Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > Ford Australia Vehicles > Small and Mid Sized Cars > Focus

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-03-2021, 01:23 PM   #1
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Leaky LV

My wife drives a 2010 LV II LX Manual that we've had from new. On the whole, it has been a great little commuter car and still has plenty of life left in it (hasn't hit 100k km yet).

About 3 years back the driver's footwell got saturated and the car got very stinky.
A local mechanic had a look and found that the gutter under the windscreen wipers was full of schmutz and the drain was blocked - he cleared out the drain hose but didn't find anything else wrong. This mostly fixed it - in that it could handle moderate amounts of rain or hand washing... but being out in heavy rain or automated carwashing would make it a bit wet and the stink would return. Not a huge amount of water though so fairly easy to dry out again.
It has mostly been parked inside and we haven't had a lot of rain since then so had let it be.
We took it to an autoglass place who hit it with a firehose and couldn't see any leaks (but the next day it got stinky and wet under the carpet).

We've had a few storms lately so it is back on the to-fix list...

It was in for a service last week and the mechanic tried a smoke test - but couldn't find anything. He suggested the next step would be to pull the dash out to try to find the leak (but found it hard to recommend this on a car that's not worth much).

So I thought I'd put some feelers out here - from what I can gather on other forums, it's fairly common to have a leak somewhere on the bulkhead. Do you guys have any tips on how to find where it might be? Or who would be best to help us find it (panel beaters?). Has anyone else been down the same path?

It would be a shame to give up on the car over something this minor - but it is really driving her nuts!
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 06-03-2021, 08:40 PM   #2
Franco Cozzo
Thailand Specials
 
Franco Cozzo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 48,228
Default Re: Leaky LV

My car leaks from the rear taillights and both rear quarter glass into the boot - everything in the boot gets saturated when you go through a auto car wash or drive it in heavy rain, it started doing it shortly out of warranty period.

You'd wash it and the seals behind the quarter glass would deteroriate and leave black streaks down the side of the car, until they completely deteriorated and there's nothing to leave black streaks down the car anymore.

I never bothered to get it fixed cause its in the boot

Water leaks are a real pain in the *** to find, the only way is the garden hose, huge volume of water and get yourself into the footwell to see where its coming from, if you can't see it then its a dash out job and given what it would cost its not economical to do.

If you take the dash out, then replace the heater core while you're there as its a common failure on LV that they also leak.

If the A pillars are rusty thats another cause of water leaks causing the driver side carpet to get absolutely saturated - it gets in then goes down the inside of the A pillar into the carpet - windscreen out job to check, is cheaper than pulling the dash.
Franco Cozzo is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 07-03-2021, 04:01 PM   #3
bb_zetec
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Qld
Posts: 403
Default Re: Leaky LV

Two Cars ive had water leaks in were the below causes:

FG Ute - Windscreen. It was replaced and there was a small pocket that had not been filled with the urethane and caused a leak. It only happened in heavy rain and took a while to build up inside under the carpet. The leak was only visible after i removed the entire seats/carpet and centre console and hosed around the windscreen and watched it to see where it dribbled down from.

With the carpet inside id never see it.

Got the windscreen removed and resealed and it fixed it.

PH Courier - A wiring grommet was torn in the firewall and the water would wick its way down the wiring loom and then into the interior under the carpet. Bit of silastic fixed that.

My suggestion would be to remove the seats and carpet and put the seats back in so you can still use the car.

The carpet will be mouldy underneath now so its good to take it out and give it a good airing. Some of the insulation will be so wet it will have to be thrown away. Its burlap type crap that soaks up and never dries.

You can always get the windscreen removed and resealed...although there is a risk the screen will get broken in the process. Try the hose around the windscreen after the carpet is removed and see how you go.

Put the hose on low and dribble it around the entire edge...it might take a while for the leak to show up.
__________________
2015 FGX XR6T Ute
- Aero Blue - Leather Trim - 6 Speed Manual

1966 Mustang Convertible - Wimbledon White
- 289ci Windsor - C4 Auto - Power Hydraulic Roof / Factory AC

Previous Fords:
- 2012 FGII XR6 Manual Ute - Kinetic - 1984 XF Fairmont Ghia - Olympic Gold - 1987 XF S Pak - White- 1994 ED Falcon Classic V8 - Polynesian Green - 1999 AU1 Falcon S - Hot Chilli Red
- 2009 LV Focus Zetec 5sp Manual - Black Sapphire
bb_zetec is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-03-2021, 08:18 AM   #4
Rs31markie
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 88
Default Re: Leaky LV

