Water in rear right footwell

[David Leslie]

My DS3 developed a leak last November, as a result of which the carpet under and behind the driver's seat became sodden. I first noticed this when I discovered that the water has soaked into my briefcase which I used to put behind the drivers sear, my notebook was sopping wet.

I discussed this with my Citroen dealer in April (the next service date), the underlying issue being that the car had just passed 3 years anniversary in August last year, so the car is out of warranty. The dealer said that diagnosing the issue would cost over £350 and would take 3 days. I then procrastinated (lived in hope that the problem might cure itself) - as you know we have had a nice hot summer so it was not much of a problem as it is not a big leak, I would guess about three or four tablespoons full each time it rains (but accumulates in winter as no evaporation). I did my best to come to understand under what circumstances the car leaked, and have come to the conclusion that it is a rainwater leak that occurs even when the car is not being driven, but I haven't been able to identify where the water is coming from. I have used the internet to research in general what causes leaks in cars, it turns out to be quite a complex subject, as the leak may not be that close to the puddle, water gravitates down to the lowest point. I recommend the Youtube video of 'The car guy' on the subject. I have already read and absorbed this post from the ds3 club http://mybrennan.co.uk/irs/IR_Water_spare_well.pdf but I don't think it's relevent as the water is not going into the boot.

The leak is not massive, but lack of evaporation in winter means that the water gradually pools and spreads in the winter months, so this is not something I can afford to leave for next winter, as it will lead to mildew in the carpet and rust in the footwell.

So the car is now with the dealer, who has taken front seat and carpets out, and is trying to find the source of the leak using hose pipes. So far three days ...

I will let you know how this progresses, my main aim is to let all DS3 community know that this can happen, and to help anyone else once we have worked out why and how this has happened. Any advice appreciated.

Dave

[Chris_Blue]

Good Luck David- Epic first post, hope all gets resolved
Welcome to the Club

[lfcrule1972]

Ok I thought this sounded familiar, after a quick search I found this post - http://www.ds3club.co.uk/showthread....water+footwell

Hopefully this might help ?

[Bigfeet]

The other possibility is that the scuttle drain at the front of the car is blocked, very common this time if year because of the falling leaves.

[David Leslie]

Current Position (Day 4)

I went to meet the mechanic working on the car this evening - he is thinking along the lines of 'suggested by 'That Dealer Bloke (Bigfeet)'.

Just to mention that there was actually far more water down there than I realised, and as the carpet all the way up below the peddles is wet in the foam.

The water seemed to be flowing along the joint where the body meets the floor panel on the right hand edge of the car, until it pools at the lowest part of the car (under the driver).

The mechanic had also dismantled the plastic bits below the windscreen - there are two drains there on the right hand side. The upper drain takes the flow from the windscreen down to the wheel arch. The lower one is (I think) intended as a measure just in case there is any overflow, it was this bottom one which was blocked by leaves. A clip which was meant to hold the plastic tray in place is missing, and maybe this allowed leaves to get in, which blocked up the drain. Finally there is some sealant at the top edge of the seam right there which does not carry on down to the lowest point of the joint between this metal tray and the car, and this is where the mechanic found standing water.

So the plan is to seal the joint, dry the carpet, clear the leaves (of course) and then re-test. I will let you know how it goes. Now up to £450 for this labour ...

[Chris_Blue]

Decent post David- you going to try claim costs back, or put it down to experience?

[Owd git]

Captain Tolley's sealant is revered in caravan and motorhome circles

Never used it myself but could be worth a try if the sealing looks dodgy

[David Leslie]

Yes - if you look closely at the second picture, you can see a 'squeeze' of white sealant going down the seam to the left - just behind where it says 'Primary Drain'. For some reason this does not go all the way down along the seam, I would be interested to know if it ought to ?

[David Leslie]

Not sure until we finish, Chris. I need to be satisfied that what we think really does solve the problem. If it is nothing I have triggered in any way - then Citroen should maybe help out, so I will write to them (they should bear in mind that I am a fan of the DS3, and also a very long time Citroen owner - my first was a 2CV !)

Now that we are closer to the answer, perhaps the labour bill could have been less if we had gone straight to investigating the drains, though the carpets would never have dried out without squeezing out and exposing the foam backing which acts as a sponge, so maybe not.

[David Leslie]

Well, believe it or not, the car is still at Masters Citroen (my local dealer).

After clearing and sealing the drains, testing showed water was still getting into the car. The garage then took more of the interior carpeting out (below the foot pedals), before finally remembering that I had mentioned a knock at the rear when I brought the car in (I reversed into a lamp post in 2012). When they looked at the rear light fitting, it became apparent that this had been leaking for some time, as there was corrosion on the light bulbs, and also corrosion on the electrical connection. I will put up a new photo, but it turns out the only thing that stops water coming into the car from the rear light fitting is a 5-mm layer of foam around the fitting that squeezes down onto the car body around the wire connection channel. So the new theory is that the knock may have distorted the rear just enough to allow water in. I'm not entirely convinced, but to be frank if the issue 'goes away'; I will buy into the theory.

So I am currently facing a £500 bill. My view is that the dealer was not very scientific; they should have first tackled the possibility that the knock on the rear may have caused an issue and tested this before disassembling: both front seats, the gear leaver and handbrake, all the carpets, the sump and drains around the windscreen.

I also currently think the design of the fitting is not brilliant; there is nothing visible which would let you know that water could be getting in this way. Also we have yet to see whether this will finally resolve the problem, I will let you know ...

[iceward]

I had a similar problem in a 06 plate Ford Focus I owned. It was caused by a common problem with the pollen filter seal. The filter is changed at service and if not sealed correctly water simply runs down the windscreen into the filter housing, through the filter, the bulkhead and then into the passenger footwell.

[XanderCage13]

Just noticed my rear right foot-well is absolutely soaked. I did leave my window open about 1/5 an inch the other day when it lashed it down. But the wetness of the foot-well compared to the wetness of the seat is rather different. As in the seat is fine, but the foot-well is like the M25 the other day.

Ived used a wooly mammoth on it, and it absorbed it straight away, but its still soaking. I peeled back part of the carpet which shows this...


So all the foam is soaking. I'll use what towels I have to soak it up, but I don't have anywhere to park it so I can place fans etc to help dry it.

Anyone got any "out the box" ideas on how to help it dry?

[Markymark]

Try a dehumidifier if you can safely put 1 in along with power to run it

[XanderCage13]

That's an idea. Unfortunately I can't afford one at this moment.

What about if I put salt on the carpet? To draw up the moisture and then hoover over it - or would that wreck the carpet?

[mk2k41]

The problem with that mate is salt water is very corrosive and could cause corrosion to your floor.