Water in front footwell

[Velocemitch]

Our 2016 L&K Yeti seems to have a water ingress problem. There is quite a large puddle forming in the drivers footwell.

Water can be seen in the gap between the door rubber and the end of the dashboard, but it does not appear to be coming through the door seal. I'm thinking a possible leak through the windscreen, over flow from a blocked scuttle drain, perhaps a blocked sun roof drain?. But I can't find any real evidence of any of these, partly because I don't know where to look. 

 

Any advice on this welcome

[silver1011]

The first question would be, do you have a sunroof?

 

Since the answer is yes then there is a 99% chance it is the culprit.

 

Skoda have yet to manufacture  a watertight sunroof!

 

Check the drain holes in each corner.

[Velocemitch]

Yes it has a sunroof, I couldn't see any block in the drain system, but there again I couldn't actually find the drains either. 

[silver1011]

Two separate complaints in as many weeks over on the MkII Superb forum...

 

 

[Velocemitch]

This leak is getting ridiculous now. It’s pouring in through the binnacle at the front of the roof now. I suspect it’s interfering with the heating sensors as well.

 

im sure the drains are clear having had a wire right through and checked the water flows.

 

its booked in at a Skoda specialists next Tuesday, but this latest escalation of the problem can’t wait until then. 

 

Not it impressed with Skoda at the moment!

[a65rocket]

Open your sunroof

There should be drain holes at the front corner

Clean any muck away from the hole

use a length of wire (1.5mm electrical wire works for me) and plunge it down the hole to clean it

The exit for the hole is a rubber gromit half way up the door piller.

 

To dry your wet floor use lots of towels, I ended up removinf the swab from underneat the carpet and drying it over a week, however this meant removing seats and trim.

[Martinb100]

I used this to successfully remove the water from my foot well. Worth every penny.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb350vac-1300w-16ltr-wet-dry-vacuum-cleaner-240v/36516?tc=CT6&ds_kid=92700023756795215&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1243318&gclid=CjwKCAiAlO7uBRANEiwA_vXQ-86pK0-7SFZf0a6p_gaFMYQJLgv7F9k6BxOIonjOb0HoIP10twI1HBoC4DgQAvD_BwE

[kenfowler3966]

In some cases the sunroof frame cracks and leaks and needs to be repaired or replaced?

[br00n1e]

My 2017 L&K in dealers this week for new sunroof frame and interior strip/dry replacement of any water damaged items 

[Expatman]

In over 50 years of motoring I have had several cars with sunroofs and without exception they have all eventually leaked. Admittedly the last one was in the 1990’s but I learned my lesson by 1995 so haven’t had a sunroof since. The problem was always related to the frame or the frame/sliding glass seal and reading this thread it seems that those problems remain. I wish you luck in resolving this and having your dry car back!

Incidentally I enjoyed having the sunroof but inevitably the hassle outweighed the enjoyment.

[Stubod]

..it would be useful if you could get a "sealing kit". Touch wood, my sunroof has been dry throughout all the recent torrential rain and while I like the light that a "glass roof" provides I think I have only actually opened it once or twice since I have had the car! So a system for "sealing it closed" would be fine by me...(Duct tape may look a bit naff!)

[Spridgetman]

As posted elsewhere, in the middle of sunroof problems at the mo.

Drains are clear, so this time it could be the frame that needs re sealing. Now the Yeti sunroof is actually closed (that was a nightmare scenario!), I have placed two dehumidifiers in the vehicle. May take a couple of days!

[Paul52]

After six years of happy ownership I'm afraid I must now join the ranks of those who "decided in haste and now repent at leisure" and specified a sunroof. In the recent heavy rain a damp patch appeared at the top of the passenger side A pillar. (This happened once before but I put it down to a once off because of the near monsoon conditions that day). I've checked the front two drains and they are clear butI'm still looking for the rear ones although it seems unlikely a blockage in these would cause problems behind the windscreen. Fortunately the car is always parked under a car port rather than in the open and I no longer have to commute so the chances of the car beimg left standing in heavy rain are much reduced. It's still b****y annoying though so at some point when we get some warm, dry weather I'll no doubt look into/have a go at the Captain Tolleys(?) route. If that doesn't work, and there seem to be mixed results, it seems I have four options.

1. Get rid of the car. But at coming up for 7 years old it's not going to fetch a fortune so it's going to be a big cost of change and unless I go for another new car (a feel a new thread starting) I could be just buying someone else's problems.

2. Spend out several hundreds (I've seen a figure of £1000-£1200 somewhere) for a proper repair/replacement and athough I think Yetis are great cars and I've had to spend very litle so far this seems a big outlay for something that won't add any value.

3. Copious mastic to seal the sunroof shut and hopefully waterproof. If that doesn't kill the resale value.......

4. Live with it, expect and accept an occasional bit of leakage and run the car for as long as it is reliable and economic to do so by which time it probably will be worth little more than scrap value (especially if the loor has rotted through!).

