Hello.

I've owned my 2005 XJ8 VDP for about three years and last year the rear offside passenger footwell (LHD car) was soaked. When I removed the plush mat, water poured from it and it took my wet/dry vacuum to get the water out of the footwell. This was the only area that was wet. There was no sign of water in the headliner or anywhere else in the car. I thought it might be the sunroof and took a hose and soaked the car but no water leaked in. I've checked and cleaned the door and trunk seals and all appears well.

Last Saturday we had 8 inches of snow and when I went to used the car yesterday, after the snow had melted, I found the plush mat and the carpet wet in the same rear footwell but not as soaked as before.

Just now, I've taken the hose and run it around the door seals, trunk seal and sunroof and no water got in. I'm stumped and would appreciate and guidance as to the cause and how to fix.

Thanks all.

Stephen

 

I remember a previous thread about this ages ago, was that yours ?, if not maybe do a search for it as I cannot remember if there was a solution found.
It may possibly have been in the UK forum if you cannot find it on the US one

 

No. That wasn't me. This is my first post about it. It did do a search but it was a different problem.

 

Ah, ok thanks for that, best of luck in finding the source of the problem

 

Hi Stephen,

I can't remember if I sent you the link to these TSBs, but it would be worth checking all the relevant potential leak points they mention:

Cheers,

Don

 

I have seen this before on this forum and it was not easy to sort.

I suggest you remove the carpet in that area-it may help trace the source.

 

Had the same issue with my 04.

Pull back the rubber seal for the rear passenger door, get clear marine silicone sealant and fill in the gaps (body) from the top of the door down the side to the floor. Just run your finger down the panel and let the sealant fill in. No need to over do it, just flush.

Give it an hour or so to tack up then put the rubber seal back on.

Look at that TSB on water ingress and check all. I performed all fixes, whether they applied or not and my interior was bone dry ever since.

Also, check sunroof drains (2 rear, 2 front) with a flex wire, also pour hot water very slowly if drains are clear you will see/hear water hitting floor. No hoses! those drain channels cannot hold that much water...

 

Thanks Don. How are you my friend? It's always something eh?

 

Thank you ABONANO. I'll give that a shot tomorrow. Ace Hardware sell Marine silicone.

 

It is definitely always something!

 

One of the cheapest fixes employed on my 04 xj8... Also, check the recess area underneath the pollen filter in the engine bay and the opposite side too. Make sure those drains are cleared of leaves and I always poured hot water down those channels monthly to wash out accumulated soot, dirt, etc.

The passenger side is the biggy as if that drain cogs up you will get water ingress in your PCM...

 

I had the same problem a few years back. It was the sunroof drain. The water only accumulated as I was driving in rain with the sunroof closed. Apparently it got sucked in past the seals and finding one or more drains blocked it migrated to the L rear floor.

Do not attempt to blow out completely clogged drains with compressed air as you risk blowing off the drain tubes from the sunroof assembly and then you got real trouble.

After you get some amount of drain flow with soap and water you can carefully apply compressed air. The drain in my case exited the car in the r rear finder well. The gunk that came out was impressive.

 

I was re reading this post and thinking about that rubber seal when I read Abonano's post.

It's all there in my grey matter, it's just finding it!

 

+1 on sunroof drain.

-mag

 

After I wet the drain tube a bit, I use a spline weed wacker line to clean them out by hand. After the bright orange line exits the tube, I attach a drill and SLOWLY spin the line. Sort of like a drain snake. It cleans the sides of the tube, then run some water thu it.
Also if your drain line has come detached, you will know it before you dump water onto your headliner. If the line doesn't exit where it should, don't pour water into the sunroof channel.