Water leak into cabin

[ianharris]

Has anyone experienced water (coolant?) leaking from the heater unit into the cabin? For a couple of years now I have been plagued by a persistent/recurring pool of brown water in the driver's side footwell, even though the car has not been out in the rain or even washed (!) for well over a year. I mop it up and next time I get the car out it's back. Unless a quantity of old rain water is being stored somewhere in a void to come out into the footwell when I drive the car, the ony possible ongoing source I can think of is the heater. Is it possible/likely? thanks, all. Ian

[kev100]

If you taste the water (I know not pleasant), but a little on your finger, you will know if it is either rainwater or coming from the coolant system, coolant has a very specific taste

[mole42]

On my car the heater developed a leak where the pipes from the bulkhead are soldered into the matrix. Unfortunately, it's not an easy fix, the heater needs to be removed :-(

[ianharris]

On my car the heater developed a leak where the pipes from the bulkhead are soldered into the matrix. Unfortunately, it's not an easy fix, the heater needs to be removed :-(

Thanks, and did the water end up in the driver's footwell? I'm guessing my leak, if there is one, would be cabin-side of the bulkhead, so presumably similar

[mole42]

Thanks, and did the water end up in the driver's footwell? I'm guessing my leak, if there is one, would be cabin-side of the bulkhead, so presumably similar

Yes, the right hand side (on heater cars, not aircon) where the pipes enter and exit the heater and where the heater valve is located.

[MandM]

Could just be the heater valve leaking, do a search on here as their has been some problems with new ones, being to big I think?

[jbuckl]

Use an ultra violet torch to look for coolant leaks.

3 quid from eBay.

Most likley its coolant and or rainwater on rhs and rainwater only on left.

Heater valve is a straight forward fix

Heater out is more involved but easier than a modern car.

wiper spindle seals are a possibility for rainwater leaks.

windscreen rubber is another possibility

[ianharris]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions; some good things for me to look into - cheers, i

[Robmsharp]

I had this issue and it turned out to be a badly fitted inspection cover (for the gearbox reverse switch).