Stopped leaking despite rain

it has rained here quite a lot over the past week or so and normally there is a puddle in the drivers footwell after rain. However, despite the recent downpours, There have been no puddles. What's going on. I have struggled to work out where the water comes in, it seems to drip off the bottom of the dash slightly to the right of the steering wheel. I've done nothing to the beast lately so it's a bit of a mystery. Normally I would be happy about this but I can't help feeling it's a sign of impending doom.

Col

Could be a leaky windscreen seal. You could try nipping up the retaining bolts in each corner to see if it makes a difference. Also check the gutter inside the engine compartment just underneath the bonnet on the bulkhead. Also check the accelerator retaining bolts and mud shield bolts which are all around the top of the footwell. If you're getting a puddle of water that's quite severe. Is it worse driving or when standing? The last thing you need is the top of the bulkhead to rot, if that goes the bulkhead can't really be repaired.

Windscreen seal probably
Have you ever removed the roof by any chance and then refitted

I haven't really driven it in heavy rain. The rain seems to run along the gutter above the windscreen, then through the hole in the gutter (should that be there) then down the the drivers side windscreen and disapears into the windscreen hinge bracket. I'm not sure if it is then getting inside the car somehow. It's definitely dripping from behind the dash so it's not the footwell itself. I have left a couple of the driver side floor plate screws out to let it drain away.
I will try nipping up the retaining bolts and the accelerator retaining bolts. Thanks for that tip. Several months ago I replaced the vent panel seals but that made no difference. However before the rain started, I had the driver vent open and then shut it when I parked up. It hasn't leaked since then.

Col

No, never disturbed the roof,it's a 109 CSW. Does the roof need to be lifted to replace the windscreen seal?

Col

Curse of the series spread to 110/90 then to defenders. There is a water ingress pamphlet you can download with details of the known areas to seal. Many L/R drivers carry a spare divers wet suit or later suffer with water on the knee

Dont cure it. It was designed to do that so the puddle reminds you to move your knees when opening the door and a pint of rainwater falls on you.

I'm not worried about the water on the floor, it is the route it takes to get there I worry about. Oddly, the passenger footwell panel is rotted through but that side stays dry. An enthusiast would take the dash out to Find the source but that entails dealing with loads of rusty fasteners. I might try blocking the hole in the windscreen gutter to see if that changes anything, but I'll have to wait for it to start leaking again first. My original post was just me wondering why it hasn't leaked recently despite the rain. I don't like it when faults cure themselves, it's not natural.

Col

The rain recently round our way has been very verticle, possible a more horizontal rain is required.

Have a play with the hose pipe, you will find the issue and then with the knowledge and worry will also strip endless rusty bits off to mend a little hole.

I never used to worry about it until I added some nice quality rubber mats which prevent the water from running away. When I saw how much water collected, I started to fret. I have now taken the driver side mat out out.

Col

Surely if you block the hole in the gutter the water will simply overflow? Mine overflows on the side, despite the hole being there on the front!

I was hoping that if I blocked the hole, the rain would run off the end of the gutter. I was just thinking about moving the rain over a bit so that it doesn't run down the window and disappear through the driver side windscreen hinge bracket. I like Pete1987RRC idea of using a hose to simulate the rain, I could test different places then.

Col

There's something wrong in the design that sends the gutter run off down the windscreen hinges. Given I've just replaced the bulkhead corners and hinges I'm going to look at diverting the run off.