156 has sprung a leak

[poohbah]

Hi all. Last week I had to travel for work so my series 1 156 was parked in n the open at airport for a few days. Perth then had its wettest august day on record (+60mm). When I got back to the car, the front passenger footwell had about a centimetre of water in it. Couldn't spot any obvious splits, perishing, or loose door seals. Any suggestions where I should focus the hunt? I think it may be seal closest to the door mirror, but could it be coming in from any hidden area? The rest of inside was dry, so appears to have run down door frame and onto floor.

[Davidm1600]

Bugger, never nice. 

I too am having such a problem but in my case it is around the tail gate or possibly the antenna on the roof.  Some how water is leaking through and discolouring my headlining which is a real pain.  Again any ideas guys what might be the cause ?

[colcol]

Use the old trick of you sitting in the car, while assistant sprays the car with water, may take a few minutes for the water to start seeping through, be patient, the door mirror seal can sometimes leak, remove the finisher trim that is a triangle shape, by pulling straight out, then there are 3 screws to undo, check the seal for perishing or twisting, also check the bottom of the door, and make sure the drain holes are not blocked.
The antenna's can sometimes leak, mine did on the Sud and 33, remove the antenna and clean round the base and seal it with some black silicone, easier said than done, may have to remove headlining, Colin.

[Davidm1600]

Thanks Col.  I had thought that might be the case.  Can't say I am too thrilled about the prospect re removing the headlining.  Need to investigate a little closer.

[poohbah]

Cheers col. I will ferret around the mirror. Also checking the body-side door seal that runs along 45 degree edge of door opening. Where it runs along join towards bonnet/ front quarter panel looks a bit loose. I suspect it might be the culprit.

[poohbah]

Should add I got some strange looks from the missus when she found me using her hairdryer to dry the carpet when I got home from the airport! But it worked a treat.

[Beatle]

Have you actually lifted the carpet?  Water usually gets under the carpets and underfelt so just drying the carpet might leave moisture against the metal floor and will eventually lead to rust, or at the very least fogged glass and odd smells when the car is closed up on a sunny day.

[alfafarm]

Hi  One suggestion we have a later 156 which had a rusted solid heater/ac when I fixed water was getting into it somewhere might be worth a look john

[poohbah]

Cheers guys, was going to lift carpets as soon as I get time this week.  I was wondering about heater myself too, I vbe been suspicious about it for a while, as doesn't seem to blow anything through floor vents.

[alfafarm]

Hi  Should have had fan after heater/ac   Senior moment  john

[colcol]

If you have a leaky heater, then it will be loosing coolant all the time, [hope you check your coolant level every week], and you will end up with a red/pink/green or blue stain on the carpet, unless you have black carpet, then it will be harder to see, but unless you are a smoker, you should be able to smell the coolant in the cabin, [when i had a thermostat leaking, i could smell it from the drivers seat].
Most likely with the heavy rain, its a door or even could have a leak in the left hand side in the engine bay pollen filter assembly, if you get a lot of leaves in the engine bay firewall area, the water won't run away, but gather around the ventilation system, could be worth a look, Colin.

[poohbah]

Cheers Col, in that case the heater is definitely not leaking - I check the coolant levels all the time, as a couple of cooling system breakdowns have been the only real problem I've had since purchase a year ago. And no dirty coolant stains on floor either. So back to the door seals!

[colcol]

It might be that loose seal you were talking about, that runs up at 45 degrees, they are usually clipped or glued in place, check the drain holes at the bottom of the door as well, when my carpets get wet, due to leaving down windows on hot days.....just before it rains, to dry, open all doors and windows and put big fan near carpet and put it on full blast, will dry it out good, Colin.

[poohbah]

Thanks Col.

[poohbah]

Seems my problem is solved. The 45 degree angle seal along front edge of door opening had come out of its groove at the bottom corner of windscreen.