wet carpets

hi all i have a 1996 lwb 2.8 td frontera over the last couple of weeks when it has rained for long periods (e.g overnight) i have got in it in the morning and thr passenger side footwell has been swimming with water. By swimming i mean absolutely satturated to the extent that i had to remove the plastic trim and the carpet and remove the drain plugs in the floor. I sat in the car and got my father to hold the hosepipe on the car for over half an hour and not a drop came in. If it has rained right through the night and i go and have a look where the water is coming in i can see it dripping down the harness wires where your left foot usually sits above these wires is fan assembly which goes through to the bulk head it seems the water is dripping down this fan or heater assembly. I have tried looking in the bulk head to see if their are any drainage vents but access is very poor. has anyone else had problems like this or can anyone help at all as im pulling my hair out now-thanks

does the water smell of coolant ....if yes ...it's the heater matrix leaking

if no ......the windscreen seal is suspect ..or there are draingae channels under the black bit under the wipers make sure these are free of any obstruction

Just to add a bit here, right behind the heater fan is the large grommet for all the wiring coming through from the engine bay. The heater is hard up against this and is difficult to see. Have a check on it from under the bonnet and maybe put some sealer on it. This came to mind as it only leaks when its raining and the water from under the windscreen area drains off down that way. Worth a look. Also check beside the bonnet hinges.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo ....i'd see where all the tin worms were hiding :shock:

I had a lot of water in my 2.8 Estate earlier in the year...

It turned out to be that I had not correctly refitted the gear lever rubber gaiter and spray from driving in the wet was coming in that way - Remove the gear lever trim piece (the leather look saggy bits) and check the rubber gaiter beneath it.

Other water inlet places I have experience, are:

1. The big grommet on the bulkhead (as described above)
2. Sun roof forward drain channels blocked (although that normally leads to damp seats

Lawrence

thanks for the replys it definately is not water coolant as i have been keeping my eye on the water level. It is nor the gearstick gaitor neither as it fills with water while stationary. When the water drains along the bulkhead is there rubber drainage vents either side or is there just holes to drain the water as you can get access on the drivers side but not on the passenger side.