Water leaks in the front foot wells

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Farbbm
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Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:21 pm

I've found out that both my front foot wells are damp with water with the passenger side being worse than the drivers side. What are the main culprits of this and what are the easiest ways to resolve it?
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bimanut
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Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:25 pm

Top culprits are,holes in floor and blocked drains.Either the "elephant trunk" in the engine bay or sunroof drain pipes.
Banjo1981
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Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:36 pm

Don't forget broken heater valve and maybe dodgy door seals.

In this case I would probably say holes in the floor as most likely culprit.
mat_patsy
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Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:22 pm

Check both of the front jacking points from the underside (although i believe the correct terminology is factory mounting points). Mine have rotted from the inside - underseal still intact on the outside but a scredriver can be pushed through with ease!!! :(

Also - i'd advise on getting the carpet out - just done it on mine, bit of a pig to remove but not technically difficult. There is oodles of sponge/foam backing that soaks up gallons of water underneath your carpet, and as such may have been there a while. Once it is out you can wash and dry it properly and address all the issues with the floorpan.

Also check the bulkhead behind the glovebox - there's a big rubber grommet there which the ECU cable and some others come through the bulkhead - another known problem area.

Finally, check the front outer corners of the floorpan (from inside the car). This is directly above the jacking points - again, might look ok but test carefully with a screwriver... mine went straight through and out the bottom!!!! :mad:
mat_patsy
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Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:25 pm

oh... and you will need to remove the centre console to remove the carpet - while it is out you will be able to check the heater to see if it is the culprit :)
Farbbm
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Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:30 am

Cheers guy's, I had the dash replaced recently and when the carpets were lifted there was some rot (which I'm about to take of) on the floor but the water is definatley getting in from above as the car had been standing during January and February covered in snow. Obviously when it melted the water made it's way in, I'll have a look at the weekend at the suggested areas that could be causing the problem.
mat_patsy
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Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:13 pm

Check the seal on the rim around the engine compartment too - it seals with the bonnet when it is closed. There is a join in the seal just above the front wheel arch area - I believe this i what causes the rot under the glovebox as water escapes over the top and down the inside of the wheelarch and onto the bulkhead. Worth a check! :P
nicey
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Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:20 pm

Spot on mat_patsy, been down the same route as you.......mine was the big gromit, there was n't one!.
Would just add that when removing the carpet, cut the carpet carefully under the heater box, it makes it alot easier getting carpet in/out as all that foam does n't to be recompressed back under..... :x
Farbbm
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Fri Mar 26, 2010 10:39 am

Excellent guys thanks for the additional information. I'll be checking all of these areas over the weekend.
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