Interior Leak

[Oneball]

Still waiting for the seals. But insulation and carpets have dried and put them back in. Ashtray looks better.



Removed this little lot from under the back seat, hopefully it’ll cure the tinkling sound, which is why I had the seat out in the first place.

 

[conaero]

If water is not evident from rain or pressure washing it is most likely to be thrown up from the rear wheels during wet driving.

 

[Oneball]

No leaks from rain. But when I used the hose pipe the fuel filler cap leaked. Which would explain the dampness. The only thing that’s confusing me a little is the parcel shelf wasn’t wet to start with but was when I used the hose.

I’m going to seal the two cable grommets in the seat base just in case it is what you say.

 

[Oneball]

New rubber on the fuel catch, sealed the filler neck with some Rolls Royce blue and seam sealed the cable grommets in the rear seat area and now all back together. Fingers crossed.

 

[Oneball]

Well, been for a drive today and it’s still leaking. Front passenger footwell is wet on the left side. Looks like it’s around the a pillar but it’s not wet around inside the panel. Tried spraying it and the wheel arch and can’t get a leak. Water looks dirty so I’d say it’s off the road.

 

[dgmx5]

It was suggested earlier but time to hire a theatrical smoke machine or similar and place inside the cabin and see where it's escaping the car.

 

[Rex B]

l think there are drain points either side of the bulkhead beneath the bonnet accessed by removing the wipers and plastic cover. If these get blocked water can't drain away and will seep through the seems into the car. Other than that it could be the windscreen seal, or the AV drain or perhaps heater core.

Regards
Rex B

 

[Oneball]

Thanks both, might look into a smoke machine if I can’t find a leak tomorrow

It’s not the ac drain, the blower or the heater matrix as those areas are dry. I’ve previously had the scuttle trim off and it’s clear of leaves. Pouring water onto the plastic cover doesn’t cause a leak and it flows out of the drain behind the wheel arch liner.

I might pull the wheel arch liner tomorrow for a closer look.

 

[Oneball]

Wheel arch liner out and I can’t get any water into the cabin from anywhere. Maybe it’s only coming through at speed.



And it needs a new track rod end on the LHS. One day this car is going to be fully functional at which point I’ll probably sell it and buy a Porsche!

 

[MarkMas]

Call that a leak? Nah, mate, this is a leak:

 

[CatmanV2]

Sure it's not the windscreen seal?

C

 

[Oneball]

Sure it's not the windscreen seal?

C

No I’m not and in my mind that’s the nightmare scenario.

The thing is it’s only the bottom inch of the insulation on the a-pillar/rear of the wing that’s wet. There’s no sign of damp any further up.

 

[CatmanV2]

No I’m not and in my mind that’s the nightmare scenario.

The thing is it’s only the bottom inch of the insulation on the a-pillar/rear of the wing that’s wet. There’s no sign of damp any further up.

Not up the firewall? Tried the talcum powder trick?

C

 

[Oneball]

The insulation on the fire wall I dry as a bone.

I haven’t yet because I can’t get any water to come in, let alone find where it’s coming from, except yesterday when I was driving in the rain.

 

[CatmanV2]

Very odd

C

 

[TimR]

Talc it, then drive in the rain...!?

 

[Oneball]

Talc it, then drive in the rain...!?

Just waiting for it to rain.

 

[Oneball]

Well it’s not rained today and in lieu of a better idea I’ve sealed the grommet in the end of the sill as it does lead directly to a small hole into the front left footwell.

 

[BuckRog64]

I've read with interest the various issues you have discovered with your 3200 since purchase. Whilst the low miles has doubtless left the paint and trim looking pristine as advertised I would not have expected so much "recommissioning work" with a car inspected and given a completely clean bill of health. If you were not handy with the spanners you would have racked up a fair bill with a specialist by now.

I guess I'm reflecting on previous discussions re a car that's been a garage queen vs one that has been used regularly. Your car will no doubt be amongst the best out there once all the works are completed but there is an argument to say that the much cheaper Bologna car sold with 62,000 miles of continuous history might have been the better drivers car.

 

[alfatwo]

Pete mate, the cars 20 years old, what do you except
Porkers, Fesser's, Lambos, they all suffer similar problems when they get old..
Buy a new boring Ford Fiesta if you want trouble!

Dave