Water in spare wheel well
Discussion
Had to actually get out the spare wheel on my 07 Focus estate and there’s a bit of a mini paddling pool going on in there. Carpet in boot not damp or anything, so not sure where is coming from. Does seem to accumulate in lip over boot sill a bit, but not sure how making it into there. Any harm in a drilling a couple of drain holes?
Don't drill holes in there, just find where it is coming from.
Firstly clean it all out & check the grommets some cars have grommets with slits in for water to drain out.
If you still can't see where it is coming from remove the boot carpets/wheel/jack etc & lightly sprinkle some talc over the floor, runs in the powder will indicate where it is coming from, most likely either hatch seal, rear wiper seal/grommet or rear light cluster seal.
Firstly clean it all out & check the grommets some cars have grommets with slits in for water to drain out.
If you still can't see where it is coming from remove the boot carpets/wheel/jack etc & lightly sprinkle some talc over the floor, runs in the powder will indicate where it is coming from, most likely either hatch seal, rear wiper seal/grommet or rear light cluster seal.
Cheers, was busy swapping bits over and took a quick snap, but hadn't actually even noticed the grommets in there... Will pull out and see if improves. No immediate sign of rust there at moment anyway, and car very much in shed territory so not too concerned about long-term effects yet.
Focii seem to be a bit leaky. There’s no end of stuff on YouTube about tracing and sorting them. I bought a focus estate a few weeks ago and was disappointed to find damp carpet in the boot and water in the wheel well. I dried them out and despite the stormy weather and flooded roads it’s still as dry as a bone. Looks like it was over enthusiastic pressure washing from the valeter prior to handover. Bullet dodged, I think.
My MK1 focus had a soaking wheel well. The rear washer jet tube come loose, and was pouring down the side of the boot on each application.
How the previous owner didn't notice...? The smell gave it away.
I also spent yesterday drying the wheel well of the wife's Cruze estate (astra J), and was planning to do the talc powder thing.
Some might be spillage though from inside? Ie kids water bottle leaking.
Was a pita during cold weather due to interior condensation freezing.
How the previous owner didn't notice...? The smell gave it away.
I also spent yesterday drying the wheel well of the wife's Cruze estate (astra J), and was planning to do the talc powder thing.
Some might be spillage though from inside? Ie kids water bottle leaking.
Was a pita during cold weather due to interior condensation freezing.
We had the same with our 58plate fiesta, turned out to have two leaks
- 1) ford appear to use sticky pads to plug holes in the rear panels under the bumper, which had failed and needed patching
- 2) seam sealant where the top of the rear panels meet the roof (near the rear hatch hinges) failed, rake out and replace
- 1) ford appear to use sticky pads to plug holes in the rear panels under the bumper, which had failed and needed patching
- 2) seam sealant where the top of the rear panels meet the roof (near the rear hatch hinges) failed, rake out and replace
IIRC the Mk1 Focus could get a leak around the rear light fittings. As you had to remove the whole unit to replace a bulb sometimes the washer would not be put back on properly or would perish.
Mk3 Focus is susceptible to water getting in through the air vents behind the rear bumper.
Not sure about the Mk2, but I would start on the lights as it's a similar position to the Mk1.
Mk3 Focus is susceptible to water getting in through the air vents behind the rear bumper.
Not sure about the Mk2, but I would start on the lights as it's a similar position to the Mk1.
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