940 Leak on Passenger Side

[pburchins]

I vacuumed out the passenger side and it was full of water. i was surprised at how much came out. I found a rubber grommet that was doughnut shape with a small center plug lying under the dashboard on passenger side. It is dark so the repair will have to wait til tommorow.

No windows or sunroof left open to have that much water. I had the windshield replaced 3 years ago and there looks like there is some gaps near the cowling. I have read that there could be some trash in the cowling drain.

What else should I look for ?

Thanks,

Pat

[billofdurham]

One of the biggest culprits for water in the passenger footwell is blocked drain from the AC evaporator. Look on the passenger side of the bulkhead (firewall). You should see the drain outlet there. It may be flush with the bulkhead or it may have a tube attached that runs down toward the frame rail. The plastic casing for the lower half of the air box actually includes the drain spigot. It is likely blocked with leaf debris or other stuff (amazing what does get in there).

Bill.

[pburchins]

I took off the cowling and cleaned off the screens around the blower. I filled the area with a hose and it began draining right at the hinges of the front door. There were 2 holes in the frame that drained as well. Then a 3rd hole opened up and began draining. I looked in the backseat footwell and there was water in it. I am assuming that could be a potential culprit.

In regards to the drain hole/spigot as described in the firewall. Is it below the evaporator or in the space where the blower motor is located ?

Thanks for the help.

[billofdurham]

The spigot is at the bottom of the heater casing. There is a hose attached to it which goes through the bulkhead into the engine compartment. Sometimes the hose is readily visible as it sticks out about 1/2". Sometimes it is level with the bulkhead and is harder to see. When you find it you can push a wire coat hanger or, if you are rich, a welding rod into the hole and gently move it around to clear out any rubbish. You must be careful not to pierce the hose or you will have a constant leak. The only other way to clear this is to remove the heater which is a harder job.

I am curious about the holes you describe as draining. Are they all actually draining into the car or is it only the third one? Where exactly is that?

Bill.

[pburchins]

The wholes that I am trying to describe are under the vehicle. There are 2 main beams or frames running from front to back of the car. In that frame, there are holes on bottom frame. When I put the hose in the cowling it drained out there. The wholes nearest the front drained first and the next and then the last hole that would seat would be above drained.

I found that hose you described. Geez, they dont make that easy to find. I put an allen wrench in very carefully and nothing was in there. I then took a blower hose attached to my compressor and blew into the hose. I could here air coming out near the blower motor. I did not hear or see trash coming out.

I took out the passenger seat and moved the carpet aside. There floor board still has a good amount of moisture of which I vacuumed it up. I am starting to wonder if the water went into the blower motor and used the chase that runs the air under the seat as a conduit to put the water in the back foot well. When I took off the cowling the blower motor cover was loose and water in the rain could have easily gotten in there.

How is this theory ??


I am not reinstalling the seat for a day so it can dry out. I put a box fan to blow air and ventilate it. Let me me know your opinions !

Boy, I wish I had the web with my MGB when I was 16. LOL....I might still have that car.

[billofdurham]

That clears up the problem of the holes. That is normal but I thought the water was draining inside the car.

One of the problems with this heater, and others in the Volvo range, is that water does tend to collect in the bottom of the blower motor casing. Some comes from the air inlet in front of the windscreen and some is codensation off the evaporator. That is why the drain hose is attached to the motor casing. If the drain becomes blocked the water collects in the casing until it is deep enough to overflow, usually onto the front passenger side carpet. I haven't heard of it reaching the rear carpet but your theory is definitely feasible.

Make sure everything is really dry before replacing the seat and carpets otherwise, eventually, there will be an offensive smell.

A further problem with water collecting in the blower casing is that it can kill the blower if it is immersed in water for too long. It is essential, therefore, to ensure the drain is kept clear to stop the build up.

Bill.