like its for the NBS
 
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TahoeJim

TahoeJim

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It definitely is outside ambient air coming in. Driving in 19 degree ambient temps with the heat on it's warmest temp setting, outside air is coming into the cab on the pass side from behind the dash.

Sounds like it is the start of some breakdown of the gasket/foam seal. I'll have to check into that.
 

Maxxtraxx K5

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yea that bulletin is for the NBS trucks.
ive got the same issue in my rig, aslo have a small water leak coming in from somewhere. ive been tracking it down to see if these two issues are related. no luck yet. only is wet when it rains outside. when i wash it, no water. go figure!
 
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TahoeJim

TahoeJim

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Not a water leak, I've driven in horrendous rain and water covered roads and the carpet and all remain dry. Right now, just outside air coming in and I only notice it in the dead of winter when driving at highway speeds. That is, I don't notice it, but whoever is in the front passenger seat.

I was going to look around under there today with a flashlight and see if any housings need to be tightened up or there was an obvious gap in some foam gasket/insulation but a wonderful blizzard has hit. Another weekend pissed away.. :emotions122:
 

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