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MG MGB Technical - Rain Water in Driver's Footwell

Hello

I have been getting water leaking in to the driver's footwell when it rains. I checked the drain hole in the bottom of the airtake (I did read that this can sometimes cause an leak) which was blocked, but water is still leaking in. It seems to be leaking from underneath the bottom of the rubber mat which is stuck on to the side of transmission tunnel.

Has anyone else had this problem
.
Thank you
Steve
Steve99

That's the only place it leaks from? You're a lucky guy :)

A missing screw or bolt will allow water in when driving. It's hard to trace a water leak unfortunately and there are a lot of areas that can cause the problem. I'd peel back that rubber mat and see if there are any additional holes.
Mike MaGee

Hi Mike

Sorry I forgot to say that the only time I really notice the leak is when it is parked up, mainly ovrnight when I forget to put the rain cover on it (hardly every rains when I do cover it up).

I was try to aviod peeling back the mat atm but I don't think I am going to have much choice.

Thank you
Steve
Steve99

My first thought on reading your thread title was:

"And?"

Sorry - I find it totally normal.

:-)
TheMiz

One way to find a leak is to sit in the car while a friend blasts a hose at it. Just get them to cover every part of the car - including underneath - while you lie on the seats with your head under the dash with a torch (flashlight) looking for the water coming in.
The Wiz

What year is the car?
S Best

Hi Steve
I had an 18 month old MGB in 1980,and it had obviously
leaked from new as the carpets were rotten,I now have
a 41 year MGB and it is completly dry! so there is no reason to accept the leak without attempting to fix it!
The only area for water getting in near to the transmission tunnel is the grommet for the speedo
drive,or a missing gearbox dipstick hole bung but it is unlikley that water would get in through these whilst parked up. It is more likley that water is getting in elswhere and manifesting itself here. Does the problem only show itself after rain? If not sure check for leaks from the heater ,also I had a "wet" patch here recently that turned out to be a leaking clucth master cylinder above this area.
Agree with the Wiz,& suggest you dry the area completly with a hair dryer and remove as much trim/carpets as you can and have an assistant use a hosepipe whilst you watch! Only other suggestion is a
pair of wellingtons!
Robert
Robert Collier

Hi Steve
I forgot to add that you should check if the air intake for the heater at the front of the windscreen is still holding water by shining a torch down it.
The drain hole outlet is on the RH side. I use
a long piece of wire/coathanger to clear it.
Robert
Robert Collier

S Best. The Year of Car is 1972.

Robert - I have cleared the drain hole & thought that would solve it as very blocked.

Thank you for your suggestions, hopefully I can not find the root of the problem.

Thank you
Steve
Steve99

Steve,

The drain from the fresh air box you cleared runs down from the right hand side of the floor of the unit. If rust has penetrated through the bottom edge of the box on that side, water could run down behind that rubber mat over the edge of the trans tunnel and only be visible under the floor carpets/covering.

You will need to look up from under and behind the steering wheel, a torch or trouble light will help a lot.

Good luck
Regards
Roger
Roger T

72 rules out the leak I was thinking of. Water can comne in around the pedal box from the drain channel around the bonnet opening. However later cars have much less obstruction in the channel.
S Best

Steve; FWIW I had what sounds like an identical leak in my 74. Turned out the DPO had put in a new windshield and not sealed around the rubber seal. I got some silicone caulking and slowly lifted and sealed the seal and now it's tight as a drum.
Joel

The footwell leaks on mine and my sister's BGT's were coming from around the wiper spindles were they enter at the front of the windscreen...a careful smearing of some silicone gel around the spindle bases in my case reduced it to nothing except in the heaviest rain. Worth a look for sure.

Curtis Walker

This thread was discussed between 01/10/2005 and 02/10/2005

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