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Car Forum / Ford / Ford Focus / September 2004

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Water In Passenger Footwell

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Nick Harrison - 11 Aug 2004 19:22 GMT
Hi

   Am wondering if someone could explain this problem to me before I go and
seriously have it out with the Ford dealer I bought the car from.

   I have noticed in the passenger footwell that the carpet is damp. ??? I
thought. The car is brand new, registered in May 2004 and only 1500miles on
clock. So no service ect.. has been done.

   Washed the car tonight and put hose pipe over the windscreen and noticed
that a steady trickle of water was noted around a rubber seal in the
passenger footwell. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Nick
MCC - 11 Aug 2004 19:26 GMT
> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Nick

God! Are they still making cars with that defect?
Take it back to your dealer and tell him that you have a leak around the
pollen filter. He'll know what you are talking about, believe me.
This has been discussed on here many times. Suggest you do a Google on
this newsgroup for leak + pollen filter - you'll find lots of
references.
HTH
Signature

MCC

Paul Giverin - 11 Aug 2004 21:35 GMT
>>     I have noticed in the passenger footwell that the carpet is damp. ??? I
>> thought. The car is brand new, registered in May 2004 and only 1500miles on
>> clock. So no service ect.. has been done.
>
>God! Are they still making cars with that defect?

It is rather sad isn't it! You could almost forgive it if the car had
been serviced and the pollen filter had been disturbed but for it to be
leaking on a new car is rather poor especially as every man and his dog
knows about this problem.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

GAOW - 12 Aug 2004 03:24 GMT
> >>     I have noticed in the passenger footwell that the carpet is damp. ??? I
> >> thought. The car is brand new, registered in May 2004 and only 1500miles on
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> leaking on a new car is rather poor especially as every man and his dog
> knows about this problem.

That is unbelieveable - just how long is this problem going to go on before
Ford sort it out???  Even worse, how long before they even recognise it as a
problem???  Honestly!!

I ended up selling my Focus (2 years old when it went) as after it got very
very wet (**) it then stank thereafter.  Did Ford want to know?  Pah - they
said they had hoovered it out and therefore it would be OK.  I'd owned Fords
for >10 years - I'm now a customer lost forever.

** Do I hold the record for the worst pollen filter leak?  After one night
of rain I had 3 inches of standing water *above* the carpet in the passenger
footwell - I measured it.  I drove to the local Ford dealer, showed him my
swimming pool (in my then 18 month old Focus 2.0 Ghia with leather, cruise
etc..) and they were completely dismissive, saying that they could only even
look into the problem a few days later.  By this time it was ruinied.
Goodbye Ford.
Gene - 12 Aug 2004 21:28 GMT
> > >>     I have noticed in the passenger footwell that the carpet is damp.
>  ??? I
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Ford sort it out???  Even worse, how long before they even recognise it as a
> problem???  Honestly!!

I think there are two problems related to the water leak.  I have
read reports of the cabin filter housing being installed poorly
and leaking through the cowl.  A similar problem is the design
of the cowl cover itself.  Later models have an extra "scoop"
designed to divert water away from the filter opening itself.

On a the hatchback model, the cowl panel may be removed
quite easily and then reinstalled with some butyl rubber
to create a water-tight seal around the cabin filter opening.
That will help with the second problem I mentioned above.

If the cowl itself has the housing installed poorly, then
no amount of fussing with the cowl cover (panel) will be
100% successful.

HTH.

Gene
Gary Compton - 12 Aug 2004 20:18 GMT
It is sad that Ford hasn't fixed this problem, but don't sell your Focus
yet:  there is a simple solution.  Both my 2001 and 2002 had bad water
leaks.  My local dealer actually put a tent over the air intake.  He cut a
piece of sign material - heavy waterproof paper - and shoved it under the
cowl cover over the air intake (where the pollen filter fits).  He cut it a
little long so it  bowed in the middle to let air in on the sides.  Of
course, when I picked the car up they didn't tell me how they fixed the
leak, just mumble something and left me with the impression that they had
made extensive repairs.  I discovered this later when I took the cowl cover
off  for another purpose.  I was a little put off when I first saw this
crude fix,  but its been in place for three and a half years now with zero
leaks and over a year on the other car.

