X5 E53 Rear Footwell Flooded with Water - Where is it coming from (Not the Doors)?

[minz-x5]

I've poured gallons of water with a hose (used a pressure gun too) all over the car, but I still can't pinpoint the leak as no water comes in. If I take it to the dealer, they'll probably just follow the book eliminating known issues and charging me each time without any guarantee that the problem is solved - just like it happened last time.

Those of you who had an AC drainage leak, did water appear on both sides of the rear carpet or only one?

[puddinboo]

the only other way to find a leak would be to removing rug,interior panels ect. which would be a pita . I ripped out alot of interiors on doge caravans years ago looking for leaks . there would be wet carpet in the front of these vans ,but they were leaking from the rear . leaks are a big pain to find sometimes. but I would look at the common places for now that other members here have had leaks before de gutting the whole interior. you might start breaking clips or even crack panels taking them off.

[jgold47]

Just had this problem. It was the a/c drains. Only wet on passenger side. I'd explain why that is but too much to type. There's an easy way to check. Dissasemble the center storage bin until you see the duct. It pops off. Chances are it's full of water. Then go under the car find the aforementioned drains and unclog them. I used a 1/4 piece of tubing as a snake. I also plunged the tube with my finger by plugging it and pushing back and forth(makes more sense when you are doing it. Tons of water came out and problem solved

Ps it only does that when it rains because whenever it rains it's also super humid!!

[minz-x5]

#Jgold47 - did your front or rear passenger side carpet get wet? On mine it's the rear passenger side only.

By center storage bin you mean the one behind the parking brake (the red circle in the picture)?

[jgold47]

yes to the picture. Yes to the rear passenger only.

if you move the passenger seat all the way forward, there is a carpet piece along the center consolse. It can be pried out from the back to the front (dont take it all the way out as the front portion is separate from the back portion and has to come out first), but you can pop the rear section of the rear piece out enough to see behind it. Feel for moisture inside that console. that should answer the question pretty definitively.

[minz-x5]

Thanks JG, I'll check it out as soon as it stops raining and update. Going under the car to find the A/C drains might be an issue though - did you use a lift?

[jgold47]

I'm far from svelte, and I did it from the ground, no ramps. the hoses are on either side of the transmission. I see you have a sport, so your gonna be a little lower than me.

[LVP]

I get two distinct puddles under mine from the AC. You should see the same if both drains are working.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by LVP

I get two distinct puddles under mine from the AC. You should see the same if both drains are working.

Ditto about the two puddles (or rows) of condensate.

On an aside...if I forget to turn off the AC a mile or so before getting home...and see the two puddles or two streams of condensate on the driveway where I stopped to raise the garage door...I make sure I use the OBC's aux vent feature to help prevent the growth of bacteria which causes the blast of AC stank. This feature runs the HVAC blower for 30 minutes (without the key being in the ignition)...which helps prevent a wet/dark environment which is the birthing ground for bacteria & mold.

[LVP]

Good call on aux vent. There is a way to do this for those of us without the Nav screen, but I can't recall. I'll look it up when I'm back tonight and post.