How is the water getting into my 850?

I have an M reg 850 Estate. My car has suddenly developed a severe water leak, after a heavy fall of rain, the water can be nearly an inch deep in the driver's side rear footwell. I have checked all the door and window seals and they seem to be in good order and quite dry.I have lifted the carpet around the doors and although they are getting a bit damp, they are not as wet as I would have expected if the water were getting in that way. The roof seems dry, and I have poured water into the sunroof channels and it all seems to run away harmlessly at the rear of the car. Thr front drivers carpet has now become very wet, but this seems to be spreading from the back. Neverthless since I park in my drive which is slightly uphill, I have poured water around the air intakes, and no water seems to be entering from the front. Has anybody out there had similar problems?
Keith

[cootuk]

How about drying it all off, then sitting inside while someone plays a hosepipe over the car?

Hi,
Thanks, I haven't tried the hosepipe idea, I'll give it a go. However, I have waited in the car during a heavy rainfall, and could see nothing; I have a suspicion that its somehow entering under the carpets where it's not obvious, and everytime I mop the water up it rains again and I'm back to square one. I've got a horrible feeling that the carpets will have to come up before the leak can be traced, and I don't fancy that idea. I suppose I'll end up taking it to the dealers. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a try.
Keith

[cootuk]

Wasn't there a problem with some 850 body shells cracking?

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/850_body.htm
"There have been a few cases of 850 estate bodyshells cracking around the D pillars (the one immediately behind the rear door). At our 'informant's' garage it is, apparently, normal practice during a service to check for this by lifting the interior trim. Apparently the lower portion is the most likely culprit."

To let in inches of water I would imagine there would have to be a fairly substantial gap somewhere.
Is your boot dry?

Hi,
Yes, the boot is perfectly dry.
Keith.

[markas]

Hi ya,

Does the car smell inside of coolant ? as you may have a slow leaking heater matrix ?

Other places to check are the rub seal around the steering column in case its coming though there. In the engine bay there are run off hoses located just above the rack seal.

You said that you had checked the sunroof run offs did this include the fronts as these run down the A pillar ?

The last thing you could do is remove the trim under the wipers and see in the sealing around the base of the windscreen looks good.

Mark

check the scuttle (bit under the wipers at top of bonnet) drains - they often get clogged with leaves and stuff allowing the water to build up and get in through the bulkhead.

Steve