R56 water in footwell

R56 water in footwell

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21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,897 posts

216 months

Friday 22nd December 2023
quotequote all
I know this has various causes and solutions on the web and yes I have used google extensively.

Water appears after rain whether the car is used or not.

Just wondered if anyone had found anything else to be the cause.

So far... removed all covers/aprons/cowls etc under the windscreen, even the screen trim along the bottom. Cleaned properly and replaced althought the seals around the edges of the aprons etc are almost non existent. Sealed up any suspect covers with weatherproof tape

Checked the aircon and heater pipes under the dash/console, no leaks.

Removed, cleaned and replaced all door seals and while i was at it replaced the covers on the A pillars so they are nice and shiny which kept the Mrs happy.

Cleaned out the battery compartment, this drains fully, no blockages anywhere.

Only obvious thing is the bloody great hole behind the battery into the airbox for the heater. The rubber around this hole is not damaged or anything, just a great big hole in the firewall.

Everything looks to be seated fine.

When I pull back the carpet in the foot well the foam backed rubber sheet that goes from half way up to the top of the well (where you cant see) is soaked as is the carpet, I vaxed out best part of a couple of litres over two days until it was as dry as possible. One night of rain, soaked again. Absolutely no other signs of water ingress anywhere.

In frustration I have ordered a new battery cover and nearside apron but thats a couple of weeks of delivery.

Any other suggestions?


Edited by 21TonyK on Friday 22 December 14:34

Wicker Man

824 posts

250 months

Friday 22nd December 2023
quotequote all
Not on R56 but I did have wet carpets once that defied numerous garage attempts to fix. Turned out to be the drain apertures on the underside of the sill seam were blocked with mud. When I eventually pushed a stick through, about a gallon of water came out!
Anoyingly, this was listed in the service schedule but despite FSH had been neglected! 🤬

21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,897 posts

216 months

Friday 22nd December 2023
quotequote all
Not a silly suggestion, I will check this in the morning.

cliffords

1,823 posts

30 months

Friday 22nd December 2023
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I also had a car where there were rubber plugs in the floor pan and one had perished and become soft allowing water in .

DarkMatter

1,477 posts

238 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
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On our F56 Cooper Hatch it was a blocked air-con condensate drain that was blocked/squashed which flooded drivers side floor.

CoolHands

19,451 posts

202 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
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Does it have the panoramic roof

Glassman

23,119 posts

222 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
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Has the windscreen been replaced?

21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,897 posts

216 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
quotequote all
No panoramic roof but the windscreen may have been replaced. The black sealant around the edges doesnt look "factory neat" but if it is a replacement it was some time ago with a previous owner. This leak has appeared over the past year.

Checked the sills, a jacking rubber is missing but the holes are clear and the water appears after rain even if the car is unused so I can only assume its come from above?

Glassman

23,119 posts

222 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
quotequote all
21TonyK said:
No panoramic roof but the windscreen may have been replaced. The black sealant around the edges doesnt look "factory neat" but if it is a replacement it was some time ago with a previous owner. This leak has appeared over the past year.

Checked the sills, a jacking rubber is missing but the holes are clear and the water appears after rain even if the car is unused so I can only assume its come from above?
The most common place for a replaced windscreen to leak from is usually above the mirror (where the installer would have butted the join in the adhesive). Sometimes it's where the windscreen was not prepared properly and contaminants have attacked the bond over time.

Tape over the black trim with insulation tape (rood side and glass side) and carry out a water test.



21TonyK

Original Poster:

11,897 posts

216 months

Saturday 23rd December 2023
quotequote all
Glassman said:
The most common place for a replaced windscreen to leak from is usually above the mirror (where the installer would have butted the join in the adhesive). Sometimes it's where the windscreen was not prepared properly and contaminants have attacked the bond over time.

Tape over the black trim with insulation tape (rood side and glass side) and carry out a water test.
Cheers

I am working or away for a while now but will make a point of trying this when we get a coulpe of dry days

Theres no sign anywhere inside the car of water ingress other than in the footwell itself. I may try covering the car with a tarp and just leaving the bottom of the screen from the wipers down visible as well. Then give it a good hosing!