Au'99 XR6 VCT - Water in foot well and suspension mods

Red Baron XR6 VCT · 27-05-2005, 04:14 PM

Hi,

I have a '99 VCT XR6 VCT 100,000km, I've doen some mods, including SS induction with K&N panel filter, also a redback 2 1/2" cat back exhaust. Also 17" BSA 265 shadow chrome rims with slotted rotors and Lucas pads. Thats the good stuff, now for my problems.

When ever it rains, I constantly get water dripping into my driver foot well, I've taken it to the mechnic twice and he has replaced the front windscreen and put new seals around windcscreen windscreen, also plugged up some holes in the suttle pan, about $500- latter vehicle is still leaking, wondering if anyone has had this problem and knows how to fix it or who can fix it,

Also wanting to lower my vehicle, I leaning towards whitelines "THE WORKS" suspension pack including camber kit and strut braces, mainly to lower the ride, better feel and wanting to correct some understeer concerns with the AU. Wonderin if anyone can recommend any other suspension set ups and what prices they have got it done for or who has this setup and what they have to say about it

JC · 28-05-2005, 02:29 AM

Red Baron - try sending a PM to either Dark_Horse or Strider. I'm sure at least one of these members has had problems with water leaking into the footwell, so they should know how (and if) it can be fixed.

As for suspension, IMO, you can't go past Konis with king lows or superlow springs. Strut brace is not really required, but a camber kit (shim type) is recommended.

buickman · 28-05-2005, 08:00 PM

Since you have tried most obvious places to try to stop the leak then it might be the door seals or the car has had a front hit somewhere along the line and has opened up a crack or panels not fitted up correctly.

buickman

mik · 28-05-2005, 11:34 PM

water leaks really suck they can be so hard to find, the way i was shown to check door seals was to put a smear of vaseline around the seal then close the door and open it, if there is a spot where the rubber is not sealing it will show up usually, i can remember doing water leaks years ago sometimes involving removal of trim ,seats ,carpet,glove box, console and getting a helper to slowly run a hose on door jams from bottom up while i layed in car with a torch checking to see where the water was coming in, also up under gaurd, on firewall and down vents , and last the windscreen a common one used to be where the aerial cable comes in, i would have a good look around the rubber grommets on firewall and last ,if you do the water thing you have to take your time because sometimes when the water comes in it takes a while to run down, if nothing else shows up check screen again wouldnt be the first time a screen has been resealed without good results,try the easy stuff first , hope you dont have to do all that good luck

neil101 · 29-05-2005, 10:42 AM

Is your car manual?

Neil

loxxr6 · 29-05-2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

When ever it rains, I constantly get water dripping into my driver foot well, I've taken it to the mechnic twice and he has replaced the front windscreen and put new seals around windcscreen windscreen, also plugged up some holes in the suttle pan, about $500- latter vehicle is still leaking, wondering if anyone has had this problem and knows how to fix it or who can fix it,

I have the same prob. A thread on the old FF site reckoned it may be a hole in the firewall where the wiring comes thru. There's some washer/grommet thing which comes loose and lets water in.

Its quite annoying.

neil101 · 29-05-2005, 09:54 PM

Sorry to tell you this boys but your firewall is probably cracked, my brother had this problem in his 98 AU manual the firewall split on the weld where the pedal box mounts cost him 1500 for ford to pull the dash out and send it to a pannel beater to get welded up. Ford said it's a common problem with AU manuals but not one that warrents a factory recall.

Neil

loxxr6 · 29-05-2005, 10:01 PM

Well thats :ymca: news if it's actually what the problem is.

If we took the car to a panel beater would it be easy to spot ?

neil101 · 30-05-2005, 07:37 AM

it should be you could probably check yourself stick your head under the dash and get someone to hose the windscreen you'll be able to see it coming in.

Neil

Red Baron XR6 VCT · 30-05-2005, 08:44 AM

Thanks for all your help regarding this, I will carry out the tests and get back to you with a solution (hopefully).

Niel101, yes my car is a manual,

loxxr6 · 30-05-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

it should be you could probably check yourself stick your head under the dash and get someone to hose the windscreen you'll be able to see it coming in.

Mine doesn't gush in. Even after spending time in pouring rain, it only drips after some time.

Red Baron XR6 VCT · 31-05-2005, 12:35 PM

LoxXr6, mines the same, I think cause I park on a hill it effects it worst, but is urs still dripping. I've looked up into the footwell and found that it drips from just over the brake pedal, but I can not locate exactly where it is coming from. My major concern is the underlining of the car, and possibility of rust occurring under the lining.

loxxr6 · 31-05-2005, 02:54 PM

Its just a really slow drip. It doesn't happen straight away but its annoying none the less.

