Dampness on driver's side..what could be the cause?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Only had this car about 3 weeks & recently noticed that the carpet on the drivers side is getting damp for some reason. I have rubber backed mats & when I lift the mat it's glistening with moisture. If I leave the mat out for a few hours the carpet does dry out.

Just wondering what could be causing this? Not sure whether it is happening all the time or when it rains. Obviously if it is raining during the night I won't be aware.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rolandtheroadie

Heater matrix? Is the fluid level going down in the expansion tank?
Or does the car have a sunroof?
What car is it? An old Vauxhall of mine used to get water in the footwell as the drain holes were blocked that took the water from the window wiper area down to the ground.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

It's A Citroen C2 VTS.

Not noticed any fluid levels going down. It also dosen't have a sunroof.

I am noticing it more on a morning. It dosen't feel totally soaking wet just damp & the car dosen't smell.

Nearly_Old

Have you checked the drain holes in the bottom of the door?

The window seals do not stop all the water getting into the interior of a door and there are drain holes in the bottom to let this water out. If the water is not draining then it can build up and seep past the sealing membrane behind the interior door panel.

poppasmurf_bewdley

The above need checking, but also:

Is there are scuttle below the windscreen where leaves can collect and block the drainhole? This could lead to water entering the inside of the car - I had this on one car.

Also check if the seal on the windscreen is ok. And check the bulkhead from the engine compartment and see if any rubber grommets, etc, are loose or out of place.

Believe it or not, some types of shoe can bring in quite a lot of water, especially those with thick rubber or crepe soles.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks for all replies. I will check all what has been mentioned. Although, I checked under the car mat this morning & it didn't feel damp. However, I'm not convinced that it'll stay like that, so will have a look tomorrow.

vaio

blocked drain on the aircon

peter_the_piper

C1,107,Aygo suffered from dodgy door seals at the top of the door. They had to add another seal above the original one.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Check where the pollen filter fits in the bulkhead under the bonnet drivers side, the plastics all seem brittle on Citroens and i reckon this panel could easily get split.

The old way of searching it out would be to get upside down in the footwell with a torch and get an assistant to hose the car down whilst you prod and poke about, evetually you'll find the leak.

Muscle750

Another few places to look are check where the wiring loom from the door goes into the door pillar and check the top of the door is a tight fit in the door aperture if it isnt and sticks out wind window down fully hold bottom of door with leg and hit top edge of door frame with palm of hand. Also make sure where the steering column goes throu the bulkhead the grommet is fitted ok if not you can usually hear a wind/road noise as you can if the door aint fitting well at top edge, also look under car see if any grommets are missing out of floor pan. Check the door seal isnt damaged by the seatbelt been trapped when the door has been shut also check the back door as well as water maybe running back and forth
If you can pop off the inner sill cover and lift carpet up see if the its saturated underneath. If the car steams up alot i would say it would be.
Get someone with a hose pipe and get inside car all doors shut etc obviously and get a torch and get you head down in the footwell and see if you can see any coming in. but only get the hose to immitate rain fall not a 300psi pressure washer. Only way to dry it out will be seats out and carpet out
All these are if the car isnt losing coolant if it is and theres no obvious leaks under bonnet and theres no water mixing in the oil yes it could be heater matrix but i doubt it

fivetide

Simple idea.

Go to the jet wash. Sit in it, have someone blast the car, look for drips/dampness.

If you make sure it is dry before you do it, you'll know for sure it is a seal somewhere or a blocked drain hole.

5t.