Wet feet for defender driver

[Jimmy]

Do any of you Defender drivers get wet feet when it rains. My feet will get almost soaked in about 5 mins as the water pours in from somewhere. I think it has also led to some dash light flicking issues.

Anyone got this problem? anyone fixed it?? or is it just a Defender thing?

Cheers
Jimmy

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Try closing the vents https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Seriously, it is a defender thing. It can usually be fixed, but usually not easily. Mine had the same problem and they managed to fix it with some silastic https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ From my understanding there are many different causes.

If it is under warranty the dealers will usually look at it for you.

[hiline]

wear gum boots https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ :wink: or waders :wink:

[noddy]

It is a sign of affection :wink:

I look at it in the same way as my dog licking my toes 8O

Seriously, I have had two Defenders and no amount of trying to fix the leak resulted in anything. They leak from the factory, so I am not sure a dealer will be able to solve, but worth a try.

[VladTepes]

Yes I've had that problem.

A leaky roof would pi$$ me off but for some reason this doesn't. :?


I think of it as a character thing.


Plus it's bloody HILARIOUS when I'm car pooling my mate and he gets his feet wet and sees I am completely oblivious to it. I can see his brain thinking "But my Jackaroo doesn't do this. Why would anyone own one of these ?"

And I have the satisfaction of knowing WHY. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/





Oh.. and I've discovered that a musician in America must own a Defender too.

http://www.lasongwriters.org/wetfeet72.jpg

[JDNSW]

The usual leaks onto your feet are from the vents not sealing properly, from the door seal or from the hinge or bracket joining the windscreen to the bulkhead. This has a gasket under it, and if it leaks the water runs along the bolts and comes in.

At present I have a leak on the driver's feet that I believe is coming in round the pedals from under the bonnet - need to track this down a bit better.

There are other places that can leak as well, including of course, anywhere that is rusted through.

[Jimmy]

Originally posted by JDNSW
The usual leaks onto your feet are from the vents not sealing properly, from the door seal or from the hinge or bracket joining the windscreen to the bulkhead. This has a gasket under it, and if it leaks the water runs along the bolts and comes in.

At present I have a leak on the driver's feet that I believe is coming in round the pedals from under the bonnet - need to track this down a bit better.

There are other places that can leak as well, including of course, anywhere that is rusted through.

I think my leak is similar. It seems to run from the pedals and it literally flows in. I will investigate and let you know what I find.

[George130]

I have a small leak but only enough to get the rubber mats damp. Mine comes in through the vents and near the top of the door.

[DeeJay]

My Stage 3 used to leak too, but not ALL the time.

After a few years I narrowed it down to whether it was raining or not https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[rick130]

how do you blokes get wet feet ??
It doesn't bloody well rain around here anymore.... :x

[JDNSW]

Originally posted by rick130
how do you blokes get wet feet ??
It doesn't bloody well rain around here anymore.... :x

Last time I went to Qld - it bucketed down from Armidale to Glen Innes.
Haven't got wet feet round here for a long time, although we had 4mm yesterday and this morning. I was out in it in the 2a checking foxbaits, but didn't notice any leaks as I was in and out all the time anyway and even then hardly noticed.

[abaddonxi]

Originally posted by rick130
how do you blokes get wet feet ??
It doesn't bloody well rain around here anymore.... :x

Do you want me to come visit?

I can't leave Sydney without calling up a storm to come with me.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Cheers
Simon

[rick130]

Simon, if you could guarantee it, I reckon I could organise it for the local Cockies to pay you to take a 4 hour drive https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
We're slipping very quickly back into drought here. No ones been able/game to sow winter crops yet, and most graziers who re-stocked last year, if they weren't cunning/lucky enough to off load numbers in January, are supplementing big time already. A voluntary irrigation ban has been in place on our little river for about two months now, although there are a couple of locals flouting it. (including, by the sound of things, my brother in law..:roll:)
Not looking good.

the plus side is I don't have to mow the lawn https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[camel_landy]

You may laugh but LandRover do actually produce a manual dedicated to fixing water leaks in the bodywork! :!: :?

If you have a look on the web, you may be able to find a copy in .PDF format. I have a copy but it's a German one that's been scanned in (it's also about 1000Km from me at the mo).

Mark.

[x-box]

mine leaks in around the air-vent flaps and the roof/windscreen/door corner. will only be of concern if it starts affecting the electricals.
must say the looks i get when disembarking with a plastic packet on my right foot is rather amusing :wink:
apart from that i live with it - it's a landrover thing (i hope) https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[muddy69]

My experience is that the join between the base of the windscreen and bulkhead is not sealed property. On extremely heavy rains, I would get water leaking in through there and behind the fascia and over the transmission tunnel on both driver and passenger foot wells.

