Drivers Footwell Flooded!

[Foxeye]

Hi,

 

We have just found another "feature" on our C4 VTR+ 55 Model.

 

Last night wor lass came home saying that the drivers footwell was wet.

 

I asks the obvious questions windows closed etc.

 

On examination, the removable foot mat is dripping wet and when I press down on the fitted carpet about 1 to 2mm of water appears in the floor mat screw fixing holes!! ;)

 

The surrounding carpets are bone drive, as are all the passenger areas.

 

No sign of water running down doors, roof etc.

 

Over the last few weeks we have noticed water dripping from the external plastic tray near the drivers rear wheel if we parked on an incline, we put this down to rain water.

 

Anyone got an idea as how the water can get in?

 

Thanks

 

(Wish we had never bought this car) :(

[Johndouglas]

Have a look at the water level in the coolant reservoir. If it needs to be topped up, then my guess is that the heater matrix has sprung a leak.

 

Does the car have a sunroof?

[kfk]

....OR THE AIR CON IS ON AND INSTEAD OF DRAINING OUT INTO THE ROAD IT HAS STARTED TO TREAT THE CAR AS A BUCKET!

[BigJohnD]

(Wish we had never bought this car) ;)

Your feelings remind me of the supposed reliable Focus we had. After the fourth heated windscreen had been fitted, the leaking stopped. But the smells remained in the carpets after much cleaning as they weren't covered under the "no quibbles" Ford warranty. And we did get rid of it.

 

Back to your C4: a leaking A/C unit is probably the prime suspect. If your car's still under warranty, see the dealer. Otherwise seek out an A/C specialist. No quick fix, sorry.

[kfk]

You could lift the carpet in the drivers foot well to gain access to the air con drain pipe.....removeit from where it exits the floor, and make sure the water can get out...........ohhh.....and till you get it fixed turn the air con off so you dont make it worse!

[Foxeye]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

It has gone in today for them to have a look at, I will let you know. (Hopefully under warranty)

 

I didn't know you could lift the fitted carpets! :P

 

While it's in the garage I asked them to look at the SERVICE light error, it sometimes comes on while you we are using the cruise control and break!

 

The Service light comes on and beeps and won't allow CC to be used again until the car is turned off!

 

Its already been in to have a software update but that didn't seem to work ... maybe I should of wound the windows down waited a few seconds then wound them back up again to reboot the car! ;)

 

Thanks

[Foxeye]

Well they have apparently fixed the Service light error ... something to do with a dodgy break switch faulting the cruise control computer controls?

 

BUT

 

There is no sign of water leakage into the drivers footwell!

 

The A/C is not leaking, they have removed all the soaking carpets and done a water test with the hoses and can see no leaks entering the car!?!?

 

All I can think is that the A/C was blocked and dumped its water into the footwel and then cleared itself before taking it to the garage?

 

Apparently the drain can get clogged sometimes.

 

Fingers crossed it does not do it again.

[BigJohnD]

Well they have apparently fixed the Service light error ... something to do with a dodgy break switch faulting the cruise control computer controls?

A faulty switch on the clutch is quite common. Considering how complicated the system is, with switches, sensors, displays and controls all over the place, it's very reliable and accurate, and I've never heard of an incident where it didn't fail safe.

 

One of the more general problems with today's systems is that the smallest of faults produces warnings which seem dire if not fatal.

[Foxeye]

LAST MINUTE NEWS ..... They have found a leak!!! :lol:

 

It's coming from the heater box? :huh:

 

Its been stripped down for 3 days now and they accidently found a leak, they had the heating running, so have orderd a new one on immediate delivery to repair it tomorrow. :D

 

I have no idea what the heater box is and how it could get water into it and then into the car!? :)

 

Phewww at least the found something!

 

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions.

[BigJohnD]

I have no idea what the heater box is and how it could get water into it and then into the car!? :)

It's a small radiator fed with hot water from the car's cooling system. Air blows through it to heat the interior of the car.

 

Leaks are not unknown, but they usually occur in older cars as a result of deterioration.

 

Sometimes it's just a matter of tightening a joint, which is solely about access, but sometimes a component springs a leak. The major cost of the repair is time, as it can be a long job to access the faulty part, remove and replace it and pressure test the new system.

 

I would have expected your coolant level to be low - did you check it, say weekly?

[kfk]

Its more likely that the drain pipe which comes from the bottom of the heater box for the air con unit is/has been blocked.......consequently the water backs up untill it uses the heater box as a bucket....problem is the heater box leaks if filled with water.

[Foxeye]

Where abouts would it drip from to get into the drivers footwell?

 

I searched the interior of the car and the only wet area was the drivers carpet, all surrounding fixtures and fittings where bone dry!

 

Just incase it happens again then I know where/what to look for.

 

Thanks again. :)

 

Fingers crossed that it is all still within the warranty!

[Foxeye]

Not AGAIN!!!! :unsure:

 

Just been out cleaning the car and the drivers carpet is soaking AGAIN!!

 

The "repair" they didn't obviously didn't work and has eventually leaked enough into the carpet for it to be visable.

 

The warranty has now expired does anyone know if I can claim against a bad repair that was done in Sept 2008 it's nearly a year to the date?

 

This does not look good the Evens Halshaw in Sheffield!!

 

Thanks

[paul.h]

A few questions to help check if the air con heater box drain is blocked without taking any bits apart:

 

1. Have you had the air con on recently. Water condenses on the outside of the cooling matrix (air con evaporator) and collects in the plastic surrounding box between the front footwells but should drain out to the outside of the car, unless the drain is blocked.

2. Does the windscreen steam up a bit.

3. When the air con is on do you get water dripping out under the car from the air con drain (ie from the plastic box which contains the cabin heater matrix and air con cooling matrix).

4. If you put the cabin fan on full speed, set the air flow to the face vents and close all the vents, can you feel a flow of air out of the air con drain point under the car (I do not know where this is but may be somewhere under the front seat area).

5.Was the carpet wet before you cleaned the car.

 

Other possibilities include a coolant leak and rain ingress.

[Foxeye]

WOW thanks for that Paul, it has gone into Evans this morning as I'm hoping its the original fault again (see above) and the guarantee is still valid on the repair.

 

I have a funny feeling that they won't admit to it being their repair that is a fault! :unsure:

 

I will try your recommendations when I get the car back if it is not fixed.

 

Thanks again.

[Foxeye]

Good news for a change! :unsure:

 

The drain from the Air-Con had become detached somewhere behind the dash so they reconnected it for £42.

 

Just need to dry out the carpets now!

[c4owner]

Good news for a change! <_<

 

The drain from the Air-Con had become detached somewhere behind the dash so they reconnected it for £42.

 

Just need to dry out the carpets now!

It's a common problem well documented over at c4owners.org with a 'how to' submitted over a year ago http://c4owners.org/plugins/faq/faq.php?0.cat.2.100

 

£42 could have been saved as it's an easy DIY fix