QuestionQUESTION: Hello - I just bought my Ford Focus and did not realize the back passenger side floor was completely soaked with water. My first thought was that the girl I bought it from might have dumped a gallon of water accidentally behind the front seat. Well, it did not dry out after 3 weeks. Finding this web-site I get the hint this is a common problem. I already ripped out the complete carpet and padding on that side to get rid of the water. Now what do I do? How can I re-install new carpet and padding? Please help.
Thank you!
ANSWER: Tabitha,
Did you have a chance to locate and fix the water leak concern?
Thanks,
Drew Young
Auto-Water-Leaks.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: No. I examined all the rubber tub seals around the doors. They all seem to be brand new. Since the car is a year 2000 model I sincerely doubt these are the original ones. I also forgot to mention that the rear passenger seatbelt buckle is rusted (same side as the water on the floor). Also, when I sit in the rear seat, I can't get out the door. Someone needs to open it for me from the outside. My thought was a leak between the rear window and the cargo window. Like I mentioned, the rubber seal around the door is brand new. How long can a carpet stay soaked like that without drying out by itself? I have had the car for 4 weeks and as I ripped out the carpet it was as wet as when I noticed it 20 days ago. Everything else is dry, though.
AnswerTabitha,
Things that can leak on a 2000 focus:
1)Inner door panel splash shield.This you will find behind the interior door panel.The water leaks past the shield and builds at the bottom inside of the door going on to the inside floor.When the door panel is removed it is a good idea to look at the speaker housing gasket as this could also be leaking into the same area. Based on the fact that your door is not working from the inside,I can assume somebody was working in that area at some point in time and did not hook up the door latch release cable that is connected to the handle.
2)You might have had excessive water entering your fresh air intake.
This can come from the fresh air intake tower that is under your right side cowl screen.The tower is held in place by 2 -studs with 10mm nuts.You would have to remove the 10mm nuts and lift the tower out over the studs. I have repaired many of these foam type gaskets on the tower because of the problem you are describing.
Also, if your right side cowl screen has any type of warp in it, it too, will have to be replaced because it will allow excessive water past the cowl screen seal.You would have to also look at the e-vap case drain gasket that is against the bulkhead.With age,the gasket shrinks and allows water draining from your A/C box to follow the tube into the car.These things that I described would allow water to enter the heater box and leak water into the car at the bulkhead area.Meaning,your right front floor matting would be wet also.
3)Check the trunk area inside the car under the matting and spare well area.Make sure this area is dry.A body seam could be leaking in the rear of the car and showing up on your rear floor pan.
