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Water Leak in footwells

25420 Views 18 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  demonics12
I have some type of water leak in the footwells. I had my car detailed a few weeks ago, so I originally thought that they used too much water when shampooing. Thinking it was from the detailer I removed the carpets last weekend and let them sit out during this week to dry out. It rained yesterday and I could see some puddles of water on the floor. Also when making sharp turns I can hear water swishing around. The swishing noise sounds to be coming from behind/under the passenger dash. Maybe a clogged drain? Also, I did have my defroster on yesterday with the rain. Any advice on how to fix this problem. Thank you!
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If you can hear water inside the passenger cabin it's probably a clogged AC evap drain. Pull the AC evap drain tube on the passenger side footwell and unclog that.
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And have something to catch the water when you do that. You'll be surprised how much has accumulated.
Do you have a sunroof?
I had this problem with my girlfriends VW Beetle, and it turned out to be one of the drain hoses from the sunroof that go down through the A-Pillars. I dont know if its the same in our cars (i dont have a sunroof) but you might wanna look into that.
Had this same thing happen on my focus back inthe day. Turned out to be something with the ac behind the glove box.


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I pulled the evap line in the passenger foot well, and nothing came out. It doesn't look clogged. If it was clogged how would I unclogg it?
Do you notice your coolant level running low? If so it can be your heater core

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I pulled the evap line in the passenger foot well, and nothing came out. It doesn't look clogged. If it was clogged how would I unclogg it?
You can use compressed air to blow it out, or run a piece of wire up the drain, be careful not to poke too hard as you could puncture the heater core elements if the wire went the wrong way.

Have you checked sun roof drain lines?

Do you notice your coolant level running low? If so it can be your heater core
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OP would have smelled the distinct sweet aroma from glycol coolant if that was the case.
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Thanks for all the replies. I don't have a sunroof and it's definitely not coolent. Here is a picture (the picture posted sideways) of the tube I pulled inside the car in the passenger footwell. It has only been wet below this tube. Just want to confirm, should I blow compressed air into the hole or into the tube?

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Well, the hole in the floor goes to a small tube to the ground and I would guess u could use a light to shine in it to see if clogged. I would blow some air in the tube u pulled out or run some small wire up it.
Forrest,

Please read this TSB, hope it helps. I had this leak on my car on the driver's side earlier this year.

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Thanks for all the replies. I don't have a sunroof and it's definitely not coolent. Here is a picture (the picture posted sideways) of the tube I pulled inside the car in the passenger footwell. It has only been wet below this tube. Just want to confirm, should I blow compressed air into the hole or into the tube?
My 03 gets small puddles sometimes.. That black rubber has a foam backing that gets wet and its impossible to dry by itself, mine only gets wet on the foot well area, if I put my hand further up its totally dry so I know its not coming from the windshield area, most likely door seals. I used a thin wire and put it through the sunroof drain and water flows freely so that's ruled out.

Check for ripped door seals also.

To rule out AC hose, turn on the AC and see if water is flowing out of the car through that hose.
All excellent suggestions....I would add to anxiety level here and say you have to take care of water leaks sooner rather than later. The Honda computer (ECU) is next to the foot well under the center console. If the carpet gets wet, water can "wick up" and damage the ECU.

The ONLY thing that went wrong on my Honda in 6 years was the ECU fried out. I don't ever want to go through that again.

If the A/C evaporator line is clogged (great idea NightFire to just run A/C and determine if water is coming out of the line!) there are cheap products to spray in there to clean and disinfect.
should I blow compressed air into the hole or into the tube?
I'd say both, more on the tube side, blowing into the hole will (hopefully) loosen anything that may have clogged the drainage from the evaporator sitting above.

Running AC for a bit to see if any moisture comes out that hole is a good ideal, although may not be as easy to do now as the weather gets colder.

Once you blow the tube clear, you should also pour water through the tube using a small funnel and see if water comes out from under the car, just to be certain everything is cleared up.

Now, stupid question of the day, that tube was plugged into the hole when you pulled back the carpet cover, right? If not then it would be the reason why you are finding water in the cabin!! :D
Good thought Aviography, but it was plugged in before. With the tube pulled, I ran the ac for about 15 minutes and no water was flowing out. I am heading out to pick up a chuck for the air compressor to send some air up the hose.

I have the front carpet out, but left the rear carpet in. I now just noticed that rear padding is wet. I guess this could be from the water flowing back since the front carpet and padding is out.

I also may take the garden hose and run that over the top of the car to see if it is coming in from outside.
Your problem made me want to revisit my own, it was raining all morning and I had taken out my passenger's carpet and plastic trim, when I went to check the car half an hour ago, the door step on the inside was a little wet, I followed the trail up into passenger kickpanel, removed it and noticed there was a hole there, checked on the outside and it's where the wire harness exists towards the passenger door, the rubber seal was completely off, I reseated it on the opening and im crossing my fingers this is the end of my water issues. Check to see if this might be your problem OP.
^ Good stuff, that could certainly be a likely cause.
How does an owner know whether damage has occurred to any electronics and what electronics are under the floor? I am not the original owner. I bought it certified. I think it was a leased vehicle before. I am worried that someone drove it and never did the repair. Does that mean the car is a lemon and I should return it under the lemon law?
How does an owner know whether damage has occurred to any electronics and what electronics are under the floor? I am not the original owner. I bought it certified. I think it was a leased vehicle before. I am worried that someone drove it and never did the repair. Does that mean the car is a lemon and I should return it under the lemon law?
If it is in fact certified, then the warranty should cover this.
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