Heater air intake sucking in water? S40

[Heathyboy]

Hi,

Last Friday I did a 400 mile round trip in some seriously bad rain and got back to find that underneath the driver seat the floor was soaking.

The water was coming through the heater outlets for the rear nearside passenger (under the seat). The dealer has had a look and wants to have the car for a week whilst they strip out the seats and carpets to find if there is a hole letting water in

It seems to me that if the water is coming through the heater system then it must be being sucked through the system. Does anyone here know if the air intake for the heater system is quite low to the ground? My thinking is that it has been sucking in rainwater in the storms we had. I have had the car since Jan 06 (55 plate) and not had problem before - but not had such bad weather either.

I am worried that the dealer will take a week to find that there are no holes and then bill me for a week's labour.

Thanks in advance,

H

Edited by Heathyboy on Saturday 26th August 13:50

[fid]

Heathyboy said:

...I am worried that the dealer will take a week to find that there are no holes and then bill me for a week's labour...

A warranty issue, surely?

[Heathyboy]

Possibly a warranty issue but I am a little concerned that if it is not the air intake it has been caused by a perishable item - may then be classed as fair wear and tear?

Checking it out.

[gilran]

Hullo.
Have you checked the place where the heater takes air in? There might be some rainwater drain got full of leaves/such and got stuck. Then the water surface will get too high and end up flowing over to the heater intake, or flow over and through some hole in the.. mm.. plate(?) between the engine bay and the cockpit.