The water inside the car – a nasty surprise!
Have you found water inside your car after a rainstorm or after washing it and don’t know where it came from?
Or is it a sunny day, and the car mats are wet?
Finding any liquid on the car’s floor is not very pleasant. It means there is a leak somewhere that needs to be investigated. Determining whether the leak is due to rainwater or a leaking component inside the vehicle is crucial. The latter may require more complex repairs, especially involving the engine. Otherwise, electrical circuits or mechanical parts may fail, and the car interior may be invaded by rust, mould, fungus, and bad smells.
Common reasons for car leaks and how to deal with them:
Weather stripping leaks: Weather stripping is the rubber lining that seals the car’s doors and windows and prevents outside elements such as rain, snow, wind and pests from reaching the inside of your vehicle. Car weather stripping wear is often due to age or exposure to extreme heat, harsh sunlight or extreme cold. If the material is brittle, loose, compressed, torn, or frayed, it probably needs replacement.
Leaky sunroof: The metal structure of the sunroof contains drainage holes that channel rainwater underneath the car. However, these drainage holes can become clogged with dirt and leaves, causing water to seep into the passenger compartment. A service expert can check where the drainage pipe passes and free it or repair any damage to prevent leakage.
Leaking door gasket: Doors have rubber linings around the edges to prevent water from entering the vehicle. Over time, these seals can dry out, allowing water to enter. If the seals are worn, or the adhesives have failed, they must be replaced immediately to prevent leakage.
Car drain holes clogged: All cars have water drainage holes in various areas to facilitate efficient rainwater draining and prevent accumulation. Accumulated rainwater can cause damage to a car if it seeps into the interior. However, these drainage holes may become clogged by dirt, leaves, gravel, or other road debris, and they need to be periodically unclogged to ensure proper drainage.
Windshield seals: The front and rear windshields have rubber seals that can become damaged and cause water to enter the car. It is important to replace this seal carefully because if it is not fitted correctly, it is easy for leaks to occur.
Damaged door membrane: The rubber ‘membrane’ inside car doors keeps them waterproof. Water can seep into the car if this membrane dries out or becomes detached. Replacing the rubber seal when damaged can help keep the membrane in good condition, and minor peeling can be repaired using waterproof tape.
Heater core problem: A faulty heater core can cause a coolant mixture to leak onto the car, creating a puddle and fogging the windscreen as the coolant generates steam. In addition, you will smell a stench when the car heats up. This component can be challenging to access, but replacement is often the only option to solve the problem.
Defective A/C evaporator: A leak under the car can be caused by a clogged air conditioning evaporator drain. When the air conditioning system blows cold air and pulls warm air out of the passenger compartment, condensation can form and leak, wetting the floor over time.
Air cabin filter: If the air filter in the engine compartment is not installed correctly, water may leak into the cabin. To solve this problem, get a mechanic to replace the entire set.
Conclusion
Water leaks inside the car can cause significant damage if left unchecked, so it is important to identify and fix them quickly. Our team can help you solve any water leakage problem. Preventing water from entering the car is essential to avoid damage to the electrical system, rust and mould growth.
Do you need professional service?
OR
Among the causes that can trigger water ingress into the car, there is something you can fix yourself! The drain holes! You can check and clean these holes regularly, especially in car doors and windscreen scuttle panels. These drain holes are the ones that clog most frequently, so they need to be checked and cleaned most often.
Another thing you can do is always to keep the windows and doors’ rubber seals clean to make them last as long as possible. Every time you wash the car, you should clean and let them dry thoroughly by keeping the doors open until completely dry. Then, occasionally, you could apply a silicone spray or paste that will protect and restore car rubber parts.
In the video below, you can see the damages caused by clogged drain holes!
On our YouTube channel, you can see the damages caused by the clogged windscreen scuttle draining holes on a Renault Trafic:
