Wet footwell

[Roger-ayt4c]

My Chim lives outside at the moment and when it rains there is a lot of water in the drivers footwell. I’ve got a Leven hood cover which covers the glass and the gaps between the glass, boot and the bonnet. Does anyone have any ideas how the water can get in? TIA

[Roger-ayt4c]

Forgot to mention, I can see any drips, even in heavy rain

[sixor8]

Most likely culprit is the brake fluid reservoir seal. Although it may look OK to the naked eye, any tiny split will allow water to drip into the brake servo area and track back up the pedal box.

Next most likely IME is the door seal. Either poor condition or fitted badly, or replaced without the 2 pinch point on the sills. Search on here and there's a few threads about it.

Top lurking by the way, 10 months from joining to make a post.

[Roger-ayt4c]

Thanks for that, I ll check them out.
(I shall add top lurker to my CV!)

Edited by Roger-ayt4c on Thursday 8th January 17:59

Edited by Roger-ayt4c on Thursday 8th January 18:00

Edited by Roger-ayt4c on Thursday 8th January 18:01

[PabloGee]

Seconded, the clutch cover and brake fluid reservoir seals are notorious.

I strongly recommend just digging out what ever's in there and reapplying bog standard black silicone - it flexes well and sticks well to what's there,
I tried it with Sikaflex 221, and found that failed after a few months, I believe because it's a stiffer material when cured.

And if it's not that, at least you will only have spent a few quid on silicone sealant, and you'll have eliminated one possibility.

[sixor8]

I remember reading about some having leaks down the wiper motor spindles or washer tubes. This is less likely, but another possible route, and another recent thread was from someone who believed his windscreen seal was failing.

[Shnozz]

Long term non lurker but non TVR owner for several decades but I tried in vain on both a S3 and then a Chim to waterproof the bulkhead to no avail. I literally used silicon seal around every gap and even with a V shape of silicon bead above every hole and still found water egress. I gave up and think garaging is the only watertight solution!

[Roger-ayt4c]

Thanks for the info. I think it’s most likely to be rain running down the side of the bonnet and bypassing the seal around the brake reservoir as the hood cover covers most of the other access points……maybe

[s p a c e m a n]

Yep if it's the drivers foot well getting wet sikaflex everything on the inner wheel well. When my windscreen or washers started leaking it all dripped down from above my legs when I turned right

I spent ages aiming a hose at stuff making sure it was all watertight, there's quite a few places it'll leak.

[Roger-ayt4c]

I’ll post the outcome after I’ve had a go. Thanks for all the advice

[WOO5IE]

My money is on the clutch cover.

[l10tus]

I have exactly the same issue!

I was the one who thought it was the windscreen seals.

Couple of things to note:-

Several respected repairers agree it's not normally the windscreen!

It only appears to be leaking in on the RHS / Drivers side UK.

It's really high up behind the back of the dash area, almost dripping just behind the ignition switch area.
( I know this because my electric water pump control box strapped to the ignition key area of the column was flooded !!)

Doesn't appear to be obvious splits cracks around the "obvious" brake / clutch cover?

Maybe IT IS from the wipers spindles or washer jets, area I precluded as not being responsible??

I'll watch this post with great interest!

[Roger-ayt4c]

The Leven cover covers the wipers and all the gaps inc the bonnet to windscreen. I’ve just packed the gap between the bonnet and the right wing with foam to see if to stops leaking. If it does I’ll re-silicone the bake reservoir and clutch and try again. I’ll post results, looks like rain tonight!

[PabloGee]

I hope you both can solve your leaks chaps.
Do let us know what you find.

l10tus - yours seems to be more tricky, I'm certainly interested to know where you get to mate.

[s p a c e m a n]

When it was dripping on top of my legs it was from the window rubber running up the driver's side. I stupidly used to use that as a hand hold to get in the car, water used to find it's way in through there but then drip out closer to the middle of the dash and then run out onto my legs as soon as I went around a corner.

[Roger-ayt4c]

After much pouring of water and a roll of gaffer tape I have found the problem.......Brake reservoir sealant is failing. It looks perfect but obviously not!
Thanks for all the advice ;-)

[PabloGee]

Fantastic.
Glad it was simple!

[fieryfred]

I forgot to post this in Feb 2024. My brake reservoir was leaking. So i took out the original mastic & replaced with silicone.
Now the original was stiff ( Oh Err Missus ) but with the silicone it was set in jelly.
Now some people have posted some nice reservoir covers, but i did not have the time, so bodge time.
I cut a piece from her rubber draining mat ( she wont notice ) took off the cap & drilled a hole to suit the neck.
I used waterproof thick double sided tape & it worked. I was going to do a fancy job but left it as a talking point.
Still leak free, not pretty but added to the Roundtuit list.

[AmgGT2015]

I have had the same problem. Check under the bonnet, where the brake fluid reservoir is on the drivers side. It'll need sealing up around the gap between the reservoir and the body. It leaks in the gap and the water runs into the back of the footwell by the pedals. By this : PRO XL Ultra Seal Rapid PU Sealer Car Body Adhesive Black Like Tiger Seal 310ml. Really good stuff check all the other parts on the drivers side under the bonnet as some of the cars either don't have alot of sealant or need redoing. Use alot as the brake fluid reservoir tends to move. Hope that helps as there isn't many other places they tend to leak in the drivers side. Maybe it's coming from the window seal aswell. Hope this helps

[Roger-ayt4c]

Thanks AMG it was the brake reservoir leaking.