4.2 Wet In Passenger Footwell

[local hero]

My brother has owned my old 4.2 2002 d4d for the last 2yrs and it has of course been faultless, however he is experiencing dampness in the passenger footwell carpets any suggestions? It is not losing any water, and we have had a lot of rain, is this a known problem? Thanks Stew

[St Thicket]

This was a problem with my rav4.2 a couple of years ago. The previous owner had just replaced the windshield before he sold the car to me, and when living in Bergen - being the rain capital - the floor was constantly wet. I noticed that there was a small lake where the fuel lid lever is located.

I took the car to the windshield company and they did a remount of it. They told me that the previous fitting was done incorrectly, so that the glue didn't seal good enough to hold the water out... In other words, mounting the windshield isn't idiot-proof, so it is doomed to leak if not done by experienced people.

[bothwell_buyer]

dearest LH

there have been a few posts about this.

I had problems with my RAV and eventually stripped the whole dashboard out to trace the water leak. Things like the water drain near the rear of the bonnet (hood) and front wing were found to be clear.

It was the front windscreen up at the top right hand corner (as looking at the front of the car) - the screen had been replaced and insufficient sticky stuff had been applied. Over the few years, with the body flexing (the windscreen does afford the body some rigidity) the seal had come apart and the water was tracking its way down the pillar; down behind the dash in the corner; following some cabling to the rear of the fuse box; and then tracking down behind plastic fascia to end up behind carpet and then to the footwell. Ended up I had to tear out the carpet and the felt and replace the lot. I did a short term fix by filling the top corner of the windscreen outside underneath the rubber with CT10 - a waterproof adhesive/filler that can be applied to wet surfaces.

This was removed when I had to get the windscreen changed after it got hit by something (shame.....aawwwwwwhhhh)

Since then everything is dry.

Check tho for most obvious things like the window being left open; the door rubbers not being kinked; sun (?)light seals being ok.

I was told, by the way, that silicon can be a corrosive on metal.

[Hoovie]

This was a problem with my rav4.2 a couple of years ago. The previous owner had just replaced the windshield before he sold the car to me, and when living in Bergen - being the rain capital - the floor was constantly wet. I noticed that there was a small lake where the fuel lid lever is located.

I took the car to the windshield company and they did a remount of it. They told me that the previous fitting was done incorrectly, so that the glue didn't seal good enough to hold the water out... In other words, mounting the windshield isn't idiot-proof, so it is doomed to leak if not done by experienced people.

Is there any specific "gotcha" to watch for here there the fitters can miss or just a general competance thing? Getting a new windscreen very very soon and don't want it raining in my RAV :(

[Bodgit-fixit-run]

I'm on my third screen. Lost first two in a fortnight. :ffs:

No problems since a ssuch part from an annoying squeak which went on for ages over bumps. it has since settled and gone. I think it was just the sealant taking a very long time to cure properly.

The only thing to look out for is when they remove the screen the wire can foul behind the chassis plate on the bottom of the screen passenger side. and cut it out. I discovered too late so this is now missing from my xt2

[shcm]

I expect you already have these elsewhere .

How about being really nice to the fitter, offering lots of tea, but watch him very closely

[local hero]

Thanks lads but TBH I owned the car from new and my brother has had it since so the windscreen is original. I think the damp is nearer to the transmission tunnel, he says he took a carpeted panel off + there was a plastic hose which he thought was to big to be the rear washer supply but could find no actual leak..I will try to get more info..Cheers

[shcm]

Thanks lads but TBH I owned the car from new and my brother has had it since so the windscreen is original. I think the damp is nearer to the transmission tunnel, he says he took a carpeted panel off + there was a plastic hose which he thought was to big to be the rear washer supply but could find no actual leak..I will try to get more info..Cheers

Me probably being thick now. Not sure whether we are talking front or rear passenger here.

If front, not the air con condensation drain hose is it? That goes out through the front passenger foot well.

[Hoovie]

I'm on my third screen. Lost first two in a fortnight. :ffs:

No problems since a ssuch part from an annoying squeak which went on for ages over bumps. it has since settled and gone. I think it was just the sealant taking a very long time to cure properly.

The only thing to look out for is when they remove the screen the wire can foul behind the chassis plate on the bottom of the screen passenger side. and cut it out. I discovered too late so this is now missing from my xt2

Bodgit, What wire are you referring to?

Interestingly, autoglass, or whoever runs the call centre asked if there was a visible car number (I presume they were trying to say VIN) behind the glass, which I said yes to.

shc - thanks for those instructions. I will print them out and give them to the installers saying "oh, I happened to come across these on t'interweb" - could be handy! I am taking car to depot - always thought having screen fitted in a dry workshop will get a cleaner job then a cold windy driverway, TBH (here's hoping, anyway :) )

LH - general reasons for water ingress in cars from what I have read are often blocked drainage channels, and this time of year with fallen leaves all over the place in autumn then turning mushy with rain, could it be that simple?

[dave.m]

LH - general reasons for water ingress in cars from what I have read are often blocked drainage channels, and this time of year with fallen leaves all over the place in autumn then turning mushy with rain, could it be that simple?

And quite often its the sunroof ones to blame

[Bodgit-fixit-run]

Bodgit, What wire are you referring to?

Interestingly, autoglass, or whoever runs the call centre asked if there was a visible car number (I presume they were trying to say VIN) behind the glass, which I said yes to.

They used a wire to cut the sealant from behind the screen prior to removal. It's like a cheese wire but razor sharp. it can take fingers off apparently. It's the vin number they managed to cut out of mine. I couldn't think of the word earlier.

[Hoovie]

Bodgit, What wire are you referring to?

Interestingly, autoglass, or whoever runs the call centre asked if there was a visible car number (I presume they were trying to say VIN) behind the glass, which I said yes to.

They used a wire to cut the sealant from behind the screen prior to removal. It's like a cheese wire but razor sharp. it can take fingers off apparently. It's the vin number they managed to cut out of mine. I couldn't think of the word earlier.

Ah - I understand exactly what you mean now. Thanks :)

[bothwell_buyer]

This was a problem with my rav4.2 a couple of years ago. The previous owner had just replaced the windshield before he sold the car to me, and when living in Bergen - being the rain capital - the floor was constantly wet. I noticed that there was a small lake where the fuel lid lever is located.

I took the car to the windshield company and they did a remount of it. They told me that the previous fitting was done incorrectly, so that the glue didn't seal good enough to hold the water out... In other words, mounting the windshield isn't idiot-proof, so it is doomed to leak if not done by experienced people.

Is there any specific "gotcha" to watch for here there the fitters can miss or just a general competance thing? Getting a new windscreen very very soon and don't want it raining in my RAV :(

Just stand over the person and watch that they put plenty of sticky stuff all around the screen frame; whilst your holding a mallet.