P38A Water ingress causing damp / condensation and mould spots

awkwardbob · Apr 3, 2021

Hi,

apologies for second post this morning.
I’ve grown to love our ‘97 P38 and have been able to deal with a lot of her foibles.
The one I’m having most angst with, however, is that she’s, well, damp.
Soaking.
If I open the rear doors, there’s water under where the door was closed.
the front carpets seem damp too.
I’ve had water drip on my feet whilst driving.

it does seem to be rainwater / exterior moisture getting in rather than any fluid or heater leaks but it’s driving me nuts and I’m starting to see damp / mould patches appearing.

where are the likely culprits for water ingress, what should I be looking out for and how can I stop the sogginess ?

very very grateful for any help and advice on this one.

Bob

Shimsteriom · Apr 3, 2021

Reported for a very misleading thread title.

awkwardbob · Apr 3, 2021

Sorry, wasn’t trying to be offensive, apologies for any caused.
Will change it if I can work out how to

Shimsteriom · Apr 3, 2021

awkwardbob said:
Sorry, wasn’t trying to be offensive, apologies for any caused.
Will change it if I can work out how to

It was a joke.

awkwardbob · Apr 3, 2021

brianp38dse · Apr 3, 2021

Pollen filters or scuttle, seal round pollen filter housing with self adhesive draft excluder then replace covers, scuttle drains are a bit more involved you have to take of all the trim and seal round all the screws and make sure all the drains are clear.

a quick copy and paste from a previous thread

Rubberknees · Apr 3, 2021

awkwardbob said:
Ah

You'll get plenty of jest BUT stick around the help and assistance is available from the guru's on here. We've all had the problems at some time or other

tomcat59alan · Apr 3, 2021

There's loads of information on leaks if you use the search facility top right hand side. Add to @brianp38dse 's post,A/C and sunroof drains.

Gord Wedman · Apr 3, 2021

On YouTube there is a video showing removal of all the panels below the wiper arms to reseal them. If sealing the pollen filters does not solve your problem that procedure would be the next step. I have done this and still have wet carpets so must revisit the problem.
In an earlier car, a 98, I discovered a leak at the seam where the door frame joins the roof. This caused the headliner by the sun visor to get wet. I wonder if this could drain all the way to the floor? The headliner in my 99 is not wet so I doubt this is my problem. If I ever fix the leak I will post. The source. Good luck.
PS: you might leave a couple windows open a crack to reduce humidity and mold buildup.

tomcat59alan · Apr 3, 2021

Gord Wedman said:
On YouTube there is a video showing removal of all the panels below the wiper arms to reseal them. If sealing the pollen filters does not solve your problem that procedure would be the next step. I have done this and still have wet carpets so must revisit the problem.
In an earlier car, a 98, I discovered a leak at the seam where the door frame joins the roof. This caused the headliner by the sun visor to get wet. I wonder if this could drain all the way to the floor? The headliner in my 99 is not wet so I doubt this is my problem. If I ever fix the leak I will post. The source. Good luck.
PS: you might leave a couple windows open a crack to reduce humidity and mold buildup.

And always have your A/C on.

tomcat59alan · Apr 3, 2021

Rubberknees said:
You'll get plenty of jest BUT stick around the help and assistance is available from the guru's on here. We've all had the problems at some time or other

He's been on a while mate and is used to the pi$$taking,think I accused him of being awkward not long after he joined didn't I @awkwardbob

awkwardbob · Apr 3, 2021

Thanks All,

I have had a look through before and have investigated the pollen filter covers which seem fine.
I’ll try and find that video and look
Through race to see how best to delve a little deeper.
I’ve the centre console out just now as I was sorting the hevac screen and replacing a few blown bubbles and the glovebox and cubby struts.
It might just be trial and error with a hose !

but thanks for the pointers.

Bob

-had cracked the windows and sunroof all day to let her breathe a bit. Unfortunately I’m need to replace the AC condenser and drier which I might attempt next week if I’m feeling brave !

Ratae · Apr 3, 2021

Take the door cards off & see if the plastic weather sheets are present, in good condition & securely glued (or masticed) to the metal of the doors.
Water runs down the outside of the door glass & a lot of it passes the rubber waist seals & drips off the bottom of the window into the door.
The plastic sheets keep it in the door & it exits via the drain holes in the bottom of the doors - check they're clear.
Otherwise it can drip onto & run down the back of the door card & into the car
May not be your problem but it's a common issue - not just with LRs - & causes much headscratching.
Any plastic sheet will do & butyl rubber strip - basically very sticky plasticine - does a good job of sticking it on.
E.g: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4M-Butyl...dlight-LED-Retrofit-Reseal-Strip/265105166135

P38-DFX · Apr 3, 2021

Check the tailgate and door seals too. They're known for splitting or coming away.

awkwardbob · Apr 3, 2021

Thanks guys,

the weather sheets are present but have been brutalised by a PO so I may look at trying to repair / replace those.
Will check the drain holes too.
Boot is like a swimming pool with no obvious signs of where the water is coming from !

all part of the fun I suppose !

will take some pics and report back

Thanks again

Bob

brianp38dse · Apr 3, 2021

If you dry the boot out then give it a light dusting of talc powder you will be able to track where its running from

Enuff · Apr 3, 2021

The drips on yer driving foot and passenger side wet spots on mat, are from the top part of the pollen filter housing, the bit you can't reach with weatherproof sealant. It's worse if you remove the filter. The boot is usually a bad rubber seal if you park on a slant., Remove boot rubber, black sealant all round metal and bosh rubber back on before sealant dries. This seals inside of ribber and lifts it making a better seal, also tighten your back door up for good measure.
It's an age thing.

awkwardbob · Apr 5, 2021

Well today I stripped down the front end and found water in my pollen filters, so at least that’s somewhere there’s been a problem.

Evidence of past issues too and some remedial work possibly on passenger side.

stripped back, cleaned up. Small bead of silicon between rubber gasket and plastic filter housing, then again in the underside of the metal panel which seals to the body work.
Hoping that will have helped, will keep
An eye on it though !

tomcat59alan · Apr 6, 2021

awkwardbob said:
Well today I stripped down the front end and found water in my pollen filters, so at least that’s somewhere there’s been a problem.

Evidence of past issues too and some remedial work possibly on passenger side.

stripped back, cleaned up. Small bead of silicon between rubber gasket and plastic filter housing, then again in the underside of the metal panel which seals to the body work.
Hoping that will have helped, will keep
An eye on it though !

Put some draught excluder around the pollen filter lid as well when you put it back together.every little helps.

brianp38dse · Apr 6, 2021

tomcat59alan said:
Put some draught excluder around the pollen filter lid as well when you put it back together.every little helps said the old lady as she tiddled in the sea

edited for accuracy

P38A Water ingress causing damp / condensation and mould spots

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