Squelching sound under footwell carpets, but not wet.

housebuyer143

I have a Ford Fiesta 2017 plate and I noticed it smelling really damp the last few days, on closer investigation it appears the carpets on the passenger side are not wet or damp, but when I push them they squelch. This is the same for the front and rear.
Anyone have any idea what it might be? I had the side panels replaced on that side a few months ago after I crashed into a low post so ill take it back next week but wondered if it was maybe something obvious? 

Brie

I had water come into my VW up filling the foot wells.  It was down to the car sitting under used for a number of months (during covid) so it was parked in the drive not far from a neighbour's huge tree.  The debris from the tree plugged the drain holes from the reservoirs under the wipers.  And then we had torrential rain and the only place the water could go was under the dash board and in to the car.  I discovered this was a common issue with ups by googling.  Halfords were able to sort out the plugged drain holes for £50 after I was quoted £1k by VW.  

housebuyer143

Brie said:

I had water come into my VW up filling the foot wells.  It was down to the car sitting under used for a number of months (during covid) so it was parked in the drive not far from a neighbour's huge tree.  The debris from the tree plugged the drain holes from the reservoirs under the wipers.  And then we had torrential rain and the only place the water could go was under the dash board and in to the car.  I discovered this was a common issue with ups by googling.  Halfords were able to sort out the plugged drain holes for £50 after I was quoted £1k by VW.  

Thanks - I lifted the bonnet and cleaned the grill, but there was little debris there - would the drain holes be out of sight?. I know the windscreen isn't leaking as that happened a few years ago and I know what to look for.
The repair was a few months ago so I am not sure if it is linked to that as it has only become apparent in the heavy rain the last week. 

chrisw

The carpets are sometimes plastic backed so if they're dry on top but the padding underneath is full of water, it must be coming in round the edges. The water can get in anywhere really, although in view of the crash repair, possibilities include if the door cards have been removed and then not resealed properly or leaking door seals. 

facade

If you lift the carpet, you will find about an inch of water sloshing about.

Modern carpets are placed on top of a thick layer of something- possibly expanded polystyrene.

As to where the water gets in, could be anywhere. My woeful Renault Nissan leaks like a sieve and I can't find the source, (nor anyone else on the Owner's forum). I have half a dozen moisture absorbing bags inside to try and reduce the condensation.

Crash damage often pops a hidden seam somewhere and causes leaks.

housebuyer143

chrisw said:

The carpets are sometimes plastic backed so if they're dry on top but the padding underneath is full of water, it must be coming in round the edges. The water can get in anywhere really, although in view of the crash repair, possibilities include if the door cards have been removed and then not resealed properly or leaking door seals. 

God, I hate water ingress! 
When it was the windscreen, water came out where you would not expect and I was told then it is nearly impossible to find a water leak source  

housebuyer143

facade said:

If you lift the carpet, you will find about an inch of water sloshing about.

Modern carpets are placed on top of a thick layer of something- possibly expanded polystyrene.

As to where the water gets in, could be anywhere. My woeful Renault Nissan leaks like a sieve and I can't find the source, (nor anyone else on the Owner's forum). I have half a dozen moisture absorbing bags inside to try and reduce the condensation.

Crash damage often pops a hidden seam somewhere and causes leaks.

Lifting the carpets is definitely above my skill level, but I imagine the garage will do that for me. Could it maybe be coming in from below so when I drive on very wet roads it is getting in that way? 

The only thing that got me looking for a leak was not only that is smelt damp but because the digital dash display completely freaked out yesterday and would not come on...
After I drove around for a few minutes it came back on but with things like the clock reset, the trip computer reset etc. last time that happened it was because my windscreen was leaking. 

Anyone think an all car cover will help it in the interim?

housebuyer143

Actually, after putting my carpet cleaner on it, the carpet is wet. Only slightly but water was coming out of it. 

housebuyer143

Found it! Rear door seal or at least that's where it's coming in. 
I put kitchen roll across front and rear doors and the back was soaking this morning. 

housebuyer143

Went to the garage today and they tell me the door is question has a gromit missing so this could have been the cause as water is draining into the car rather than out the bottom of the door..  apparently they didn't take the door off when they did the work so it probably wasn't anything they did.
Time will tell, but they were nice enough to replace it and fix my electric window while I was there 👍