Suggestions to identify water leak

[dab996]

Hi,

I have a MY99 996c2, which has developed a leak and I should be grateful for any advice in how to go about identifying where its coming in from.

By chance, I noticed water under the rear seat behind the driver and in the foot well behind the driver but there was no other indication of water ingress, no indication from the door sills or window seals, no marks on the roof lining or paneling, no condensation problems, no musty smells but given the amount of water, i can only surmise a slow gradual build up. I set about removing all the paneling and carpet and the next time it rained, which unsurprisingly was almost immediately, I noticed small drips below the top of the rear passenger window - hopefully the pictures will reveal more -



I should point out that mine has a sunroof but again there is no indication its coming in from here but i appreciate that doesn't mean it isn't.

My OPC suggested and i quote - For water testing we would use a dry bay with a hose pipe sprinkler and a willing colleague with eagle eyes sat inside for the duration.

I have read there are companies specialising in leaks that use a dye to identify the problem.

Any suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated.

[Orangecurry]

I know nothing about the 996 sunroof, but I would explore how to clean out the SR drainage channels.

Search on Rennlist.

ETA sounds like it could be a good idea to inspect the battery area whilst you've in there.

http://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/631682-sunroo...

Edited by Orangecurry on Tuesday 26th January 19:22

[dab996]

I had considered the drainage holes around the sunroof but my OPC said this was highly unlikely as they had very rarely experienced a vehicle with this problem. More often than not they said it was a window seal but i'm beginning to think it may be the drainage holes.

[dab996]

Checked the battery area and all is dry.

[LotusAlfaV6bloke]

It does sound mental, but flour around the entry points as you sit inside the car as a friend slowly and methodically sprinkles a hose over the car works wonders.

You'll feel daft but I sorted out a Golf doing this.

[griffter]

If the temperature drops sub zero again take a look then. I found icicles in the boot of one of my cars once which identifed the water leak for me.

[dab996]

Cheers Gents for the advice to date.

[LeighB]

I would also suggest it could be either the rubber trim around the door aperture or more likely to be the plastic sheet behind the door card.

This is stuck to inner skin of the door with a foam like adhesive strip that after time can fail. Then water dripping down the face of the window into the door then leaks through into the cabin instead of only going out of the drain holes.

So perhaps try aiming a hose at the window and see if this promotes water ingress and reapplying the sheet should cure it.

Other than that, have you had a windscreen replaced recently as a poor bond will leak and water will track down to some of the most unlikely places, making you think it's somewhere else where the problem lies.

Best of luck sorting it.

[anonymous-user]

Don't discount sunroof - my OPC said same
Turned out to be drainage tube had come adrift and water was running from rear channel on n/s down rear three quarter and soaking carpet behind passenger seat. I found it by opening roof and running water into side of roof for 5 mins.

[R.-koyhb]

Agree with previous post . Mine was a blockage somewhere from the sunroof drainage holes through to where they exit under the rear wheel arch . Had to be blown out with high pressure air and the rear inside Panel removed to gain access to the drain tubes to check connection ok . Seats out and took ages to dry out carpets . Also very risky because the ECU is under the passenger seat and was sitting in water . The water spreads everywhere and the thick foam under the carpets absorbs it like a sponge . This is quite a common problem on sun roof models . A time consuming job to say the least .

Good luck with yours .