HELP!! Drivers Side CARPETS SOAKING WET !! HARDTOP FAULT ???

[eightsandaces]

A good way to understand the nature of the problem is to get in the car and have someone spray it with a hose...

[loxleyboxter]

Thanks again , very helpful. Does anyone think that because the car has been outside for 8 weeks in freezing conditions, covered in snow and ice, that the seals on the Hardtop could have maybe shrunk and let water in ?
The hardtop has never leaked before when it has rained in summer, and i did see some water around the centre roof latch during the cold weather.But could a tiny drip cause SO much saturation to the carpets ??especially under the R/H Seat.
Is there a product available to apply to the hardtop seals prior to fitting for the winter that provides a waterproof seal ?

I have to check the drains first, but if these are clear then it has to be the Hardtop seals . yes ??

[schoir]

Originally Posted by loxleyboxter

Thanks again , very helpful. Does anyone think that because the car has been outside for 8 weeks in freezing conditions, covered in snow and ice, that the seals on the Hardtop could have maybe shrunk and let water in ?
The hardtop has never leaked before when it has rained in summer, and i did see some water around the centre roof latch during the cold weather.But could a tiny drip cause SO much saturation to the carpets ??especially under the R/H Seat.
Is there a product available to apply to the hardtop seals prior to fitting for the winter that provides a waterproof seal ?

I have to check the drains first, but if these are clear then it has to be the Hardtop seals . yes ??

No! As was quoted below, there is also the possibility that water is getting in past the rubber membrane under the door panel. This is especially true if the membrane was not properly adhered to the inner metal door skin when, for example, a window regulator was replaced.

You can check this without removing the door panel by monitoring whether any moisture is building up on the lowest horizontal portion of the door panel and/or on the carpet on the inner part of the door sill.

Regards, Maurice.

[Gougoushu]

I had/have this problem. It can be tough to figure it out, even after clearing the drains as noted. My nearby Porsche shop [someone recommends them in the sticky, but they aren't actually very good at solving problems ....] couldn't figure it out in my car.

Is the water in front of the driver's seat, or behind it? Or both?

Try a carwash where you can ride in the car, and look all around during the rinse cycle.

Some other ideas & places to look:

The drain near the battery [access via front trunk]. That's what yours sounds like. Download the service manual from one of the Boxster sites [i used boxa.net] and find the diagram of the drain locations. Not a great drawing, but it's a start.

Is the rear foam drain shell tucked UNDER the sheet metal at its top edge? After a repair, sometimes it isn't tucked in properly. Water can get in that way. I'm not sure your hardtop would route water around this.

Were either of your convertible top motors removed? If so, that's another place water can get in.

In really heavy rains, some rain channels can overflow.

Also, a vacuum will NOT remove the water from soaked Boxster carpets. A hair dryer will, but it is really slow, and not thorough. The carpet should be removed, squeezed out, and airdried. In my case, I tore off the heavy foam, and put in folded towels instead. Drastic, yes, but much easier to deal with, and it looks OK.

Also, buy a waterproof cover for your car. Put it on when rain is expected. It might save you an expensive repair.

[landrovered]

Originally Posted by Gougoushu

Also, a vacuum will NOT remove the water from soaked Boxster carpets. A hair dryer will, but it is really slow, and not thorough.

A shop vac will not remove all of the water but it will remove a surprising amount, the OP said that when he put his hand on the carpet the water was up to his fingers. A shop vac is the place to start in this case, but we agree that evaporation is the only way to get the carpet dry.

[loxleyboxter]

Thanks again . To Answer a couple of points,

The water is in the right hand side of the car ( drivers side here in uk)
The left side carpets are dry.
The control box is under the left hand seat (thank God ! )
BOTH the front carpet, around the footwell, AND the carpet under the seat are soaked.
The majority of the water is under the seat ( a lot of water)
The car has been standing for 2 months, most of the time covered in snow/ice
The odd time I have driven it, I have noticed a few drips of water coming from the area around the roof latch, and from the top corner of the roof seal.
I didnt apply any kind of silicone sealant to the seals when I fitted the Hardtop. ( Should I have done ?)
The carpeting fitted to the lower part of the door is NOT wet.
The front luggage compartment is DRY


If I open the convertable top partly, i can see a hole either side of the foam tray. Is this where i should pour a measured amount of water in and collect it just in front of of the rear wheels to check if the drains are clear ? or do i have to remove the tray ?

WHY DO WE NEVER GET ANY SUN IN THE UK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[landrovered]

Originally Posted by loxleyboxter

WHY DO WE NEVER GET ANY SUN IN THE UK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do you think they made Spain, so Brits could see the sun!

[loxleyboxter]

Originally Posted by loxleyboxter

Thanks again . To Answer a couple of points,

The water is in the right hand side of the car ( drivers side here in uk)
The left side carpets are dry.
The control box is under the left hand seat (thank God ! )
BOTH the front carpet, around the footwell, AND the carpet under the seat are soaked.
The majority of the water is under the seat ( a lot of water)
The car has been standing for 2 months, most of the time covered in snow/ice
The odd time I have driven it, I have noticed a few drips of water coming from the area around the roof latch, and from the top corner of the roof seal.
I didnt apply any kind of silicone sealant to the seals when I fitted the Hardtop. ( Should I have done ?)
The carpeting fitted to the lower part of the door is NOT wet.
The front luggage compartment is DRY


If I open the convertable top partly, i can see a hole either side of the foam tray. Is this where i should pour a measured amount of water in and collect it just in front of of the rear wheels to check if the drains are clear ? or do i have to remove the tray ?

WHY DO WE NEVER GET ANY SUN IN THE UK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LATEST ODDS :- Blocked/damaged water drains 3/1
Leaking Hardtop seals............. 2/1
Any other suggestions 10/1


Any Takers ??