Rear footwell soaked, possibly not ac. Please help.

[Tenalka]

In November last year I discovered the rear off side footwell soaking wet. I put it down to our broken flask and began cleaning it up with clean cloths. I knew it would take a while because I didn’t see a need to lift the carpet for just a flask of water. After a weeks the water had hardly budged, I borrowed my friend carpet cleaner and sucked out the water. Problem solved.

We have just had three storm during January and February, as you all know, and the water is back and even worse. The same footwell has more water in, and the other rear passenger footwell is wet, but not soaked, so is the drivers footwell. The front passenger footwell is bone dry.

I hardly ever use my AC perhaps once or twice if it’s really hot, also back in November it was raining when I discover the water first time round. It doesn’t smell which is surprising.

Can anyone suggest where I start or what it could be. I don’t want to take it to the garage, but obviously I will if I have to.

Thx

Mark

[Dippydog]

I'd begin by checking the scuttle drains are clear as if these are blocked water will fill the pollen filter housing and from there will overflow into the car.Assuming no sunroof a favourite would be a break in the bonding around the windscreen or possibly rear window.Other places to check would be door to body seals and the weather strip on top of the door/base of the window in case it's allowing too much water into the door and overflowing into the car past the door card.

[Tenalka]

I have had water collecting around the light console and dripping onto the gear stick area when on a slight slope down hill.

And yes, now sunroof.

thank you

[Dippydog]

Now I've opened my eyes a bit I see it's a V70.Does it have roof rails? Water could be getting in where they attach to the roof although my money is still on poor bonding of the windscreen.

[Tenalka]

Yes it has roof rail.

I guess if it is wet on around the lighting on and off as well as the foot well it could be from the window or the rails.

I guess im pulling the ceiling down to see whats happening.

[TheLeeds]

Could it be the water supply pipe for the rear screen washer ?
My old R reg 940 estate used to have the same symptoms, so I guessed the pipe might have had a small leak. Rear footwell always seemed wet and there didn't seem to be any other possible causes.

[Tenalka]

Oh wow I never thought of that, thank you. This is great, it gives me so much to think about. Thank you.

[Ant B]

I had exactly the same symptoms (rear footwell soaking wet, sound of water sloshing around in the roof lining above the rear view mirror, occasional dripping from the light console in the roof etc.), was the windscreen. The bond is / was poor, it lets water in, over time this finds its way unto footwells etc.

Replaced the screen (on my insurance as it had a small chip and crack anyway), dried out carpets, it’s been fine since - even in the recent weather (doesn’t feel like the rain has stopped for months)!

I would definitely start with the screen; even if it’s not the problem now, it’s likely to be a problem at some point anyway...?

[Tenalka]

Thank you I think this is what I’m going to do. At least it’s done then thank you so much.

[Noel Paterson]

Hi, I had exactly the same problem with my 2012 V70. The rear footwell on the passenger side became soaking and wouldn't dry out. Although there was no obvious leak around the windscreen, after reading posts on the forum I decided to get the screen replaced and the problem has been solved! I think the seal along the top can be faulty on V70s and water can run down the inside of the A pillars at each side and get into the footwells more or less invisibly. Various people have suggested on the forum that Volvo dealers may fix this free? I paid National Windscreens to do it, but I don't regret it...