Jake F6 · 31-05-2005, 03:27 PM

Been there, done that (bloody f$%ken annoying)!!!

The problem with mine was that there were cracks in the scuttle panel
where the steering box attatches from underneath. The cracks are visible if
you remove the plastic grill thing near the windscreen wipers (they may be
tiny). The water gets in these cracks. When you accelerate or go uphill the
water will come down onto your feet!

This needs to be welded - apperently with dash out, which cost me big
bucks done at Ford, Courtney & Patterson Ford botched this badly. I had
it back there about four times, because ever since I have had a bit of engine
noise coming from the engine bay into the cabin!!! Ford couldn't fix the
problem!

I eventually fixed this myself after much agony.

---------
The cracked firewall is a seperate issue which I also had, but this dosn't
result in any water getting into the cabin. Also needs welding!!!
Bloody hell! Writing about all these past dramas really makes me sick!

Luckily my car has been without problems since then. Good luck.....

// Jake

Red Baron XR6 VCT · 31-05-2005, 05:18 PM

Thanks Jake,

Worst thing ever, hey your not the guy with the black xr, lowered wheels, sounds nice tinted windows are u?

Yeah, know what you mean about Courtesy and Patience, took mine there and they tried to tell their nothing wrong with it.

And that they couldn't find any problems, took it to MI Auto in Bulleen, they did a great job, and replaced windscreen and all seals and rubbers, also sealed up some holes in the skuttle pan but water leak almost stopped but still slightly there.

Absolut pain in the ****, and just want it to stop, as I have to replace my carpet, due to the smell it has created.

buickman · 31-05-2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACK XR6-VCT

Been there, done that (bloody f$%ken annoying)!!!

The problem with mine was that there were cracks in the scuttle panel
where the steering box attatches from underneath. The cracks are visible if
you remove the plastic grill thing near the windscreen wipers (they may be
tiny). The water gets in these cracks. When you accelerate or go uphill the
water will come down onto your feet!

This needs to be welded - apperently with dash out, which cost me big
bucks done at Ford, Courtney & Patterson Ford botched this badly. I had
it back there about four times, because ever since I have had a bit of engine
noise coming from the engine bay into the cabin!!! Ford couldn't fix the
problem!

I eventually fixed this myself after much agony.

---------
The cracked firewall is a seperate issue which I also had, but this dosn't
result in any water getting into the cabin. Also needs welding!!!
Bloody hell! Writing about all these past dramas really makes me sick!

Luckily my car has been without problems since then. Good luck.....

// Jake

I nearly got rid of my AU when the ball that connects the boot strut snapped of and Ford would not come to the party because out of warranty.
If mine started creating water probs like that It would **** me of big time and end up selling the car.

buickman

ebv8 · 05-08-2009, 05:50 PM

i had the water leak issue with my au2 xr6, after i sold it my mechanic mate told me a rivet comes loose under the scuttle panel and requires a bit of silicone sealant and says he has fixed about 3 AU's this way. mine gushed on my foot in the rain just after i reversed out my driveway. my currect AU doesn't leak so never checked if this is acutally the case.
regarding the suspension upgrade. i just love the ride on my old 150,000km xr6 hp with stock suspension and now in my xr8 i have new selby springs and new ultima shocks (shocks are way to soft) so koni or bilsteins are the only way to go. bushes should be ok with only 100,000km on it so just a camber kit and aggressive wheel alignment to fix the understeer get one from a performance suspension shop like "east coast suspensions at kirrawee NSW" not a tyre shop they usually have no clue about a good setup

51OAU · 05-08-2009, 07:06 PM

i got a manual au3 aswell, i also get the leak on the foot its noramally above the break pedal what is the scuttle pan?

Unit Ute · 06-08-2009, 12:33 AM

Ive had this problem as well, the main reason i can see from what i have read is that the firewall is cracked as others have said, but can it be fixed from the outside, without the dash appart?? Mine is a manual, but will leak if left up hill, as the water pools i think or sometimes slightly when it is level. Having to remember to park downhill is a pain.
cheers

blueoval · 06-08-2009, 12:49 AM

geez, thread mine much??? :P

Swordsman88 · 06-08-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

geez, thread mine much??? :P

indeed. Just noticed how old this thread is.

Where does the radio aeriel cable come in on an AU? Had a leak in the old mans XD years ago and all it was was a missing grommet on the radio aerial wire. The water used to trick down along the wire and then drip off into the passenger footwell. Bugger to find it but quite a laugh when we did. Bit of silicon bobs your uncle.

superroo · 08-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Try this first. It has been the issue for a few guys

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11220972

Cheers