water ingress into drivers footwell

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
I've got a problem with rain water pooling in my front drivers side footwell.

I've had a search on the forums and ruled a couple of things out, but left the car with the carpets up overnight and come back to a puddle 1.5cm deep thismorning.

It's raining now and I want to try and get the leak sorted because I need the car by tonight and don't want to put the carpets back as its not due to stop raining at any point today, so any pointers would be great before I start ripping the car apart.

After pulling some trim off and using a boroscope, I can see the water is coming from the far front right hand side of the car, infront of the drivers door.

I've ruled out the common issue of the door speaker.
I've looked where the door hinges connect to the car, but the whole area looks dry from the outside and I can't see any cracks or loose bolts etc.
I've checked inside the windscreen by putting some paper towel as far forward as possible to check if the seal has gone, but its all dry from above the dash.
I've shone a torch down the drain hole under the windscreen wipers and it doesnt look blocked (it actually looks fairly dry, which is surprising with the rain we've had)

Does anyone have any pointers before I start trying to rip the dash out in the rain?

** update **
I've found where water is entering the cabin.
I've removed the storage box from below the lighting controls (where the right knee of the driver would be) and these photos were taken through that gap.

If I was to seal this, water would just find another way in, so I don't really know where to go from here
 

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Last edited:

Wilto

Active Member
Mar 5, 2021
128
58
57
South Wales
If that is a split you've circled I would be very tempted to just smother the area with some silicone, just to get you out of a hole, and when the spring/summer comes I would investigate further if it doesn't work.
Maybe when it's dryer get a watering can and add some sort of dye to the water and try and find the ingress.
 

oldglosracer

Active Member
Oct 27, 2022
95
34
Is that near the bonnet hinges maybe?

Be worth removing the windscreen scuttle trim and seeing that area from above.
 

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
If that is a split you've circled I would be very tempted to just smother the area with some silicone, just to get you out of a hole, and when the spring/summer comes I would investigate further if it doesn't work.
Maybe when it's dryer get a watering can and add some sort of dye to the water and try and find the ingress.
Thanks for the reply, I was getting all the stuff together to give it a quick clean and silicone the area, but when I got to it, there was a constant stream of water coming from the area, so I don't think the sealant will stick until I've stopped the leak.
Ive pumped the puddle out again and measured over 1/2 a litre in less than 24 hrs 😲

I've come to a similar conclusion to @oldglosracer where I need to remove the scuttle tray to get a good look at what's going on. Unfortunately I can't get the wiper blades off by hand, so I've ordered a wiper puller which I'll be collecting tomorrow, so i can remove the tray. Hopefully there's a big, obvious, easy to get to hole which I can just slobber some sealant round and be done with it 🤞

I'll update if I find anything and hopefully it will help someone else out in the future if they have the same problem
 

Wilto

Active Member
Mar 5, 2021
128
58
57
South Wales
I must have jinks myself, I was looking for something under the driver seat last night, and low and behold my driver's side front and rear foot wells a soaking wet.

It's been parked outside my house for most of the Christmas period, and my street is on a slight downhill slope, so I'm wondering is it coming from the back to front.

So the quest, for the source of the pond continues.
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,312
575
Thanks for the reply, I was getting all the stuff together to give it a quick clean and silicone the area, but when I got to it, there was a constant stream of water coming from the area, so I don't think the sealant will stick until I've stopped the leak.
Ive pumped the puddle out again and measured over 1/2 a litre in less than 24 hrs 😲

I've come to a similar conclusion to @oldglosracer where I need to remove the scuttle tray to get a good look at what's going on. Unfortunately I can't get the wiper blades off by hand, so I've ordered a wiper puller which I'll be collecting tomorrow, so i can remove the tray. Hopefully there's a big, obvious, easy to get to hole which I can just slobber some sealant round and be done with it 🤞

I'll update if I find anything and hopefully it will help someone else out in the future if they have the same problem
Could it be the windscreen leaking? Is the windscreen genuine?
I know the Landrover Evoque has a common problem (as do some other OEM's) of a leaking genuine windscreens so I guess even a genuine Seat screen 'could' leak? though doesn't seem common.
 