Hi, just a thought I’ve had a similar fault with my LT focus. Drivers footwell soaking wet, traced my problem to blocked air con drain tube, it filled the whole heater box up with water until it ran out where the heater matrix is fitted. Not saying this is ur problem but it very easy to check.
Rs31markie is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 08-03-2021, 08:50 AM   #5
foxtrot3
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
foxtrot3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,314
Tech Writer: Recognition for the technical writers of AFF - Issue reason: Technical articles. 
Default Re: Leaky LV

Hi. I remember finding a leak on a TE cortina above the B pillar where the roof panel wasn't fitted properly and not sealed there. hoseing the screen and firewall did nothing to find the leak but a little water on the roof would flood the drivers footwell. It pays to look everywhere above the leak, not just near it. Cheers MD
__________________


HI

I'M MICHAEL

2003 ACID RUSH BA FUTURA WAGON

light up window switches | auto on cruise control | doubleclick window lift from remote
foxtrot3 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-03-2021, 11:04 PM   #6
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

Thanks for the input all

99% sure it's not air con or the heater matrix (been around those loops a few times) - but certainly worth a mention.

It has gotten a bit worse - which in a way is good because we can see drips now which might help track them down -> https://imgur.com/gallery/qsriDAN

I took it to a smash repair place last week and they reckon there's a good chance it's the windscreen. The windscreen did leak from new and it took ford 2 goes to sort it out, so I wouldn't be surprised if they bodged something way back then and never really got it right.

Sounds like a sensible path is to remove some trim around the A pillar and see if we can notice any source now that it has gotten worse, then maybe look at pulling the windscreen, inspecting and re-fitting.
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-03-2021, 11:38 AM   #7
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

Quote:
Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo View Post
If the A pillars are rusty thats another cause of water leaks causing the driver side carpet to get absolutely saturated - it gets in then goes down the inside of the A pillar into the carpet - windscreen out job to check, is cheaper than pulling the dash.

.... I think you might have cracked it.

Had a closer look up the top of the A pillar and found this rusty section with a channel right next to it. Wouldn't be surprised if the bastard's running down the A pillar from there?

https://imgur.com/gallery/brni5Rr
https://imgur.com/gallery/0D35ilb
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-03-2021, 11:52 AM   #8
marg99
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 803
Default Re: Leaky LV

One of my cars had windscreen replaced and they scratched the paint so it rusted just at the edge of the sealant and eventually a hole in the pillar
marg99 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-03-2021, 12:02 PM   #9
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

I pulled back some of the trim in that area and there's a ****load of sikaflex all over it that isn't on the other side. Looks like when Ford 'fixed' the leaky screen when it was new, they bodged it, and eventually it rusted.
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-03-2021, 02:14 PM   #10
bb_zetec
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Qld
Posts: 403
Default Re: Leaky LV

Unfortunately those LV's were South African Built.

Ours was so poorly built we ended up trading it in and getting rid of it.

Ford couldnt fix anything properly and i even had to get Ford CRC involved as the dealer tried to remove responsibility under warranty.

As ive said ours was built on a public holiday long weekend during Octoberfest if you get what i mean...
__________________
2015 FGX XR6T Ute
- Aero Blue - Leather Trim - 6 Speed Manual

1966 Mustang Convertible - Wimbledon White
- 289ci Windsor - C4 Auto - Power Hydraulic Roof / Factory AC

Previous Fords:
- 2012 FGII XR6 Manual Ute - Kinetic - 1984 XF Fairmont Ghia - Olympic Gold - 1987 XF S Pak - White- 1994 ED Falcon Classic V8 - Polynesian Green - 1999 AU1 Falcon S - Hot Chilli Red
- 2009 LV Focus Zetec 5sp Manual - Black Sapphire
bb_zetec is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 15-03-2021, 03:43 PM   #11
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

Honestly, we've had hardly any issues with it... leaky tail light fixed under warranty, and this leaky screen and that's about it. Certainly never left us stranded, and just needed the usual maintenance along the way.

Here's a little show and tell - https://imgur.com/a/LRuxceK

Basically they ran Sikaflex right the way up the driver's side edge (where it was leaking) then put a big dollop in the channel at the top. That causes water to pool, hence the rust.
I'm livid... this is not an appropriate fix for what was a brand new car - and I have spent way too much time trying to hunt this down over the years.
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 16-03-2021, 01:47 PM   #12
Fast Eddie
Motorsport Guru
 
Fast Eddie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Blue Mountains, N.S.W.
Posts: 1,677
Default Re: Leaky LV

The MkI's had issues with the panel between the base of the windscreen and bonnet where the Pollen Filter is located. When you replaced the filter and don't correctly seal the panel you'll get water in the footwell. And this is the German-built Focus.
__________________
Interior Enhancements: Footwell Lighting, Brushed Alum. H/brake Handle, 6 Disc In-Dash System.

