Water on driver's side floorboard

Ok, I sold my Speedster for this problem, now today I notice after driving in rain last night, the driver's side floorboard of my Spyder is splashy wet with water. It is NOT coming from overhead, as I know this area let in a minimal amount of water last night. The only place I can imagine is leaking is around the pedals. Has anyone else had this problem?? Help! v

Wow Vicki,
You actually drive in the rain? Like regularly? That's a pretty hardcore owner. My first Vintage Speedster took several days to water proof. I finally got all of the leaks. Since these cars are made in S Cal. The manufacturers usually don't get to test them in the rain. I used a hose with a sprinkler and got in the car. It was clear that the water in my speedster was actually coming up from the seatbelt anchor points. I loosened the nuts and applied a large amount of silicon behind the washers, then tightened em back up. It went away. Not sure how the seatbelts on your spyder are installed, but this may be the spot to check.
-=theron

Vicki, someoone else was posting the same issue. I think it might have been on spyderclub. There is no standard answer, using the technique that Theron discribes with a hose is a good idea. Note the areas around the footwells and the front bulkhead and the penetrations in the floor. When I put aluminum floors in I also caulked around every hole to prevent it. I won't drive in the rain though unless I get caught out.

Mike

Vicky,

Driving in the rain? Your a Badass!

I'd check for leaks around your drivers frame tube at the front and rear firewalls. The rear especially, lots of nooks and crannys that could pass water. I'd be willing to bet that there is still standing water in the little side pods to the outside of the torsion bar housings. Know what I mean? Might be a good idea to drill a few drain holes there if driving in the wet will be a regular event for you.

Note this is all questionable advice, until I ran run home and peek at my car, to refresh my memory. :)

Aaron

Well, Aaron, I've been called all kind of things from a Little Squirt to a Buff Bitch, but never a Badass. But, I kind of like that. I will have Dave, my boyfriend, call me that tonight in bed. ha

The water leakage is only a problem in the triangle that constitutes the driver's side floorboard. Otherwise, no water. The seatbelts are mounted medially and laterally to both seats toward the back, so that can't be the problem.

In my Speedster, which I sold because of this problem, there was water EVERYWHERE--in all four areas of the floorboard. I tried sealing it 3 different times to no avail. My mechanic even tried the water hose technique. It never would stop.

Looking from the inside of Spydie, it seems like the only point of entrance would have to be the pedal area, unless water is leaking from the hood. When it rains the trough in the hood where I keep my car top (in sunny weather) fills up with water. I haven't spoken with the maker yet (Beck, not God), but thought I'd get some ideas on the forum first.

Remember, this is my only car, so I drive it in all kind of weather. Thanks for all the responses!
v v

well, if it is only the drivers side and only the front floor boards, then there are a couple of spots I can think of. One is the front metal bulkhead crossmember at in front of the pedals. Water can easily enter the front of the car in the wheel wells where the suspension a nd steering come through to the tire. Another, and I don't know if you have this, is the area under the pedals. If it is a stock VW pedal assy, then the assy os bolted to the center tunnel, but there might be a pedal stop bolted or riveted to the floor. This prevents the pedals from falling towards your on their return to upright position. Lastly is the tunnel itself. You can see all of the littel screws throught the metal and the floorboard. If it was here though I would think you would see some leakage to the other footwell.

Just my thoughts.

Mike

I saw the discussion on the spyderclub but didn't think of a solution until the post was old. What about a drainage hole? Small and inconspicuous under the carpet somewhere at a low point. Saves the time and frustration of trying to seal everything up and seems to be the simplest solution.

Keith--but wouldn't a drain hole just cause most water to get in?
v

Vicki, not if it was located away from the wheels. If it had a small rubber tube attached, the amount of water going the wrong way would be nil. Also, remember to seal the edges of all holes in fiberglass with paint or something. This prevents separation of glass/resin layers due to moisture infiltration.

Grammar police: Pet peeve "your" when meaning "you are" or "you're". So many people do this today it is almost acceptable.

V- yes even if it is not near the wheels well a hole in the floor can allow water in. Case in point -I have a stock 66 bug with a small hole in the rear passenger footwell and it floods the entire left side of the floor when running in the wet stuff. The hole is midway between the wheel. None of my cars have holes in the floor. I don't agree with that solution.

Find the hole that is causeing it and seal it up. When I put window caulk on my hole in the big floorboard, the problem was solved.

Mike

As long as a drain hole is located at the lowest point at the pan water will drain out. No physicist could argue other wise. The reason your pan is holding water is because the hole(s) allowing water to come in are higher than the lowest point. I also believe that you are accumulating water on the inside while driving, not stopped. If you are accumulating water when stopped you need to look up to fix the problem. DannyP had a good idea when he said attach a short piece of hose to keep water from coming in.

Spydermike was correct that a drain hole will not keep water out and you will still get squishy carpet. A drain will keep you from getting standing water.

If you really are set on sealing the existing holes spraying with a water hose from the outside seems like a difficult way to find holes. Last year when my boat sprung a leak I had it hauled out of the water, removed the carpet and upholstery, made sure that any exposed electrical connections were sealed and then filled it up from the inside. Then you look for the drips. It's not a fast or easy thing to do. But you will find ANY place that is permeable to water. Remember, water can travel considerable distances along a seam before showing it's self on the interior. Don't be surprised if you find a leak on the opposite side of the car.

I really appreciate all the advice. Thanks to all. The reason I am so very upset is that when I told the maker of my Spyder (again, not God) that I was selling my Speedster for the same problem (although it was MUCH WORSE--flooded the entire car from street water), I was assured this car could NOT take in water from underneath because of the water tight quality of the cabin. Now, here I am with water inside again. I DO KNOW that the water I am talking about DOES NOT come in from around the windows or canopy, although there is a small leakage around the windows that settles to the side of my seat, but it is negligible. I am fairly certain there will be no rust because of the fiberglass body and the powder-coated frame; however, I know from previous Speedster experience, the carpet mildews and smells bad, even given a chance to dry out. It can't dry out fast enough to prevent mildew. Besides, I don't like driving and getting the cuff of my scrub pants or jeans or even sweat pants wet! While I realize no one has advised it, telling me to abort the idea of a daily driver is not an option. This is my second attempt at a hand-built car, and I am determined to make this one work, and besides I like driving it too much. Am I doomed to drive a sloshy, stinky car?? v

V...I noticed that you car has a fender mounted mirror..Given the rainstorms we had in the south last week you may have something coming in around the seal there.

I don't know if this idea will be useful on a Spyder, but I have used a flashlight to locate larger openings and places where seals don't fit well. Get in a dark garage and put someone in the car, then have someone shine to light around the seals, gaskets, etc. I know this sometimes works in cases of leaking trunks in cars...Might be worth a try.

Also, you might check the conduit that carries electrics from the engine bay to the dash...Given the rain you had last weeks, anything is possible.

Good luck...

Terry--as with my Speedsters, all bulkheads are dry. The water is coming from UNDERNEATH somewhere. And with the amount of water, I think it has to be a substantial leak hole somewhere, probably near the pedals, unless there is another port of entry in that vacinity. I will have to get my restoration mechanic to check this out with a hose. v

keith - how did you know I had a degree in physics and that I am not the argumentative type?!

All I can say - in my experience, the hole in the floor lets water in, the carpet soaks it up and doesn't let it drain out - just like a sponge (and just like in my bug). Seal the hole and stop the problem.

E=MC^2

"i" before "e" except after "c" ... er, sometimes.