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
I must have jinks myself, I was looking for something under the driver seat last night, and low and behold my driver's side front and rear foot wells a soaking wet.

It's been parked outside my house for most of the Christmas period, and my street is on a slight downhill slope, so I'm wondering is it coming from the back to front.

So the quest, for the source of the pond continues.
That's annoying! That's exactly what was happening to me originally, it was all pooling in the rear.
I THINK I've found and fixed it now. It seems to be a rivet causing the problem under the scuttle panel.

I'll try and write up a guide if I get a chance, if anyone else has the same problem
 
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mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
Could it be the windscreen leaking? Is the windscreen genuine?
I know the Landrover Evoque has a common problem (as do some other OEM's) of a leaking genuine windscreens so I guess even a genuine Seat screen 'could' leak? though doesn't seem common.
Thanks, I've heard this can be a problem with some replacement windscreens. Thanks for the suggestion
 

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
Once it finally stopped raining, I was able to find roughly where it was leaking by aiming a hose at specific parts of the car, starting as low as I could get and working my way up.
This led me to the area directly under the wipers, and under the scuttle tray, where there is a large drain hole.

Next to this drain hole, there is a rivet, which is where I believe the water is coming in from.

To get access to the rivet, I had to get under the bonnet and remove the rubber seal on the scuttle tray

1672940520698.png



Then lift up the foam piece at the side

1672940575567.png



Under the foam, there is a plastic clip, which I removed with a specialised trim removal tool, but I'm sure this could also be done with a flat headed screwdriver.

1672940599969.png



There are then a further three other clips along the length of the scuttle tray which can be removed by hand, or with a flat headed screwdriver if they're stuck.

1672940629822.png


After that, it was just a simple case of cleaning off the rivet and smothering it in Flomasta external leak sealant that I got from Screwfix. This stuff can be applied to we surfaces as well as dry, which makes it ideal for sealing leaks in the winter.

1672940692295.png


I did a quick test and it doesn't seem to be leaking anymore, but the next rainfall will be the real test. Wish me luck, and I hope this helps somebody else out in the future, because with all the research I've done into this, I haven't seen anyone that's suggested this as a potential issue.
 
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Walone

Active Member
Feb 10, 2016
1,533
418
Near Heathrow
Once it finally stopped raining, I was able to find roughly where it was leaking by aiming a hose at specific parts of the car, starting as low as I could get and working my way up.
This led me to the area directly under the wipers, and under the scuttle tray, where there is a large drain hole.

Next to this drain hole, there is a rivet, which is where I believe the water is coming in from.

To get access to the rivet, I had to get under the bonnet and remove the rubber seal on the scuttle tray

View attachment 35032


Then lift up the foam piece at the side

View attachment 35033


Under the foam, there is a plastic clip, which I removed with a specialised trim removal tool, but I'm sure this could also be done with a flat headed screwdriver.

View attachment 35034


There are then a further three other clips along the length of the scuttle tray which can be removed by hand, or with a flat headed screwdriver if they're stuck.

View attachment 35035

After that, it was just a simple case of cleaning off the rivet and smothering it in Flomasta external leak sealant that I got from Screwfix. This stuff can be applied to we surfaces as well as dry, which makes it ideal for sealing leaks in the winter.

View attachment 35036

I did a quick test and it doesn't seem to be leaking anymore, but the next rainfall will be the real test. Wish me luck, and I hope this helps somebody else out in the future, because with all the research I've done into this, I haven't seen anyone that's suggested this as a potential issue.
Excellent, thanks for the write up!
 

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
Ignore the above, I was getting ahead of myself.

It rained.
It leaked.

Back to the hose pipe tomorrow 😂
 

Wilto

Active Member
Mar 5, 2021
128
58
57
South Wales
Ignore the above, I was getting ahead of myself.

It rained.
It leaked.

Back to the hose pipe tomorrow 😂
Oh nooooo unlucky buddy, I was getting all excited then.
I'm just waiting for the right weather, and some spare time (12 hour regular night shifts) I'm watching your efforts in anticipation 😉
 

DigitalSushi

Active Member
Sep 7, 2020
145
66
Bit of a leftfield suggestion if you can get hold of one.

