Xantia water leak. At the end of my tether!

[mirafioriman]

After the persistent rain recently my drivers side rear footwell is a big puddle again.

I know it's definitely not the sunroof as I taped it up with waterproof tape and the leak persisted.

Last week I had the windscreen scuttle panel off and checked that area. The panel is well sealed to the screen to stop water getting down.

Anyone got any more ideas? It's getting to the point where I'm going to buy an Alfa 156 I've been looking at and scrap the damn thing as I'm so sick of it!

[BenC5HDi]

Check the tailgate seal and the lower rear door seal. The water can get in around the tailgate and lead a very convoluted path down to the rear passenger footwell in my experience..

[mirafioriman]

Thanks. There does often seem to be water sitting on top of the o/s/r door seal at the bottom where it runs along the top of the sill but I've never been able to figure out how it is getting there.

[Zelandeth]

Also check the seam sealant around the tailgate hinges - there was a tiny crack in the sealant between the panels in there on mine which appeared to be the cause of the perpetual puddle beneath the rear seats.

[mirafioriman]

Thanks that's one area I haven't investigated.

[Xantidote]

I assume the rear door has polythene "membrane" to stop water getting where it's not wanted. Is this intact?

Are the roof bar/roof rack fixing holes sealed up ?

Any signs of wet in the boot? Not sure if it's with the Xantia or BX (hatchback), but a poor seal around the rear lights where they seal against the body can allow water ingress.

[mirafioriman]

I replaced the membranes under the door panels and I've resealed the rear lights (both inner and outer.

I think I have already sealed the roof bar fixing holes but I'll check them again.

[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
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49668

[mirafioriman]

Should have said it is a hatchback not an estate.

[CitroenCrazy]

Just my 2p:
Do you park the car on a gradient ?
My drive slopes down, and when I park my car across it, I used to get water ingress into the nearside rear footwell.
I can send pictures & an explanation if this might apply to you.

A quick tip - dust talcum powder over any areas where you think water might be getting in. The water leaves really clear tracks.

[mirafioriman]

Yes I often park on a hill.

[CitroJim]

Check the roof rack screw fixing holes under the tops of the door rubbers are sealed off.. From the factory they just have a sticker over them..

I've had these leak and fixed it by filling them with silicone sealant...

Here they are, hiding under the rubber seal



And sealed:



It's amazing how much water they can let in...

[aerodynamica]

I'd try the rear light clusters (outer ones) as the water running down from the tailgate sides runs directly on to the seal for these and if it's not a good seal to the mounting surface of the wing it fills up the light cluster, overflows into the hole for the light wiring harness and then into the boot!

##ask me how I know.. ##

I cleaned the rubber seal on the lamp cluster, cleaned the mounting surface because both were manky, applied some grease to the cleaned seal to soften it up. I then refitted it and made sure the mounting nut was as tight as possible. So far so good!

[jimbo35]

My 18 year old series 2 SX 2 litre HDi Xantia had water collecting beneath the nearside rear passenger seat until I found this post: Zelandeth » Sun Dec 27, 2015 12:38 am
"Also check the seam sealant around the tailgate hinges - there was a tiny crack in the sealant between the panels in there on mine which appeared to be the cause of the perpetual puddle beneath the rear seats." Suggested remedies from local Citroen Specialists
had failed, but an application of Granville black silicone sealant brushed over the area just beneath the NS tailgate hinge stopped the leakage. (Even though I couldn't actually see a crack.)

[Zelandeth]

Think Jim eventually traced the source of this leak on my car to the rear window washer jet seal being damaged. I still don't know what route the water was taking into the car - but he sealed that up and I believe it finally fully resolved it.

It's a pain trying to trace any leaks around there as there are so many places water can sneak behind other bits of metal.