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Nick
Gene - 12 Aug 2004 21:33 GMT
> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> that a steady trickle of water was noted around a rubber seal in the
> passenger footwell. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

First try removing cowl panel cover (rubber) and reinstall
with butyl rubber strip against windshield.  In other words,
seal the cowl panel to the windshield.  If you are brave,
then remove the cowl panel cover and see if it has a scoop
on the underside that diverts water from the cabin filter.

In any event, after examining the cowl panel cover you can
go to Ford and see the latest & greatest design.  If if differs
from yours, then maybe replace the one on your Focus.  If
sealing the rubber cowl panel cover to the windshield does
not help, then there is almost certainly a problem that
occurred during the build related to sealing the cabin
filter housing into the cowl.

HTH.
Nick Harrison - 12 Aug 2004 22:05 GMT
Update

   Back to garage today - say that the seal was not right and have replaced
and restuck the cover to the windscreen. Will see how it goes.

   Plenty of rainfall at the moment to test it hey!!

   Regards

   Nick
> > Hi
> >
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> HTH.
Stephen F. - 13 Aug 2004 07:48 GMT
Just curious so I know where to watch for water. Is the filter always on the
same side of the car, despite LHD or RHD?  Are we talking about the
passenger side in the UK, or in North America?
Paul Giverin - 13 Aug 2004 09:05 GMT
>Just curious so I know where to watch for water. Is the filter always on the
>same side of the car, despite LHD or RHD?  Are we talking about the
>passenger side in the UK, or in North America?

Its the passenger side in the UK.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

Eight Ball - 13 Aug 2004 16:30 GMT
Passenger side on the North American Focus also.

Its pretty sad, that Ford still has the SAME problems with the later model
North American model Focus as they had with the earlier ones.

In message <411c643b$1@news.unibe.ch>, Stephen F.
<ferguson@NOJUNKbluewin.ch> writes
>Just curious so I know where to watch for water. Is the filter always on the
>same side of the car, despite LHD or RHD?  Are we talking about the
>passenger side in the UK, or in North America?

Its the passenger side in the UK.

Signature

Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website    http://www.britjet.co.uk

Nick Harrison - 13 Aug 2004 17:49 GMT
Hi All

   24hrs post fix of problem by Ford Garage - Guess what!!!

   Leak +++++ - back to the garage - what a pain in the arse this is
turning out to be.
   What else can one do if the garage cannot fix the problem.
   Funny thing was whilst I was in the garage another focus driver came in
with the same problem - mmmm

   All help / guidance is very welcome.

   Regards

   Nick

> Passenger side on the North American Focus also.
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> >
> Its the passenger side in the UK.
GAOW - 16 Aug 2004 04:33 GMT
>     24hrs post fix of problem by Ford Garage - Guess what!!!
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>     Funny thing was whilst I was in the garage another focus driver came in
> with the same problem - mmmm

Sell it, get something else and do not touch Ford again. See earlier post.
They don't give a t**s.

If this was a new problem it would be a different issue - but just how long
is this going to drag on for?  It ruined my Focus.
Richard Ray - 17 Aug 2004 05:38 GMT
>>    24hrs post fix of problem by Ford Garage - Guess what!!!
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> If this was a new problem it would be a different issue - but just how long
> is this going to drag on for?  It ruined my Focus.

How do you spell TROLL? The only problem I had with Ford on my Focus SE
wagon was with the front facia paint, corrected to my satisfaction. They
had to order a new facia, they could not sand, primer, and repaint. They
made sure I was treated right.

Tires, another problem, but not warranted by Ford. The Goodyear Eagles
that were original equipment developed bumps, replaced with Bridgestones
with directional tread. Again, no problems.

The Focus is my wife's car. It is one of the most trouble-free cars we
have ever owned. I also own a 1992 Ford Explorer XLT with 156,000 miles,
oil and transmission fluid changes on schedule keep it running well. My
first big expense was rebuilding the A/C system and adding a battery.
Sounds like a big investment, but the truck is sound mechanically, the
interior is in perfect shape, and I have only one dent. Sure beats
making those big truck payments.

