XC70: General - Aghh - the dreaded water ingress into the drivers footwell

Vegas33139 · Nov 10th, 2021, 15:28

Good Morning,

After some heavy rain over Dartmoor, I jumped into my 2011 Xc70 to the sound of squishy carpets under my feet!. I couldn't see any obvious dripping so I decided to remove the front carpet (what a fight that was!) to reveal the sound-proofing around the bonnet release catch area a darker colour. On further inspection it was found to be dripping wet. (see attached image)

If anyone can give me some advice on where to start looking, I'd be eternally grateful.

Adderross94 · Nov 10th, 2021, 15:42

Hi there it’s probably the windscreen bonding that’s failed very common problem on the p3 generation of Volvos assuming that yours still has its original windscreen. Fix is to get the windscreen resealed or get it replaced through insurance. If your xc70 has a sunroof it could be blocked drains that’s causing the water to drain back into the cabin, could be a mixture of both the bonding failure and the sunroof drains being blocked.

Vegas33139 · Nov 10th, 2021, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adderross94

Hi there it’s probably the windscreen bonding that’s failed very common problem on the p3 generation of Volvos. Fix is to get the windscreen resealed or get it replaced through insurance. If your xc70 has a sunroof it could be blocked drains that’s causing the water to drain back into the cabin, could be a mixture of both the bonding and the sunroof drains being blocked.

Hi, Thanks for the reply.

The first thing anyone told me was to check the sunroof drains. I poured water into the left and right drains and it flowed out freely to underneath the car.

If I could post an image it would be clearer as to what I'm on about. Unfortunately, because I'm new, I'm not sure if I can post images yet - which is a shame. Thanks anyway for the reply.

Adderross94 · Nov 10th, 2021, 15:53

No problem can be annoying trying to source a leak. Had that problem In my c30 and v70 one with blocked drains and the other with failed bonding. You could also try to push the windscreen on both sides from inside to see if the screen lifts away from the body that’s how I found mine was faulty might be worth a try 👍

Amoore · Nov 12th, 2021, 10:22

will most likely be the top bond on the windscreen. mine didn't even have any! cost me the excess on my windscreen insurance which was less risky than giving volvo £420 if they crack the windscreen on replacement!

Vegas33139 · Nov 18th, 2021, 10:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amoore

will most likely be the top bond on the windscreen. mine didn't even have any! cost me the excess on my windscreen insurance which was less risky than giving volvo £420 if they crack the windscreen on replacement!

Just been to the local independent Volvo specialist. It was indeed the windscreen. Obviously when I checked the windscreen I didn't push out hard enough for fear of breaking or cracking the windscreen. Anyway, when he did it, he pushed out with more force and there was an obvious gap of about 1 cm.

Booked in for screen replacement next Thursday. Now my next struggle is trying to dry out the front and rear floor mats which must be holding gallons of leaked rain water! What a PITA!

FreshAir · Nov 18th, 2021, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas33139

Now my next struggle is trying to dry out the front and rear floor mats which must be holding gallons of leaked rain water! What a PITA!

Wet vacuum is your best tool here IMO. I resisted getting one, but now I have one wonder how I survived without one. Screwfix do one for sensible money, can also be used as a blower.

A de-humidifier would be perfect afterwards, but the vacuum will remove almost all the wetness if you take your time.

ferg55 · Nov 18th, 2021, 20:46

I had the same, in my rear footwell. I didn't have a wet vac, so each night I left a dry folded bath towel in the footwell to draw the water up. This accelerated the drying time considerably once the towel (now damp) was removed the next morning and the footwell left to dry in the sun. Luckily it was summer, but even so it took a while to dry, about a week.

Amoore · Nov 19th, 2021, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas33139

Just been to the local independent Volvo specialist. It was indeed the windscreen. Obviously when I checked the windscreen I didn't push out hard enough for fear of breaking or cracking the windscreen. Anyway, when he did it, he pushed out with more force and there was an obvious gap of about 1 cm.

Booked in for screen replacement next Thursday. Now my next struggle is trying to dry out the front and rear floor mats which must be holding gallons of leaked rain water! What a PITA!

my local volvo dealer did at least dry out the carpets and foam underneath for free as a goodwill gesture. May be worth trying your arm. Its an easy job for them as they have the paint drying rooms.

