Water leak into footwell - dodgy seal info and DIY repair guide (Image links dead)

[alex_morley]

A little update on my own personal progress:

The garage have sorted what they think was the leak problem and it is going in for "leak testing" today (I assume that means they're gonna blast it with water but I'm not sure!).

The car's been away for 8 days now and apparently I'll get it back on Thursday PM/Friday morning... what's the cause of it all taking so long? I hear you cry?... that would be Seat parts sending the wrong parts and sending them very very slowly!

Hopefully the right parts will be there tomorrow and I'll get my baby back for a long trip down to my parents' place on Friday morning!

I'll keep you informed.

 

[ANTONYPROBERTSO]

Hi
did both of my front door seals a couple of weekends ago, and it has rained pretty much non stop since then and i have no more ponds in the rear footwells which is great!!!
I managed to break the drivers mirror adjuster switch though, so off to the dealers at some stage for a new one.
A big thanks to everyone for all the help!!

 

[Average Joe]

Which cars are affected by this leak? I am looking at getting 1.9TDi on a 53 plate, Regerstered december 03 I think. Will the leak problem affect this too,

 

[ANTONYPROBERTSO]

from what i have read on various forums, it can affect any car in the whole vw,seat,skoda,audi range, but don't let this put you off of what is an absolutely brilliant car!!
When i spoke to my local seat dealer, they told me that not all individual cars are affected, but it is a fifty fifty chance.
Just make sure you have a feel round in the footwells when you have a look at the car, and if it is raining, see how much water comes out from the front door apertures when you open them
This really is a simple fix that anyone can do, and it has absolutely lashed it down for the last couple of days and it is bone dry inside.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Average Joe]

I used to have a Leon and it had no leaks, so if it is 50/50 the odds are not on my side for the toledo being dry.

 

[alex_morley]

Joe, even if it does have leaks (always worth checking first for dampness etc before you buy it) it doesn't have to be a major problem. I'd have a look for any form of rust etc if there is any damp and if there's no rust it can be a good price-negotiation point which you already have a complete fairly cheap fix for when you get it at a knock-down price!

I have to agree with AnthonyRobertso in that it's an absolutely fantastic car and shouldn't be passed up because of what is a fairly easily fixed issue.

 

[DeeroTDI]

My 52-reg Leon TDI is also leaking, mainly when parked with the boot facing downhill. A week or so ago it threw it down when I was parked up at my parents house and when I came to drive off there was an inch of water in the footwells in the back. We followed Andy's pollen filter guide which seemed to cure it (yeah right!!) so it must be coming in through the door seals/ancillary?!

Clues anyone? I've only had the car 2 weeks and am not overly happy as a result!

 

[DeeroTDI]

I am a complete novice really with this type of thing, so how useful would my local SEAT dealer be? Am I better to get my local VAG specialist to have a bash at it instead? It'll take him longer, but he'll have to order the parts in if he needs any as he's basically just in a lock-up rather than a posh garage.

If the dealer can fix it easily and (relatively) cheaply, I might be happy to pay as having forked out £6k for my Leon TDI I am not impressed that the bloody thing leaks.

 

[33754k]

Best leak guide ever

Have done the drivers door- leak stop. job done
THANKS

 

[markmck]

with so many people springing leaks in their cars SEAT will soon start listing a goldfish in the options list !!

 

[ANTONYPROBERTSO]

deeroTDI , when you open the doors to get in, do you get a lot of water coming out from around the bottom of the doors?, and do you have water sitting around where the bottom of the door sits?
If so it sounds like your door seal is leaking.
My local dealer said to me that they would not repair one door but all of them and they would remove all the carpets to dry them, with a bill of at least £600.
Do it yourself, it really is an easy job to do, taking about 2 hours to do all 4 doors.

 

[Bradz]

Thank Andy for the guide, I did mine last week - no leaks now. I bought a new seal which easily does 2 doors.

 

[Dr-Jon]

thanks for this info

as the title says thanks for the info, *** got the dam back seat out of mine and all the rae carpets up at the moment tring to dry out a sodden floor sponge(under the carpet) as *** had a swimming pool in the drivers side foot well. I thourgt it was a leaky floor seal so *** cover then with silicon(dont ask as to y the dam thing is not stil sealed in he floor seal. but after a real downpour i notice the swimming pool in the morning when it was not there the night before. low and behold the rear door was full of water so im hoping that its just the drain holes that are blocked. will have a look this morning and see.

 

[JonoUK]

Would this be a warranty fix on a brand new car? I'm going to try and get my dealer to give it a good blast with water and see if it leaks.. and fix it properly before I touch it. Otherwise they can keep it.

New Leon btw.

 

[markmck]

Well the silcon is starting to fail on the wife's Leon so she's getting some of the sealing cord and come door trim clips and i'll try again.

How much door selling cord is needed to do 4 doors?

 

[bigfella_V5]

Nice guide, think I will try clearing the drain holes first and adjusting the door latch so the door closes tighter to the seal.

Could that solve the problem? It is only happening on my drivers door.

 

[Hooper]

I wouldn't adjust the door latch you will fook up the panel alignment.

 

[bigfella_V5]

Not even slightly to bring the door in a little? I will make sure the drain holes are clear first. What a pain in the bum.

 

[markmck]

Trim clips and seal cord ordered. time to get the job done right on the Leon and Toledo once and for all. Anymore fffing leaks and i'll be looking for a bilge pump

 

[bigfella_V5]

Good luck! Is the seal cord just the foam seal that goes around the panel behind the door card?