Some black silicon sealer I used to seal the plastic trim just below the windscreens bottom edge. I'm not sure about the Defenders, but then again they are all Rovers..

Muddy69

94 Disco V8i 2 Door 5 Spd Man, BFG A/T, Snorkel, Needs a lift and winch

[Grizzly_Adams]

I hate getting wet feet when it rains, it really really annoys me.

I've found that when I park the vehicle, as long as I park her facing uphill then I don't get water ingress into my footwell... however if I park her on the flat or facing downhill it's wetfeet time :cry:

I really must have a look and try to find where that bloody water is coming in, and this thread has got some good suggestions for my Defender https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[JDNSW]

Originally posted by muddy69
My experience is that the join between the base of the windscreen and bulkhead is not sealed property. On extremely heavy rains, I would get water leaking in through there and behind the fascia and over the transmission tunnel on both driver and passenger foot wells.

Some black silicon sealer I used to seal the plastic trim just below the windscreens bottom edge. I'm not sure about the Defenders, but then again they are all Rovers..

Muddy69

94 Disco V8i 2 Door 5 Spd Man, BFG A/T, Snorkel, Needs a lift and winch

I think the structure of Defenders and Discos is quite different in this area, and hence it is unlikely to be a related problem. The real problem with the Defender is that there are a number of separate parts bolted together with often rudimentary seals between them. The basic design is unchanged since 1958 and little changed since 1948 - and in those days most Landrovers were soft tops (in 1948 any top was optional) and stopping water getting in was way down on the priority list. The first step in designing it to keep water out would be to keep the number of joins to an absolute minimum, but this is not compatible with having interchangeable body types , folding windscreen etc with maximum amount of common parts.

[rick130]

I wouldn't give a toss if I get wet feet tonight 'cause it's RAINING ! woo hoo !
Good solid rain for about an hour, although looking at the radar it'll end soon.

Anyway, I get a good puddle in the passengers fotwell every time it rains, and in the drivers side when it's heavy. Some of it tracks in past the door seals, as well at the bottom of the screen and the roof where it meets the screen frame.

[solmanic]

Since, as you describe it, your leak occurs when stationary, then water coming UP off anything is impossible. Your leak will be tracking DOWN from somewhere - hence I support the windscreen - bulkhead sealant theory. Alternatively, the water could be coming in from just about anywhere along the roof seam and tracking along the interior gutter before running down the A-pillar or something (maybe the safari windows - a usual suspect). You mentioned it happens on the flat - that figures as Defenders sit down at the nose generally. Take a look along the interior gutters anyway (whilst hosing the vehicle from above).
Probably not related as it concerns the passenger-side footwell, but worth a mention anyway - it might pay to also check the A/C condensate drain pipe. Where it passes through the firewall to inside the LH front wheel arch the rubber drain pipe often comes unseated from the hole. I used to get rainwater flicking up off the wheel and leaking through this mis-placed grommet. I re-seated it and, even with no further sealant, no more leaks.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<span style="color:blue">on defenders....the worst or most common leaks are the roof join....
the front vent flaps under the windscreen......
and around the windscreen.....

if you have your windows open....water will run off the gutters and in
through the front windows.....



a pair of galoshes will solve the problem quickly and cheaply.....
a second pair will also fix the passenger side leaks......

</span>


<span style="color:green">pictured are the passenger side leak fixers......</span>

http://images.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:Wenxdw6LMgmXHM:www.mybabymonkey.com

[boggo]

Aaaah its good to hear that mine's not the only one that leaks.It used to be bad in the early 2000's,but doesnt much any more!!

[JDNSW]

Originally posted by boggo
Aaaah its good to hear that mine's not the only one that leaks.It used to be bad in the early 2000's,but doesnt much any more!!

Yes, that's right, but the drought will end some time - and the leak will still be there! Probably plus some new ones.

[VladTepes]

Hopefully this will help.

Land Rover Technical Manual hilights the common places where "water ingress" (that's leaks, to you and me) can occur.

If you address the hilighted areas then your chances of "dry feet" will be much greater.

Cheers

Vlad





















http://www.aulro.com/albums/Vlads-other-photos/defender_leaks.jpg

[Omaroo]

LOL!!!! https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[VladTepes]

... and I've got the feeling I left out a couple...

[Omaroo]

What's that wierd thing on top? Looks as though it'd let the light in too. Eeek!

[CraigE]

Vlad,
I think they missed a couple of dozen places.