Wet Carpet

[Mickey6050]

Hi I have a 2011 Mondeo Titanium hatch. I know we have had a bit of rain here in Melbourne, but the foot wells are wet, except right rear. How did they get so wet, all door and roof seals look good, also boot seals are in good condition.
I'm going to try lifting the carpets on the weekend.
Any thoughts.
Cheers Michael

[fordfreak1]

pull the carpets up and out. jump in the car with a torch at night get someone to flood ya car with water and hunt for it.

unlucky wet carpet stinks hahah

[cobrin]

Check the AC drain assembly, I found my rubber hose lost it's seal on the bottom plastic fitting to the exhaust tunnel and leaked back into the cabin. It didn't help that the exhaust heat shield also partially blocked the fitting too. That solved the mystery with the wetness from using the AC.

It didn't end there on rainy days that fitting also has a foam/spongy gasket on the cabin side of the exhaust tunnel and it had flattened so water would somehow work it's way behind the heat shield and ingressed past the fitting and gasket into the cabin. I used a socket extension to groove clearance for the heat shield drain and now it flows freely and had some leftover Permatex Ultra blue handy so carefully sealed both sides of the gasket and put it in place to cure overnight (cabin side obviously). That was what?!? two or three years ago and never a problem since. Thank god...

My research found a heap of scenarios but not one was my problem.

1. TSB on the ill fitting HVAC hose and water building up entering the cabin from the side covers of the cabin filter

2. Windshield sealant not sealing and running down inside the firewall

3. Door water drains holes blocked and filling the lower portion of the door and leaking back into the cabin from the door cards.

4. Hatch wiring harness rubber boot from hatch to cabin allowing water ingress from the rear. Another for the hatch seal itself.

5. The rear wiper spray jet supply hose coming free from a fitting and water leaking into the cabin instead of going to the jet. This was around the top of the B-Pillar area.

6. Sun Roof...

7. Antenna mount...

Though I took my time I was able to deduce that water from the drivers front was the starting point and making it happen with the AC helped me track the still leaking part when i started to look for it.

was easily enough to find after removing the kick panel and folding back the carpet layers.


Oh yeah it doesn't help that your foot or boot or ankle naturally leans against it, probably played some part in the gasket and hose being affected as it was.

[Mickey6050]

Hi Cobrin, thanks for the detailed answer, I'll check my car on the weekend.
Kind regards
Michael

[Walt Kowalski]

First thing I'd do is open the windows slightly and turn the engine on with the heater on full blast to the floor. Windows MUST be partly open.

[borntoshop666]

I had the same Issue with my MB Titanium Wagon a while ago. I turned out the Water Channels form the Sunroof were blocked and had come off the Connection. Once they block up, they can become dislodged and Water runs down the A and B Pillar into the Footwells. they normally run inside the A Pillar and drain out in the Wheel Well.
Interior Trim from the Pillars had to be removed and the plastic Pipes were cleaned and reconnected. Bought 1/2 Dozen of Closet Camels or Damp Rid and left them in the Car, make sure they don't tip over when u are driving. LOL
I put a Fan Heater in the Car overnite and had the Windows slightly open.
Eventually the damp Stench went away. Good Luck

[sailaway]

Originally Posted by fordfreak1

pull the carpets up and out. jump in the car with a torch at night get someone to flood ya car with water and hunt for it.

unlucky wet carpet stinks hahah

LOL So does your suggestion. (Stink that is) haha

...and that will find a leak from a gutter, hose etc?

[fordfreak1]

blocked ac drain will only cause passenger side footwell to be wet not the whole car. derp.

[steerage250]

Originally Posted by fordfreak1

blocked ac drain will only cause passenger side footwell to be wet not the whole car. derp.

Not correct. The drain goes through the side of the "transmission tunnel" on the driver's side - so the driver's side gets wet. The carpet sits on some moulded foam that conceals all the under-carpet wiring, and the water runs under the foam right through to the rear.

Ask me how I know !

