WATER in PASSENGER foot well

[ADIKT]

Went for a trip last weekend -

Mrs noticed her feet were wet!

DEFINITELY WATER. NOT coolant.

Found this -

 

Yes, the mysterious water swooshing noise in the dashboard when turning, and/or water leaking under the dash at the passenger side, as well as possibly the heater fan sounding like it\'s spitting water…there can be only one explanation and this is IT.

First, let me assure you that all manner of answers from mechanics have been researched and considered, but so far no one has yet answered this satisfactorily in any forum I have come across. Usually it is something along the lines of "coolant leak", evaporator core issues, etc etc but these fellows are missing the vital point…it is WATER not some exotic liquid cocktail usually associated with serious and expensive vehicle problems.

I own a 1996 Mercury Villager / Nissan Quest which developed this problem after a heavy rainfall. Coincidence? NO WAY!

I had the proverbial water leak beneath the passenger side dash, as well as what sounded like a bathtub full of water behind my dash swooshing back and forth.

So here\'s the deal. These vehicles, like many others have a reservoir above the firewall just beneath the plastic cover at the base of the windshield, which also houses the wiper motor, etc. typically the reservoir collects any water running from the windshield or rain in general. There are two drains one at the drivers side and one at the passenger side. These drains usually work great except when they become plugged with silt, debris from trees shedding leaves, insect matter etc. When this happens, the water simply collects and fills the reservoir with nowhere to go except into the fresh air intake for the cabin heating/cooling system located just above the passenger side glove compartment.

The water then leaks into the venting ducts and onto the floor. It also stays in the reservoir and sloshes back and forth while driving.

Any mechanic worth his salt should be able to figure this out and charge you ½ hr labor to remove the plastic shroud and unplug the drains. That\'s pretty much the extent of it. I did it myself and it took about 20 minutes.

Would I be correct in assuming this is my problem?

Any one had this problem?

Where do I find these so called drains?

Constructive input will be much appreciated

Cheers ADIKT

[Swindog]

How damp is it?

Ive had my drivers side in my blue wrx quite wet before. Took me a couple times to realise it was the side window (drivers window) where the mirror joins. Was leaking in there on the prevailing winds when the car was outside in the drive.

The subarus dont have tanks in that area and the windscreen drains drain to either side behind the front fenders. So unless its leaking in through a fire wall bung I cant see how its getting in.

Have you checked your bung holes (no pun intended)

[ADIKT]

Like a little puddle sitting on top of the rubber foot mats.

This was the first time I\'ve noticed it.

Will have a good look at it when the Mrs gets home from work (she drives it to work - I walk)

Cheers for the reply swindoG

[Swindog]

Another question. Is it condensating from the air con vent.

[ADIKT]

 Swindog said:

Another question. Is it condensating from the air con vent.

I have no idea.

Have just found this - Claiming the A/C drain gets blocked. Rather common it seems.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/09-forester-wet-floor-front-passenger-area-81565/

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/water-dripping-passenger-floor-66193.html?s=dc39fbe2e376a5622012ddd0fd40c75e&

[subout]

dry it off, pull carpet back and sprinkle floor with baby powder. the water will leave a line from direction it is coming from

[DRFVDR]

Ac drain blocked, can almost guarantee it I get it all the time in the Toyotas I work on

[ADIKT]

 We are borg said:

Ac drain blocked, can almost guarantee it I get it all the time in the Toyotas I work on

Yea that\'s what im thinking. We did have the air con on when we noticed the water. So kinda makes sense.

Ill have a looksee tonight.

Any know the easiest way to unblock the a/c drain?

[boon]

What car is it? On my old man\'s very old Legacy there was a rubber hose on the right hand side of the footwell (by the center console) that the AC would drain through. It\'s very easy to knock off the fitting above it.

[RAYDEO]

Nothing to add, but great topic, I\'ll be very interested to see what the final answer is.

[ADIKT]

Car is a 2004 bl5 legacy non turbo.

Had a look at lunch. Can see what I think is the A/C drain. Its more \'under\' the car by the tranny than on the firewall (passenger side).

Just a piece of rubber hose aiming down connected to nothing.

Will jack it up tomorrow and see if I can investigate further. Ill try remember to take pics too

[kiwisurf]

Poke a bit of wire up it....(coat hanger or welding wire). And you can also VERY gently blow up it with compressed air.

[DRFVDR]

Go into passenger footwell, where the drain hose goes thru the floor, unplug from bottom of heater housing, water may or may not piss out, if it does then hose blocked, if it does not then poke wire up the fitting and then water will piss out, maybe a lot of water ( litre or so)

[94 Leone]

I haven\'t had the water issue as my car hasn\'t been running much; but I now realise what that fucking annoying sound was.