awkwardbob

awkwardbob

Well-Known Member
Hi,

Whilst sorting through some minor issues with my 2003 L322 if had her parked up for a couple of weeks.

I got a shock when, after some really heavy rain, I found the mat and carpet in the drivers footwell completely soaked -not damp, saturated.

Door seals seem ok but I do get water when opening the door (same on NS) but not this much.

What might be likely culprits ?

The rubber lower finisher on the windscreen might not be stuck to the screen right in the corner and scuttle panel is a wee bit loose / rattly -could it be this ?

Or is the likely culprit the sun roof drain pipes ?
I had a look but does anyone have any advice on how to check / probe / unblock these ? (Or is there a guide ?)

Thanks again

Soggy Bob
 
The rubber strip on the lower windscreen plastic is just a finishing strip. One problem is the drains at either end of the body work under the windscreen and beneath the plastic tray. These can get blocked with leaves and debris. The water level then rises and finds an easy way into the interior.
This normally requires the wipers and the plastic tray to be removed, then clear the drains and remove the rubber drain tubes completely.
For the sun roof, open it fully and stand in the car through the sunroof and pour water into the surrounding sunroof tray and watch its behavior. Also check the upper front door pillars and headlining the area of each drain for damp forming. (one at each corner). 👍
 
Don't forget the AC drain tubes. They're easy to get at behind the side dash panel by your feet.
 
Ughhhh….

I’m losing the will here. A few days of glorious weather and all dried out, one morning of rain and footwell drenched again.

The water seems to be getting in quite high up, just below windscreen level and I don’t have the time for prolonged investigations….

I also seem to be stuck in Trailer mode with the occasional ‘Check Trailer’ light warning and a CAM bus error on the EAS.

I’m a bit p*ssed off as I put it into a garage to have a coolant leak fixed and its come back with these new issues :(

The old 7N socket on the back was toast so i cut it off and refitted a new one as I thought it might be a short -but that’s made zero difference. Will try the trailer module when I get a chance and the Midgies will let me, but i wondered if all of this could be related to a soggy footwell and electronical grief ?

I need a bear

Bob
 
Pics of the water ingress:
IMG_6525.jpeg

IMG_6532.jpeg
IMG_6530.jpeg
IMG_6528.jpeg
 
That is a severe leak isn't it? TO have the water splashing on the door panel like that it may as well have the window open!

I think you need to give it a bit of a hosing with a friend sitting in it.

Have you cleared the drains out? I've used compressed air to do it in the past, if you don't have a compressor, you can got the petrol station and used the tyre pump to some degree but the easiest thing is to just pour some water in around the base of the wiper and see if it drains away, if it pools at all you have a bit of a blockage. Both sides of the scuttle and I think there's one in the centre too.

I don't think the angles would be right for it to be the seal around the door mirror and even if it were, how would the water hit the door card half way down? It's mysterious but so bad it has to be big enough to find.
 
I tried the scuttle panel and there is a load of gunk around the base of the wiper. Water is pooling there but does drain out under the footwell when I poured a cup of water in -slowly mind.

Perhaps the torrential rain is causing it.

I’ll start with the scuttle panel and work from there.

Would some fluorescent dye help ? -or am I over-complicating things

Thanks again for your help :)
 
If it's draining slowly, it ain't right. Put some water in there, hit it with the airline, then wipe your face and change your shirt etc. as you will be wearing a fair bit of muck! Ask me how I know... Or cover over it a bit with a cloth, you know, your choice and all that. The water shouldn't really pool at all, it should just run away

I think fluorescent dye will just end up dying your interior a bit. If you can, remove the wiper arms, (tip: put a bit of tape on the screen to help you line them up again afterwards) but they may well put up one hell of a fight to remove them from the spindles. If you can do that you can remove the scuttle pretty easily and then you'll see if you you have a big pool of water in there.

I can't shake the nag about how splashy the water seems to have been on the side of the dash, that's the bit that's really bothering me about this issue, surely it can only splash if it falls from a height. You haven't got a seal pulled out round the top of the door have you?
 
Did a little video for you on mine draining water, sorry about the wind noise.


Maybe a daft question but was the panel already missing from the side of your dash or is there water behind it? I don't think it's the scuttle panel that's causing your issue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Shogun243
Passenger Footwell Leak
2
Replies
29
Views
5K
Keith_L
Keith_L
BunduRafiki
L322 Drivers door won't open from inside or outside
Replies
7
Views
3K
holland389
H
Naf623
Disco 2 Footwell Leak Tracing
Replies
2
Views
1K
Shedload
S
nevillen
Drivers Side Control Module Fixed
Replies
0
Views
1K
nevillen
nevillen
T
Central locking not working on all doors except drivers
Replies
6
Views
2K
Stanleysteamer
Stanleysteamer