Exterior Enhancements: ST170 Wheels, Richbrook Shorty Aerial, Euro-Spec Hatch Handle.

Performance Enhancements: Ate Callipers/EBC Rotors/EBC Greens Stuff Pads, ST170 Suspension, Herrod's Custom Tune, Ford Racing Coated Exhaust Manifold & Bespoke 2.25in Exhaust.

Awards: AFD '07 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '09 EFOC Best Focus, SFS '10 RSOC O/all Best Focus, AFD '10 CFC O/all Best Focus.
Fast Eddie is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 14-04-2021, 05:01 PM   #13
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

For those playing along at home - it's all a lot more clear now that the windscreen is out.

The top corner is rusted pretty badly, sealant was applied inside and out all over, fairly clear that the windscreen has never been out.

Basically, the dealer bodged it up, it was never fixed properly - so no wonder it continued to give us grief down the track.

https://imgur.com/a/mgBd4ME
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-04-2021, 07:14 PM   #14
290v
290v
 
290v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,220
Default Re: Leaky LV

check the wiring position on the rear tail lights had my daughters leaking into the boot ended up being the wires on the tail light not sitting right behind the light water was running down the cables and into the boot





Quote:
Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo View Post
My car leaks from the rear taillights and both rear quarter glass into the boot - everything in the boot gets saturated when you go through a auto car wash or drive it in heavy rain, it started doing it shortly out of warranty period.

You'd wash it and the seals behind the quarter glass would deteroriate and leave black streaks down the side of the car, until they completely deteriorated and there's nothing to leave black streaks down the car anymore.

I never bothered to get it fixed cause its in the boot

Water leaks are a real pain in the *** to find, the only way is the garden hose, huge volume of water and get yourself into the footwell to see where its coming from, if you can't see it then its a dash out job and given what it would cost its not economical to do.

If you take the dash out, then replace the heater core while you're there as its a common failure on LV that they also leak.

If the A pillars are rusty thats another cause of water leaks causing the driver side carpet to get absolutely saturated - it gets in then goes down the inside of the A pillar into the carpet - windscreen out job to check, is cheaper than pulling the dash.
__________________
BA GT 2003 Silhouette
4 Speed Auto
290v is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-04-2021, 07:16 PM   #15
290v
290v
 
290v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,220
Default Re: Leaky LV

check the wiring position on the rear tail lights had my daughters leaking into the boot ended up being the wires on the tail light not sitting right behind the light water was running down the cables and into the boot




Quote:
Originally Posted by TripleJ85 View Post
My wife drives a 2010 LV II LX Manual that we've had from new. On the whole, it has been a great little commuter car and still has plenty of life left in it (hasn't hit 100k km yet).

About 3 years back the driver's footwell got saturated and the car got very stinky.
A local mechanic had a look and found that the gutter under the windscreen wipers was full of schmutz and the drain was blocked - he cleared out the drain hose but didn't find anything else wrong. This mostly fixed it - in that it could handle moderate amounts of rain or hand washing... but being out in heavy rain or automated carwashing would make it a bit wet and the stink would return. Not a huge amount of water though so fairly easy to dry out again.
It has mostly been parked inside and we haven't had a lot of rain since then so had let it be.
We took it to an autoglass place who hit it with a firehose and couldn't see any leaks (but the next day it got stinky and wet under the carpet).

We've had a few storms lately so it is back on the to-fix list...

It was in for a service last week and the mechanic tried a smoke test - but couldn't find anything. He suggested the next step would be to pull the dash out to try to find the leak (but found it hard to recommend this on a car that's not worth much).

So I thought I'd put some feelers out here - from what I can gather on other forums, it's fairly common to have a leak somewhere on the bulkhead. Do you guys have any tips on how to find where it might be? Or who would be best to help us find it (panel beaters?). Has anyone else been down the same path?

It would be a shame to give up on the car over something this minor - but it is really driving her nuts!
__________________
BA GT 2003 Silhouette
4 Speed Auto
290v is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
Old 29-04-2021, 11:00 PM   #16
TripleJ85
Regular Member
 
TripleJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 156
Default Re: Leaky LV

Thanks for the thought - it is solved now..

100% certain the factory leak was never fixed, the dealer covered it up with sealant, eventually that failed -> slow leak and rust.

Had it ground back, treated with rust converter, painted, new windscreen fitted, no more leaks.

Gutted that we had this ongoing trouble because of some cut corners.
TripleJ85 is offline   Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
2 users like this post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 07:28 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL