Water In Footwell, Sunroof Guilty?

[rinkydinkydo]

I've had quite a lot of water in the driver's footwell over the rainy weather we've had. I noticed there was moisture in the trim just above my head over the door so I assume water may have been coming in through the sunroof. I cleaned the sunroof seal which was dirty but I can't see any problems with other seals around the door, also the sunroof seal doesn't look to be that water tight to me anyway. Since I did this it has hardly rained to see if it is still leaking (typical!).

 

I noticed there are some drainage channels from the sunroof that go down the door pillars. I wonder if these have got clogged up with dirt and the water was overflowing? Anyone know how to clean these channels out?

It's an 02 2.2 HDi SE.

[Randombloke]

I noticed there are some drainage channels from the sunroof that go down the door pillars. I wonder if these have got clogged up with dirt and the water was overflowing? Anyone know how to clean these channels out?

It's an 02 2.2 HDi SE.

 

Blow them out with compressed air? Use the tyre pump at a petrol station?

[rinkydinkydo]

Yes I sort of thought about that but I just wondered where all the muck may blow to! i.e. inside the car?

[myglaren]

It should run down a drain inside the door or windscreen pillars and exit underneath the car.

 

You may need to probe it out with piano wire as it could have become quite securly lodged and there is a long way for it to go. Try and get a little plastic cap for the piano wire as you could well penetrate the tubing with it and make matters much worse.

[rinkydinkydo]

Thanks for the tip. So far the footwell has kept dry but I suppose we haven't had as much rain recently as before. Hopefully cleaning the sunroof seal has fixed it.

[myglaren]

Be wary. My brother had a similar problem but only discovered it as he was setting off for a wedding in his best togs. As he drove out of his driveway and the car tilted backwards he and his wife were treated to a deluge that soaked them through and involved a complete change of clothing for both of them.

Disaster always strikes at the worst possible moment

[MikeLane]

Don't know whether I'm too late to get an answer but, after all the rain I have water in the footwells. I tried rodding the tube via the sunroof and think I must have dislodged the tube. (Tried again on driver's side(stupidly) to see how far the curtain wire should travel and now that footwell is full of water as well!)

It now seems I'll have to remove the head lining to drop the sunroof so the tubes can be re-connected.

Had a look but can't find where or how to start unfixing the head lining!

Any ideas Please???

Edited February 22, 2014 by MikeLane

[paul.h]

The Haynes manual says to remove the headlining all the fittings such as grab handles and sunroof need to be removed first and that it is stuck to the roof with double sided tape.

 

Once you get access to the pipes try blowing down them in case they are blocked.

 

If you had a mark 1 C5 these are known for water in the driver's footwell due to a design fault which lets rain collect in the cabin air intake and run down the inside of the bulkhead. This can be sorted if anyone has this problem.

[MikeLane]

Thanks Paul - it's the face-lift C5 (2005). When the sun comes out again I'll have a go! Meanwhile the (free) Telegraphs (from Waitrose), under the mats, are doing a grand job!

 

(Don't know whether I'm daft but everytime I drive this car I think "This is a really nice car!")