| Author |  Topic  | |
MARK DRANSFIELD
Starting Member
United Kingdom
47 Posts |  Posted - 06 May 2021 : 22:16:34  
| We got caught in a downpour last week, and rain dripped down the back of the glovebox, and onto the passenger side carpet. I wasn't particularly surprised, as the seal around the front fresh air intake has shrunk, and so I'll replace it.
But I was thinking: doesn't rain get into that air vent when you're driving along? (even if the seal is good). So is there a drain in there? (And is mine probably blocked?)
Cheers
Mark
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2008 9-3 Convertible
1975 96 in Green
1957 Austin Metropolitan |
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UK_Sub
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2558 Posts | Posted - 07 May 2021 : 10:17:40
| | It's more than likely getting in through the windscreen surround. Any rain getting into the fresh air vent, should run out through drain holes on your bulkhead and run into the engine bay. Definitely check to see if they're blocked though. |  |
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Borstlap
V4 Fanatic
Norway
334 Posts | Posted - 07 May 2021 : 15:45:54
| Don't count out the windscreen wiper shaft. They can rot on the inside and then water can leak through. Was the incoming water rusty?
Alex | |
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andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 07 May 2021 : 21:06:45
| Mark
My 96 has had 3 windscreens fitted in my 8 years of ownership. Every single time a new screen was fitted, it leaked like a sieve. One time, I almost felt like getting a wet suit on, it was so bad.
All were sealed by pumping Frost's windscreen sealant all round. Between the glass and rubber, and between the rubber and body.
On screen number 3 now, I don't get a drop in.
As Borstlap has said another favourite line of entry is down the wiper shafts. To mitigate that, fill the rubber cap on the outside with vaseline.
Another good source of leakage is through the holes, of the screws that hold the wiper motor on, if the seal between the bonnet, at the top, and the car body is not good. The water gets in though the bonnet seal, it then runs down the bulkhead, and can get through aforementioned screw holes.
That would be on the driver's side though.
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro | |
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Woody
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2764 Posts | Posted - 08 May 2021 : 17:38:09
| | Suggest removing the glovebox from dash and observe under dash while ANOTHER spays car with a hose. Need to see where water is coming from to rule out screen seal leak. Can get water leaking in via the wiper spindles. Any water that gets into the air vent area below windscreen should drain out via gullys. Check that this area is clear of leaves and debris as it can promote rotting from inside. | |
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MARK DRANSFIELD
Starting Member
United Kingdom
47 Posts | Posted - 08 May 2021 : 18:30:37
| Gents,
Thanks for all this valuable advice.
I'll do some testing, and unblock drains, seal windscreen rubber, check spindles.
Thanks very much
Mark
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2008 9-3 Convertible
1975 96 in Green
1957 Austin Metropolitan | |
|
stevebod
V4 Fanatic
United Kingdom
416 Posts | Posted - 17 May 2021 : 14:58:53
| | Another idea is the rubber bung where the speedo cable goes through the bulkhead. I think this is on the glovebox side. | |
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| | Topic | |
Rain leaking into passenger footwell
