Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

This is the Forum for all your Citroen Technical Questions, Problems or Advice.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

So we're off with the fault finding!

It's been noticed that my Xantia was a bit damp inside, pondering whether this might be due to a leaky heater matrix - but not so sure now as everything under the dash looks bone dry and the coolant smell hasn't returned today - will be changing the coolant and adding some Forte shortly anyhow.

Then I went to organise my rear seatbelts which were trapped under the seats. ...and found about half an inch of water under both sides of the sear cushions. Hmmm says me...wonder where that's coming from.

So before I start pulling the car apart, any common pointers on where water tends to get into these cars? Guessing tailgate is probably the starting point for hunting for leaks.

Having a damp car with a non-functional heater blower is a bit of a pain!
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49534
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6163
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by CitroJim »

Has it got sunroof?

Often the sunroof drains gargoyles come adrift at the ends of the sunroof gutters... It can be fixed easily enough by dropping the headlining and reseating the gargoyles in bedding mastic..

Here's one I did earlier:

Image

Also, the end of the drain pipe exits via a hole in the top of the rear wheel arch. This can get blocked with mud or the pipe can become dislodged.. Remove the C pillar trim to see it.

Another simple cause can be the roofrack mounting threads under the door gutter rubbers. These threads are normally covered by a sticker or have screws screwed in them. If they are open water can pour in through them and end up where you found it.

A view of them:

Image

Hope that helps..
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

Going by the images in Zelaneths' intro post, I doubt if a sunroof is the cause.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49534
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6163
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by CitroJim »

Hell Razor5543 wrote:Going by the images in Zelaneths' intro post, I doubt if a sunroof is the cause.
Ahh well, I had to ask James and the information may be useful to others :wink: :)
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

No sunroof in this case, but a good thought (played that game with my first Saab).

Roofrack mounting points are a very good idea, will have a look at them in the morning.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
MikeT
Posts: 4809
Joined: 11 Jun 2007, 16:17
Location: Christchurch, Dorset. UK
My Cars: 2005 C5restyle 1.6HDI 16v 110hp VTR Estate
2008 C5 X7 1.6HDI VTR+ Saloon
x 231

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by MikeT »

I've been suffering bad condensation on cold morning startups since I replaced the heater matrix and never could ID the cause. Yesterday, I pulled the visor down and happened to catch dampness on the roof lining (under the aerial booster mound) and suspected it could be the aerial leaking but this looks more likely and will plug the holes to see if things improve. Cheers Jim!
CitroJim wrote: Another simple cause can be the roofrack mounting threads under the door gutter rubbers. These threads are normally covered by a sticker or have screws screwed in them. If they are open water can pour in through them and end up where you found it.

A view of them:

Image
c.morewood
Donor 2023
Posts: 1041
Joined: 05 Nov 2004, 14:38
Location: Kemnay, Nr Aberdeen, United Kingdom
My Cars: '00 Xantia 110 bhp Hdi SX Estate 65K "W"
'99 Xantia 110 bhp Hdi SX Estate 310K SORN "V"
'98 Xantia 1.9TD SX Estate 150K Sold "T"
x 47

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by c.morewood »

If its an estate, its more than likely the tailgate plastic membrane.. check under the boot carpet.. that'll be wet as well. Here's the permanent fix
http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... =3&t=49668" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Chris
Tesla Model 3 LR DM AWD Blue White
'00 Xant 110HdiSX Est 83K "W"
'99 Xant 110HdiSX Est 320K "V"
'98 Xant 1.9TDSX Est 150K "T"
'97 Xant 1.9TD 20k Est
'94 Fiat TipoTd 40K

'85 BMW K100RT 330K Garaged 26yrs '80 Honda CB250 twin Superdream
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

Saloon (well, liftback anyway) in this case.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

Little update on this one after some investigation.

The covers over the roof rack mounting holes are all pristine.

I do however see some obvious water damage to the headlining below the rear window washer jet, so will start investigation there tomorrow when it's light again.

At least I've got the heater working now so can demist the windscreen...water ingress combined with no heater was rather a tiresome combination!
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49534
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6163
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by CitroJim »

The rear washer jet has to be a good place to look closely. They block and this can blow the hose off under the headlining...

Be careful pulling the back of the headlining down at the rear as it's stuck to the roof with a strip of mastic as well as being caught under the hatch and door sealing rubbers...

Also remove the rear passenger grab handles as these also help secure the headlining...
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

Ah ha, that would explain why it didn't want to shift when poked briefly earlier. Will go back armed with the appropriate tools tomorrow. Is chucking it down out there just now, so hopefully if it's rainwater getting in I might be able to see where from in the morning.

Have had the dehumidifier running in there all yesterday and today, at least the seats don't feel damp anymore! Obviously I'd like to get the carpets and such out so I can be sure everything is dry down there, that's more weather dependant though!

Other find while exploring earlier was a 6 CD multichanger in the boot, could be handy on occasion once I get an OEM stereo back in it.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

It might be worth giving Paul (citroenxm) a PM to see what stereos he has got.
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Xantia Mk II Water Ingress

Post by Zelandeth »

Fast forward a few months, and we have a winner!

Took forever, but finally seem to have tracked down where the water is getting in. The answer appears to be knackered seam sealer, and the water is getting in right here:

Image

It then proceeds to continue downwards still hidden behind trim panelling until eventually pooling here.

Image

Will get me some sealant and give the area some attention and cross my finger that this will put an end to my water ingress issues. Has been a pig to track this down as it only seems to leak when it feels like it.
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
Post Reply