The driver's side footwell in my Mk1 Punto was sopping wet under the mat today...seemed to be more towards the middle of the car than round the door...I'm assuming some sort of seal somewhere? It rained really hard yesterday and the car was stood all day on the street...Ideas? And no I haven't spilled anything

Could be the Heater Matrix that normally leaves your footwells wet.

i would hope that its as simple as the seal around the windscreen , there has been a post about that in the last couple of days , but would check level in radiator as this model seems prone to leaking heater matrix which will be a real pain to sort, also a few posts about htat as well

Is there anyway of checking if it's the heater matrix? It had a new rad not long ago if that makes any difference...how much would this cost to fix as I plan to sell the car next month and don't really want to be spending money on it?

If it was the windscreen, wouldn't the dash be wet?

Like Jaybee said you need to check coolant level in radiator header tank to see if it lower than normal, this will show that you've got a leak. If you can get to the carpet directly below your heater matrix (middle of dash/console) then see if it's wet and if possible taste it (dab your finger in it), if it tastes sweet then it is a leaking matrix (antifreeze in the coolant tastes sweet). My windscreen is leaking at the moment, how I know is because when I close the drivers door the top middle part of the windscreen lifts. I have got to get the window removed then replaced Thursday to put this right.

Thanks...I'll take a look next time I drive the car in the light

Any other advice?

sounds most likely to be the heater matrix. Do you have a sunroof?

Yes, sunroof...but surely the seats etc would be wet if that was leaking

So what's the damage if it is the heater matrix? Heating and AC work fine if that is important

not so much the cost of heater matrix, but it involves removal of entire dashboard and surround ,so unless you know someone can do it for you then garage labour costs will be a real killer, so be sure this is the real problem before you go ahead

Oh

It has been suggested that it could just be a collection of cr*p at the back of the bonnet stopping water draining away except into the cabin...time to don the marigolds This would tie in with the fact it became obvious after heavy rain

Vickster said:

Yes, sunroof...but surely the seats etc would be wet if that was leaking

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No. The bravos have problems with the sunroof leaking, the drain holes usually need building up to accomodate the amount of water that flows. Its a known trouble for the bravo, but with the punto i would say that it is probably the heater matrix as they dont suffer with the sunroof issue like the bravos.

I have just recently had this problem.

Mine was the Heater Matrix, my carpet was sopping in the drivers side and all the water I was putting in was dissapearing very quickly.

I took mine to the garage to be fixed, total bill was £347 but this included new radiator fan and some melted wiring was replaced.

I'd get it looked at soon, I put it off taking it to the garage then blew my head gasket whilst I had this problem, not good, that cost me a further £350!

Good luck!

£350

I now have newspaper soaking up the water ... I am hoping that it was just heavy rain...topped up the water which was low but not surprised...will see if it dries out and the paper gets wet again

Hello,

Had exact same problem on my Active 03, wet in the drivers footwell, by the console, handbrake and even in the back behind my seat. Mine was a dodgy door seal, 50 pounds to fix including trying to find out what it was.

Hope this helps.

i now have a wet drivers footwell also mainly towards center of car. i will check the fluid levels tomorrow but the water coming out of mines seems clear and odourless like plane water not like coolant allthouvh i havent tasted it lol. will look into it tomorrow hopefully gonna get the carpet up and dry ouit the insulation wich really hold the water in. then will get a hose pipe and run it oever diff area of the car hopefully i will find something out lol

The bit of carpet by up on the centre console isn't wet, so I'm guessing not the heater matrix (hopefully). I am waiting for the carpet to dry out now

read a post the other day that said to check around the rubber that surrounds arial as that can be a source of water getting in ,sounds sensible

Thanks...given how wet the carpet was, if this is the culprit, it must have poured in missing the seats etc

It rained again last night, will see if the newspaper is wet

Vickster said:

Thanks...given how wet the carpet was, if this is the culprit, it must have poured in missing the seats etc

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you seem convinced that a leak will mean whatever is directly under it will get wet. thats not true at all.

if your sunroof or aerial or windscreen leaks the water will not drip below the leak, the water will run down the a pillars, behind the dash, and into the foot well(s). there would be nothing to indicate where the leak is, all you notice is a wet carpet. trust me.

To clear away leaves etc at back of the bonnet you need to remove wiper arms and the plastic trim that spans across the engine bay held by about 8 screws (easy enough to do).
I got my screen removed the other day and then refitted for £40 and it appears to have solved my leaks. I recommend going to an RAC windscreen place and talk to one of the fitters and they will do this for you.