Vegas33139 · Nov 19th, 2021, 12:09

Well, the front drivers side carpets have been up against a radiator for a week. That feels nice and dry. As for the rear carpets, I've had a warm blower on them for 24 hours. I think that's also dry now as well.

The questions is..........................now that the source of the leak has been confirmed, do I put the carpets back in now, or wait for the new windscreen.

I've had the leaking corner of the windscreen duck taped up for the last few days with absolutely no water coming in despite it raining - it does that a lot on Dartmoor!. Decisions decisions!

Sods law predicts what will happen if I put them in before the new screen goes in!

Nov 10th, 2021, 15:28	#1
Vegas33139 New Member Last Online: Dec 12th, 2021 06:58 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Tavistock	Aghh - the dreaded water ingress into the drivers footwell Good Morning, After some heavy rain over Dartmoor, I jumped into my 2011 Xc70 to the sound of squishy carpets under my feet!. I couldn't see any obvious dripping so I decided to remove the front carpet (what a fight that was!) to reveal the sound-proofing around the bonnet release catch area a darker colour. On further inspection it was found to be dripping wet. (see attached image) If anyone can give me some advice on where to start looking, I'd be eternally grateful. Last edited by Vegas33139; Nov 10th, 2021 at 15:54.

Nov 10th, 2021, 15:42	#2
Adderross94 Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:00 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Aberdeenshire	Hi there it’s probably the windscreen bonding that’s failed very common problem on the p3 generation of Volvos assuming that yours still has its original windscreen. Fix is to get the windscreen resealed or get it replaced through insurance. If your xc70 has a sunroof it could be blocked drains that’s causing the water to drain back into the cabin, could be a mixture of both the bonding failure and the sunroof drains being blocked. __________________ Current: 2007 Volvo V70 D5 SE Geartronic 137,000 miles 2008 Volvo S80 D5 SE Geartronic 10,100miles Previous: 2016 Volvo V40 D4 R-Design 190bhp now Polestar to 200 bhp 40,000 miles Sold 2007 Volvo C30 T5 SE Sport 101,000 miles Sold Last edited by Adderross94; Nov 10th, 2021 at 15:48.

Nov 10th, 2021, 15:53	#4
Adderross94 Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:00 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Aberdeenshire	No problem can be annoying trying to source a leak. Had that problem In my c30 and v70 one with blocked drains and the other with failed bonding. You could also try to push the windscreen on both sides from inside to see if the screen lifts away from the body that’s how I found mine was faulty might be worth a try 👍 __________________ Current: 2007 Volvo V70 D5 SE Geartronic 137,000 miles 2008 Volvo S80 D5 SE Geartronic 10,100miles Previous: 2016 Volvo V40 D4 R-Design 190bhp now Polestar to 200 bhp 40,000 miles Sold 2007 Volvo C30 T5 SE Sport 101,000 miles Sold

Nov 19th, 2021, 12:09	#10
Vegas33139 New Member Last Online: Dec 12th, 2021 06:58 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Tavistock	Well, the front drivers side carpets have been up against a radiator for a week. That feels nice and dry. As for the rear carpets, I've had a warm blower on them for 24 hours. I think that's also dry now as well. The questions is..........................now that the source of the leak has been confirmed, do I put the carpets back in now, or wait for the new windscreen. I've had the leaking corner of the windscreen duck taped up for the last few days with absolutely no water coming in despite it raining - it does that a lot on Dartmoor!. Decisions decisions! Sods law predicts what will happen if I put them in before the new screen goes in! __________________ 2011 XC70 - 65k miles. Meh, it's not run in yet!

Nov 12th, 2021, 10:22	#5
Amoore New Member Last Online: Sep 9th, 2022 11:39 Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Norwich	will most likely be the top bond on the windscreen. mine didn't even have any! cost me the excess on my windscreen insurance which was less risky than giving volvo £420 if they crack the windscreen on replacement!

Nov 18th, 2021, 20:46	#8
ferg55 Senior Member Last Online: Jul 4th, 2023 12:54 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: oxford	I had the same, in my rear footwell. I didn't have a wet vac, so each night I left a dry folded bath towel in the footwell to draw the water up. This accelerated the drying time considerably once the towel (now damp) was removed the next morning and the footwell left to dry in the sun. Luckily it was summer, but even so it took a while to dry, about a week.

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