[msford]

Hi, and help (if possible)

I read this thread last week as I had some leaking issues at the driver's side compartment. The carpet at my feet was damp and there has been a foul smell in the car for quite a while (but I didn't do anything about it), plus I noticed the interior fogging up in the evenings and mornings (almost frozen on some of these more recent cold mornings in Melbourne).

So I deduced, even hoped, that my problem was the ac drain leaking, as described in this thread and as I had found in other online searches.

I had a Ford service done today and asked them to check out the leak and, hopefully, implement a quick fix by unblocking it for me.

However they have come back with a report that the thermostat is leaking and the line to it. Replacement cost $935. My whole car probably only costs $10k if I tried to sell it.

I guess my question is, should I get another opinion and where would I get that other opinion from? It cost me $176 for them to diagnose this problem (plus a door issue I am having, which will cost another $1290 if I want that fixed).

Crikeys! $2300 repairs for a $10k car. By the time I add rego and insurance I could Uber for less, I reckon.

But that's just a vent. My main query, if anyone can advise me, is whether I accept that it's the thermostat and line to it or I can/should get another opinion on whether it is the ac drain, instead, and a much cheaper and simpler fix.

I need the car in about two weeks for an interstate drive so I have to make a decision soon.

Cheers and thanks in advance.

[steerage250]

The thermostat is on the engine. I can't imagine how a leaking thermostat should get your carpet wet. You don't say what engine type you have, but I've looked at the manual, and the thermostats for all engine types are on the "front" side of the engine (ie the radiator side). It's almost inconceivable that water from a leaky thermostat could get into the driver's footwell from there.

Maybe someone (the service advisor?) got the message wrong from the mechanic. I would double-check and ask them to show you the leaky component.

[msford]

Hi and thanks

I've got a Mondeo 2011 MC 2.0 TDCI hatch.

FYI: The wording on the report is:

"Customer states that the driver's side footwell is filled* with water.

Found thermostat leaking and line to it. Requires replace. $935"

* well, I didn't say it was filled. The carpet is damp and I actually didn't really notice the dampness it until I removed the rug on top of the carpet and felt it. It's only slightly damp but damp enough that you can feel it with your finger when you press on it plus the water seems to have drifted to the rear passenger carpet as it is also slightly damp there, too.

I also specifically mentioned the a/c drain assembly to Ford as a possible/probable factor as prior to taking the car in I removed the carpet in that area and had a quick look at it and felt some water around the assembly, as per the picture attached in this thread. It looked identical to the picture in this thread so I assume I was looking at the right thing.

But even what may be a simple DIY job like this is beyond my capabilities nor do I have all the tools necessary to do it and I don't want to start fiddling around with it and stuffing it up or not be able to put it back together properly thus I am prepared to pay for it.

And from what you're saying about the location of the thermostat it implies that if their diagnosis is correct then the thermostat requires replacing plus if it's not the true source of the leak/dampness then it needs to be found and also fixed. Would that be an accurate conclusion?

I may go back to Ford but could I try somewhere else for a second opinion? eg myCar or another mechanic? I have used the local myCar previously for simple jobs and tyres so they are the first ones that come to mind.

Cheers and thanks, again.

[steerage250]

Originally Posted by msford

And from what you're saying about the location of the thermostat it implies that if their diagnosis is correct then the thermostat requires replacing plus if it's not the true source of the leak/dampness then it needs to be found and also fixed. Would that be an accurate conclusion?

Yes, that is correct.

My blockage problem was under the car. The sound/heat insulation was pressing against the outlet of the drain. From under the car, I put a tube up between the floor and the insulation, and bent/formed the insulation around it to make a nice gap under the drain fitting that can't get blocked again.

[msford]

Thanks for all that info.

I've had a recommendation given to me for a local auto electrician/air con specialist so I'll try him out for a second opinion and see what he says before proceeding further.

Cheers

[Black S]

Sounds like a blocked A/C drain tube. I had the same problem 12 months ago.

As in the picture provided above previously just give that tube several presses and it should help unblock it.

[thebigd]

I've never seen water dripping from under the Mondeo whilst being parked and having the aircon running. From memory, all of my previous cars used to leave a puddle in this situation.
Have any other owners noticed this ? I'd hate to think I have a blocked drain as well.

