leaking footwell?

[russelldav]

I've stripped out my interior and carpet to fix a leaking sunroof, but now that is done I've noticed that in each of the footwells, behind the thick black rubber sound proofing there is a lot of water - smells a bit rank but it's definitely water.

What could cause a leak in to the footwell? Is there a grommet or gasket that is the likely suspect? And do these thick rubber mats that seem to be bonded to the car come out easily?

[russelldav]

Help please?! Anyone? I dried it all out completely last week in the good weather but after a shower last night both footwells are wet again - what is the likely suspect?

[russelldav]

I should add I recently replaced the sunroof to fix a leak up there so I'm 99% sure it's not coming from above the dash - if the heater matrix was leaking wouldn't I notice a drop in water/coolant level?

[holdawayt]

mines done the same, my sunroof is leaking still though.
i dont have any rubber matts though, just took carpets out and the thick carpety sound proofing stuff. was to mouldy to save so now i have no soundproofing and the remains of my carpet!

[Tom_Crx]

Drain channels?

[russelldav]

The drain pipes are both clear, unless you mean they could be draining in to the footwell? How could I check this - the rubber pipe seems to disappear in to the chassis and is unreachable.

I can't seem to take these thick rubber mats out without removing the entire dash so it's hard to see exactly where the ingress is comign from?

Would removing the wipers and wiper motor to expose the drain channel in front of the windscreen shed any light do you think?

[Rez]

Hi mate I know what a pain this can be I have a thread on finding a leak. Any way:

Did you have the head liner down to see if there is corrosion on the inside of the channels and around the drain pipes where the rubber meet the metal. You will see what I mean when you drop it.

Did you check the aerial nut.

Door seals, window seals, boot seals.

Seal the floor grommets with silicon or PU adhesive.

Check the front windscreen channels a free from crap below the windscreen under the bonnet.

Does it smell of coolant if so it could be the heater matrix.

My personal favorite after checking all that looking for my leak was under the bonnet either side where the steering arms come through the inner wings there is a seam that follows down to the underside of the car. The seam sealant had cracked on my car on the top flat ledge(Divers side on mine) and was letting water in. PU sealant smoothed over with a paint brush sorted it and car has been dry ever since. When checking window seals mix some soapy water up and put it in a squeeze bottle trace along a bit of seal at a time. If there is a leak you will see the bubbles get sucked in before your very eyes(Thanks Ray for the TIP) Hope you find it REZ.

[russelldav]

Cheers mate - I'm away the next few days but will check it out this weekend and let you know. Hope it's something simple.

There was corrosion in the sunroof drain channels when I replaced it but had it fiber glassed over since so don't think it's that. I'm currently running about with no carpet or head lining with the theory being that finding the leak would be easier - sods law it's coming (seemingly) from behind the dash though. Doesn't smell of coolant - just smells like rain water. Plus my coolant level would be serious down judging on how wet it is and it isn't.

[Rez]

Cheers mate - I'm away the next few days but will check it out this weekend and let you know. Hope it's something simple.

There was corrosion in the sunroof drain channels when I replaced it but had it fiber glassed over since so don't think it's that. I'm currently running about with no carpet or head lining with the theory being that finding the leak would be easier - sods law it's coming (seemingly) from behind the dash though. Doesn't smell of coolant - just smells like rain water. Plus my coolant level would be serious down judging on how wet it is and it isn't.

Nice one make sure you check those seams in the engine bay or instead of mucking around just re-seal all of them on the bulkhead and inner wings nr the bulk head

[russelldav]

have you got a pic of which seam you mean?