I'm very much leaning to option 4 but it leaves me thinking should Skoda be a bit more transparent about their sunroofs? Clearly it's a common fault so even if it wasn't known about at the beginning of the Yeti production run should they still have been fitting them at the end - and if they thought it was still a good idea how about a big sign on the showroom models "We can't say that over time this sunroof will not only let in the sun but the rain as well" and then it's caveat emptor. Over the years I've noticed a number of owners mention the sunroof is the major component very clearly excluded from warranties, eventhose from Skoda. Is this an example  of Skoda being "Simply Clever" - (well, we did sort of warn you on in the small print on page 173 of the documents you won't get until we have your money). 

 

  

[br00n1e]

Mine still at dealers , waiting on thick foam pad for drivers footwell,  as it was saturated and stinking, Skoda UK have none available!

[Spridgetman]

Hi guys. Well Paul, we also have had years (8 in January) of very happy ownership. Our problems started in March last, when I found the drivers footwell soggy. Did as suggested, and unblocked the offside front tube. Then in June, same problem nearside front. Unblocked & sorted. However,  probably as we have all experienced recently- VERY heavy continued rainfall has lead to an enormous amount of water in the nearside front AND rear footwells. 
been a week as tomorrow trying to dry it out, and as said, it is the thick insulation under the carpet that is the problem to dry. I have not taken the seats out - was kind of hoping wouldn’t need to......

Completely agree with your four points. And for all those reasons, had not planned for, and do not really want to sell the car. I can live without the Panoramic roof, but feel it would need to be sealed closed.
Incidentally, never got around to checking the rear drains - not sure how to tackle them, but believe all probs experienced are from the fronts.

Would welcome further comments.

[Stubod]

..interesting post, and it's a shame that the pan roof causes problems. A bit like you having a glass roof is great, but I think we have only opened ours once in two years of ownership. (no leaks to date...touching wood).

I would be more than happy if there was a solution to "fix" it closed and seal it. I have googled some seal bead (thin T section), with a vague idea about sealing it in place and deactivating the sunroof? I am sure somebody could come up with a better solution?

[Spridgetman]

Stutbod - hi there. Was considering using some sort of (very) waterproof tape around the perimeter of the glass roof. Applied deftly - and not wanting it to be too noticeable haha!

Still wondering if the two outer scuttle drains may be involved. Has anyone else found these to be a problem? Thinking was, if they became blocked, the water would back up the pipe, and gain interior access? Again ANY comments please.

[Spridgetman]

Getting old here - replies to Stutbod few mo’s ago, and then lost what I had written haha! So, I’ll repeat. Was thinking of using a good quality waterproof tape around the perimeter of the glass roof. Executed with care, so as to be not too obvious. That way, rather than sealant, it is easier to remove.

Anyone had issues with the two outer scuttle drains blocking? If this happens, the water may enter the cabin just above the inner wheel arches. 
So far, I have removed, FOUR LITRES of water, either by a sponge or the two dehumidifiers which have taken residence inside the car!

[Spridgetman]

Ok - so I see it now 🙈🤪.

[kenfowler3966]

There have been reports of the frame itself cracking and allowing it to leak even if the drains are clear?

[Spridgetman]

Indeed Ken. 

[widdershins]

Cars leave the factory with a sunroof and enter the scrapyards here in Scotland with an open air swimming pool.  When shopping around for my 2nd hand Yeti I specifically discounted buying some cheaper and better specced ones due to the sunroofs.  Bitter experience with a couple of french cars put me right off them.  If living in the south of France, Spain, or Italy, they are probably a great thing to have.  I live in Scotland however, and consider them the spawn of Satan, especially if on a 2nd hand car. 

 

If looking for an unobtrusive way to seal up your sunroof without ruining the resale value with silicone sealant, you could perhaps try some of that wide, clear door sill protection film from Halfords etc..  Similar to what's applied on the bottom of the rear wings to stop stone damage to the paintwork.  With a bit of care it should be possible to tape over the seam with that sort of strong, wide, clear film to give a near invisible seal and yet still be able to remove it again when it comes time to sell.

[Spridgetman]

Ordered some clear Gorilla tape last night widdershins - great minds etc!

[Stubod]

..have you managed to apply any tape yet?....if you do, is it relatively easy to get it off again should the need arise?..

 

Took mine in for a service today at a local indy, and they advised that it's always the "rears" that leak, and they normally strip out the lining and glue the drain pipes in place? Although most people with this problem report it's the front footwells?

[Llanigraham]

52 minutes ago, Stubod said:

..have you managed to apply any tape yet?....if you do, is it relatively easy to get it off again should the need arise?..

 

Took mine in for a service today at a local indy, and they advised that it's always the "rears" that leak, and they normally strip out the lining and glue the drain pipes in place? Although most people with this problem report it's the front footwells?

 

I think a majority of the reports here and elsewhere the problems have been at the front, with a few reporting leaks from a frame joint in the middle.