I used a smoke machine to find out where one of my doors was leaking. basically shut everything and set the machine off in the car. Make sure you are in a fairly dark place with a torch so you can see the smoke exiting with the torch beam.

Fortunately I know a "Ray Von" and he lent it me for the day. Saved me hours of searching for a tiny seal leak at the side of one of my windows, i would never in a million years have seen it with my eyes. I could barely see it even when the smoke was coming out.

I feel your pain though, and for the love of god do not put your carpets back in, once that water goes stagnant in the sound deadening foam it will smell like the devils arsehole forever.
 

mealexme

Active Member
Jun 10, 2019
27
7
Bit of a leftfield suggestion if you can get hold of one.

I used a smoke machine to find out where one of my doors was leaking. basically shut everything and set the machine off in the car. Make sure you are in a fairly dark place with a torch so you can see the smoke exiting with the torch beam.

Fortunately I know a "Ray Von" and he lent it me for the day. Saved me hours of searching for a tiny seal leak at the side of one of my windows, i would never in a million years have seen it with my eyes. I could barely see it even when the smoke was coming out.

I feel your pain though, and for the love of god do not put your carpets back in, once that water goes stagnant in the sound deadening foam it will smell like the devils arsehole forever.
I don't have access unfortunately.
I've tried one last ditch effort to seal the area underneath the drain hole under the scuttle tray. Someone on the golfmk7 pages seemed to have a similar leak, so it's worth a shot https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/water-leak-in-passenger-footwell.370645/page-3
I've done what's suggested in post #33, but I doubt it will help because neither side has seam sealer there but only one side is leaking, but we'll see.

If not, it looks like it's off to the dealer, because even though I hate their over inflated prices, they do deal with these cars day in day out, so will know its weak points before they even set eyes on it.
 

Leonardo

Active Member
Nov 29, 2022
15
12
Think I 'might' have the same issue and solution:


Not 100% but will let you know either way.
 

Steve J

Active Member
May 26, 2019
134
27
Had the exact same issue on my 2018 Leon. Really really really long story but this area cracked and resulted in after three months of the car with Seat Basingstoke the car being written off by Seat. Southampton body shop refused to wield it back together which given it was under manufacturers warranty I wouldn't of been happy with them wielding it as I paid for a brand new car. Glad yours wasn't as far gone as mine was!

This was a while ago by the way as I'm mentioning a 2018 vehicle.
 
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DigitalSushi

Active Member
Sep 7, 2020
145
66
Had the exact same issue on my 2018 Leon. Really really really long story but this area cracked and resulted in after three months of the car with Seat Basingstoke the car being written off by Seat. Southampton body shop refused to wield it back together which given it was under manufacturers warranty I wouldn't of been happy with them wielding it as I paid for a brand new car. Glad yours wasn't as far gone as mine was!

This was a while ago by the way as I'm mentioning a 2018 vehicle.

Could you elaborate on where the car cracked? sounds like a potentially scary timebomb that i would like to have a look in mine to make sure isn't happening without realising.

Was it somewhere that can be checked by eye?
 

Steve J

Active Member
May 26, 2019
134
27
Could you elaborate on where the car cracked? sounds like a potentially scary timebomb that i would like to have a look in mine to make sure isn't happening without realising.

Was it somewhere that can be checked by eye?

Mine cracked alongside the inner wall. They put silicone over it / sealer which I was not happy with at all. And needless to say after a few weeks of driving the crack got worse and water leaked back in again, after them having it all Christmas break replacing all the carpet and underlay with brand new ones because they were so ruined from the months of water.

The silver image is my car which is what Seat Basingstoke did as per directions from VW Technical. The red car image is another person on Facebook who had the identical issue and crack forming that my car did. Both were 18 plates. I haven't yet found this issue on a non 18 plate.

I now have a 67 plate Cupra and haven't had this issue yet now with more miles. I believe it only affects 18 plates, unless yours is different? It is not a good issue though it will get worse. Seat wrote my silver one off and compensated me towards my now Cupra.

Hope this helps.
 

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