A satisfied Ford Focus and Ford Explorer owner

Richard
GAOW - 18 Aug 2004 04:23 GMT
> How do you spell TROLL? The only problem I had with Ford on my Focus SE
> wagon was with the front facia paint, corrected to my satisfaction. They
> had to order a new facia, they could not sand, primer, and repaint. They
> made sure I was treated right.

How do you spell JERK?  Oh, your poor grammar gives you away you schmuck.

I'm posting details of my personal experience and those of many others. If
you had bothered to read my earlier post you would understand my criticisms.
Clearly you have not - shame on you.  I'm not repeating my comments here
just for your benefit - get your thumb out of your **** if you still can and
take the time to read the thread before posting Mr Lazy.

> A satisfied Ford Focus and Ford Explorer owner

A lucky man.  Oh, or perhaps *you * are just TROLLing.
Brenda Mcgrath - 19 Aug 2004 22:38 GMT
When this happened to me the garage said it was a fault with the pollen
filter.It is either failing or on service its not been replaced
properly.They fixed it and it hasn't happened again.

Usually this problem happens after a fall of rain.

Signature

Regards,
    BMG
<nospam@nothankyou.net> wrote in message
news:cfp9tg$rje$1@hercules.btinternet.com...

> >     24hrs post fix of problem by Ford Garage - Guess what!!!
> >
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> If this was a new problem it would be a different issue - but just how long
> is this going to drag on for?  It ruined my Focus.
Alan - 20 Aug 2004 00:08 GMT
>Usually this problem happens after a fall of rain.

No, the problem usually happens after you have paid for an expensive
service from a Ford dealer. If they cannot fit a filter correctly do you
think that it may be wise to go elsewhere to make sure that they have
serviced the brakes correctly?
Signature

Alan
mailto:news2me_a_2003@amacleod.clara.co.uk

vague disclaimer - 31 Aug 2004 22:20 GMT
> >Usually this problem happens after a fall of rain.
>
> No, the problem usually happens after you have paid for an expensive
> service from a Ford dealer. If they cannot fit a filter correctly do you
> think that it may be wise to go elsewhere to make sure that they have
> serviced the brakes correctly?

Surely you're not suggesting that when a perfectly reputable Ford
dealership - around my way, Godfrey Davis, say - gets bought by a larger
concern - CD Brammall, say - that one ends up having severe doubts about
whether standards are being maintained (and also one ends up with water
in the f.cking footwell the first time it rains after a major service)?

Surely that's not what you are suggesting?

Signature

A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend

Mike Walsh - 14 Aug 2004 00:27 GMT
The cover for the pollen filter has not been replaced properly. When
they replace it, they should also fit a new sealing strip to keep it
fltting flush & watertight.

Many garages do not seem to bother with the sealing strip, resulting in
many vehicles developing soggy passenger footwells.

Regards
Peter Adamson - 09 Sep 2004 21:17 GMT
Hi Nick
I have also a Focus '51 which was found with 1.5" rainwater in the pasenger
footwell two mornings running it comes fromfailure of the plastic finishing
strip to the passenger side of the windscreen. I was lucky enough to have a
lease car and requested RAC assistance, he advised on the quiet that a mod
was required. replacing the finishing strip -cost ?185.00! He thought the
pollen filter had been recently serviced, it had not the black sealant just
failed.

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Nick
Alan - 10 Sep 2004 00:16 GMT
>Hi Nick
>I have also a Focus '51 which was found with 1.5" rainwater in the pasenger
>footwell two mornings running it comes fromfailure of the plastic finishing
>strip to the passenger side of the windscreen. I was lucky enough to have a
>lease car and requested RAC assistance, he advised on the quiet that a mod
>was required. replacing the finishing strip -cost £185.00!

Is this two foot of rubber strip made of pure gold ?
Signature

Alan
mailto:news2me_a_2003@amacleod.clara.co.uk

Raider Rick - 12 Sep 2004 07:45 GMT
Pure SPUN gold, silly...

Signature

Rapid Rick
"Just dive, baby"

"And you snatch your rattling last breaths, with deep sea diver sounds, and
the flowers bloom like madness in the spring."

> >Hi Nick
> >I have also a Focus '51 which was found with 1.5" rainwater in the pasenger
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Is this two foot of rubber strip made of pure gold ?
 
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