Member Since: 02 Oct 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 185
Not a common problem I think? Water in footwell
I came back from Scotland fantastic time!! I noticed the passenger footwell was wet on a few heavy rainy days! First, of many jobs, I thought to myself, but hey, I own a D4! So I have spent the day investigating the issues. I crossed off the following.
Both sunroof drains were working as they should, with 4L of water on either side, and both came out with a steady, consistent flow of water.
The front passenger carpet was also half up to check if the water came in.
I then checked the pollen filter, which was bone dry.
I soaked the windscreen for 10 minutes with no sign of any water.
The last check was the A-pillar the top clip came out too quickly! And there were marks on the paintwork underneath the A-pillar. Defiantly someone has been there due to the marks. At the bottom of the A-pillar, I noticed an empty hole with no corresponding clip. I found the problem!! I poured 1L of water down it hoping to see water flood the footwell, but nothing came in. All the water came out of the drain hole in the door!
Then I tried the top hole where the first clip sits, started to pour and bingo!! Water came through.
I'm glad I found the problem, but I wonder why it happened. Granted, the clip and the foam washer weren't sung, Are the clips the correct ones on there?
And it looks like the weather foam strips around the cover itself look very worn.
19th Aug 2023 5:45 pm
bdc6570
Member Since: 02 Oct 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 185
Just checked on AF, they do show the current clips on the car but also show another one,
LR077843 KIT - FIXING PARTS - A PILLAR
19th Aug 2023 5:52 pm
kajtzu
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6575
Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 6575
Officially the A pillar trim clips are onetime use only. Pilkington glass repair centers have a note for the D3/D4 that previous trim clips must be discarded and new ones applied when the trim is removed.
19th Aug 2023 7:09 pm
bdc6570
Member Since: 02 Oct 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 185
I’m confident the water came from the top first hole and not the last oval hole, when i poured water in the the oval hole the water came out of the drain hole on the door and none entered the car. The kit provides a cover for the oval hole. The issue was the top hole, the clips and foam washer did look very worn, im guessing the A trim has been taken off and the same clip used hence the loose seal around the clip itself!
I will change the clips and do a further test with the new clips and the oval hole blanked
19th Aug 2023 10:24 pm
bdc6570
Member Since: 02 Oct 2014
Location: Southampton
Posts: 185
New clips installed in the correct sequence, as shown in the diagram, have fixed the problem. I assume the car had a replacement windscreen, and the old/ incorrect clips were reused! It's amazing a small oversight led to a big issue and, if left unattended, could have led to much more significant problems with the car!
24th Aug 2023 8:55 am
LIAMMCL
Member Since: 27 Aug 2013
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 404
If you plan to keep the car for a while I'd recommend you lift the roof trim and Scotchbrite then Tigerseal over the factory sealer. It shrinks and cracks and shows in the form of water ingress & damp marks around the Headlining & A pillar.
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