Wet car mystery - any ideas?

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#2046646 1-Jul-2018 09:28

Rikkitic:

I don't see how water can be trickling down if the carpet it has to travel on is always dry.

It doesn't travel on the carpet... it travels under the carpet.

Rikkitic

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#2046726 1-Jul-2018 11:37

Would it not soak through like it does at the bottom? I have pressed down on it and can't feel a thing.

I just checked the car again after thoroughly drying it yesterday and the carpet is damp once more and the windows are all misty. It was cold last night and the windows are also wet on the outside but that dries as things warm up.The inside doesn't.

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gzt

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#2046729 1-Jul-2018 12:03

Might might not depending on position of carpet and backing.

Goosey

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#2046743 1-Jul-2018 12:32

Maybey water ingress from between the top of windsheild or simply getting into the top of the doors, going down the seals and then exiting through the hinges then down into the foot well.

You could dye test it.

what does google say for your make and model when you search water leaks.

Rikkitic

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#2046744 1-Jul-2018 12:38

I have decided to consult my mechanic. After hearing what he has to say, I will decide what to do next. Hopefully that will help clarify things.

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kryptonjohn

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#2046748 1-Jul-2018 12:45

When my Subaru was getting wet carpet it smelled of anti freeze. The heater radiator was shot. I bypassed it with a u bend on the engine side of the firewall. Was a bugger in the winter as not only was the car cold, it just wouldn't demist the windows.

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elpenguino

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#2046749 1-Jul-2018 12:46

frankv:

Rikkitic:

I don't see how water can be trickling down if the carpet it has to travel on is always dry.

It doesn't travel on the carpet... it travels under the carpet.

The backing material is kind of non-absorbent harder material so until the water is deep enough to pool you won't know there's a little under the carpet.

I had an old mitsi with rust around the back window seal and because I parked on a slope (facing forwards) the water trickled through the boot, under the rear seat and pooled in the passenger footwell.

The back seat carpet was dry but a wet trail underneath it was visible when the carpet was revealed.

Like life and dinosaurs, water always finds a way.

I like the suggestion of parking under cover for a while - perhaps a tarp if you have no buildings?

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

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#2046780 1-Jul-2018 14:04

Many moons ago I purchased a new Mitsubishi Diamante, from memory I believe it was circa 2005, it was the first and last Mitsubishi I owned. It leaked constantly form new. I had the front door seals replaced numerous times. The doors were not full framed so the seals would only work for a short time with sun light being a real issue for them. The build quality was terrible and I believe if you tried to fill the cabin with water you would never achieve a full cabin.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Rikkitic

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#2046834 1-Jul-2018 14:56

I also had an earlier Mitsubishi and I am aware of the problems with build quality. However, the problem with my current vehicle only just started a couple of weeks ago. I have had it for three years and it has never given me any trouble at all. This may be because it is an Australian-built model. I don't know, but until now it has been a perfect car. The issue with the water is weird. There has to be a supply of it somewhere, but I can't find it, other than the wet floor. I have dried that but every morning the windows are still dripping on the inside. I have never seen anything like it. I hope my mechanic can at least shed some light. I don't have shelter for it but I have put it under the car cover because it is supposed to rain and I don't want to make the problem worse.

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Rickles

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#2046879 1-Jul-2018 16:42

Is the car fitted with a roof rack of any kind? They are notorious for looking fine but allowing water in at alarming rates.

Might also pay to get the underside pan checked as any water pooled in there would give an effect for weeks even after rain.

I'd be tempted to garage it for a week to see what happens each day thereafter.

mdooher

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#2046933 1-Jul-2018 18:02

Windscreen would be culprit number 1, the fix: get a stone chip and have it replaced (still got free windscreen cover?)

sunroof drain blocked culprit number 2, the fix: one of those long plumbers spring unblocking thingies

blocked drain under wipers, culprit number 3, the fix, remove the mud blocking the drain flap.

To be honest every time I have seen an unfindable leak it has been the screen...but you never know

Matthew

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Rikkitic

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#2046966 1-Jul-2018 18:14

No sunroof or other holes in the roof so that can be ruled out. Windscreen maybe though no obvious sign of that. Blocked drain seems most likely, especially as the space was filled with soggy leaves after big blow and lots of rain. I cleared out what I could but don't know if something is jammed further down. But I still don't see anything obvious. I hope my mechanic can figure it out.

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jaymz

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#2047277 2-Jul-2018 10:31

Water leaks can be awesomely hard to find the source.

I have a 1996 Holden Commodore and there would be water in the boot after heavy rain. Turns out the seal around the rear quarter windows failed, letting water pool around the bolt holding the window in, water would then wick down the seam, and back into the boot.

The best way to find a leak like that is to pull off every panel in the front passengers foot well, and the carpet. Get someone on the inside with a torch and someone on the outside with a hose. Get the person with the hose to start low down on the car, pouring water on all the seams and then work your way upwards until the person inside sees water running in.

Best case is a rubber grommet has come loose (like it did in my Pajero), worse case is there is a rust hole under the dash (not visible from the outside)

Good luck!

MikeB4

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#2047282 2-Jul-2018 10:41

@Rikkitic don't just look for water coming in and moving down to the floor of the car, consider capillary action and look for it coming up from below.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Rikkitic

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#2047309 2-Jul-2018 11:01

I have put it in the hands of my mechanic. I am taking the car in Thursday. I have also put a cover on it to keep the weather out. Don't know yet if that helps.

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