[steerage250]

Originally Posted by thebigd

I've never seen water dripping from under the Mondeo whilst being parked and having the aircon running. From memory, all of my previous cars used to leave a puddle in this situation.
Have any other owners noticed this ? I'd hate to think I have a blocked drain as well.

If you don't regularly see a puddle - be worried !

[msford]

Hi again

I'm back because the recent rain in Melbourne has more likely identified my problem and it wasn't/isn't the a/c drain tube. I had that fixed by an auto electrician a few months ago who used his air pressure gun to blow out any blockage but I noticed there was still dampness on the driver's side both at my feet and also on the passenger side. Moreso after the more recent bursts of rain. The dry patch we had in recent weeks disguised the real cause of my problem.

So after it stopped raining today I checked the car and, sure enough, it was damp on the carpet in the same locations as previously (driver and passenger right behind the driver).

I had a quick check of the seals and even pulled a few out and, sure enough, I could see drops of water getting in somehow. The seals looked ok to my eye but who do I take the car to (when they reopen, of course) for a professional check? Panel beater?

When I get a chance I might try a hose test and have someone pour water over various parts of the car to see if I can identify the location where the water might be coming in from. I figure I've got another 4-6 weeks of this lockdown so I'll have the time to do it. And I have to hope more rain doesn't cause any further damage. I only have outdoor parking, unfortunately.

2020 sucks.

[msford]

I don't think it's the seals. I think I've sprung a leak, somewhere. Possibly the windshield as I could trace some drops of water coming out from under the driver's side dash. But I haven't determined that yet. I was focused on getting all the water out today. I pulled out the rear seats so I could pull up the carpet at the back and soak up the water, which I did. There was quite a pool of water there. Sheesh!

What timing with everyone closed.

2020 sucks even more.

[msford]

I just thought I'd post my experience with wet carpet and the solution I found.

It took a bit of investigative work but I worked out that, in my case, it was the sunroof drain holes being clogged. I rarely use the sunroof (and I've vowed to never buy another car with one) but that didn't matter as over the course of time (about ten years for me) dirt, dust, bits and pieces that are small enough to find their way into the drain holes can and will build up and eventually clog the pipe/hose that tracks down the car and behind the dash where it plugs into a hole to allow the water that has gotten in past the sunroof seals to drain out underneath the car, just behind each of the tyres.

From my research online this is a known problem with sunroofs and it is most often the front drain holes that get clogged. And, worse, the design of the Mondeo (and other Fords) drain hole plug means that some of the usual options like running a trimmer line wire through or high pressure air will not work and are even strictly not recommended by many as they may damage the Ford drain-plug (which, according to one person is actually based on a Volvo design).

These are the two best resources I used to fix my problem and, finally, resolve my wet carpet/floor problem. It took a whole day and pulling apart quite a few bits and pieces but it is the only known solution as the design is such that there is no other (known) way to access the drain hose in order to clear it up and get rid of the sludge that builds up over time.

I hope it's ok to post these links here.

This one is a good written description, with photos, of what to do

https://talkford.com/community/topic...sunroof/page-2


This one is a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsIMQawXGI4


From now on I'll be checking on them more frequently and ensuring there hasn't been some blob of dirt or other object that may have landed in the sunroof cavity when opened that will eventually find its way into one or both of those drain holes.

I hope the above has been helpful to anyone who may experience similar wet carpet/floor issues as me.

Cheers

[BOSS302]

Just had a similar experience and led me to this thread.
2010 mondeo XR5...took it to the car wash yesterday and thought i'd give it a good high pressure spray then come home and wash and polish it.


while cleaning the intereior I noticed the foot well in the rear drivers side passenger side was very wet. NO water anywhere else in the car.


I've never noticed this before and wonder if the high pressure water got in somewhere somehow but have no idea at all where it would be running in from and furthermore how to fix it. Then again, it could be there more often than I think but not as bad and whatever has caused the blockage has gotten worse...


Is there any hose or run off drain or anything anyone is aware of that would be blocked just in the rear drivers side passenger foot well. It is literally bone dry to touch elsewhere except here?


cheers