Leaky Astra

[point n squirt]

Thought I would consult the Lotus think tank again, I have an 06 Astra which has a prob with the drivers side floor front and back - they're soaking. Tried to find the cause myself and have now just got it back from Vauxhall. I checked weepholes, seals, undertray and windscreen wash. Does not get wetter when you wash it or when it rains. Vauxhall say they jet washed it, checked air con and it has not leaked - any ideas? And no I don't have a bladder prob Ian

[neil]

I had a similar problem with my old Audi Coupe (RIP) after the RAC had bodged a windscreen replacement - you've not had yours replaced recently? I'd put money on it being the windscreen seal

[point n squirt]

Nope never had a prob of any kind but it was six months old when i got it . Has been jet washed several times cant see any probs

[neil]

It's got to be rainwater getting in somehow. It might not be a bad enough leak to be noticeable when you're jet washing it, but over time it all adds up. To prove what the problem was with mine I ended up with the carpets out - was very obvious where it was coming from then - also made bailing out much easier....

[111Robin]

Unfortunately leaks like this are seldom from obvious sources. Recently cured a leak on a Rover 200 after a couple of years of bailing out the water. It was coming in between two panels at the bulkhead within a box section. Only cure was to fill the cavity with waxoil which penetrated between the panels and sealed the leak. You could only trace the leak after removing the seats, carpets and sound insulation and even then it was a barely visible track of water coming from the panel joint. Dealers will be reluctant to go to great lengths to trace a leak as they know no one will pay for hours of labour, they'll just blooter it with the jet wash and look for obvious leaks.

[point n squirt]

Unfortunately leaks like this are seldom from obvious sources. Recently cured a leak on a Rover 200 after a couple of years of bailing out the water. It was coming in between two panels at the bulkhead within a box section. Only cure was to fill the cavity with waxoil which penetrated between the panels and sealed the leak. You could only trace the leak after removing the seats, carpets and sound insulation and even then it was a barely visible track of water coming from the panel joint. Dealers will be reluctant to go to great lengths to trace a leak as they know no one will pay for hours of labour, they'll just blooter it with the jet wash and look for obvious leaks.

Yes thats about right a real bummer its a great car we only do 4000 miles per year its a top range model but i dont want to be wearing my wellys to drive. Its going to need disks pads and tyres + mot in a couple of months mabey time to look for a new car . Do Lotus make estate

[Corranga]

Buy a roll of kitchen towel, cover the interior (around where it gets wet, on the dash etc) with it, then hose the car for a bit.

Look for wet kitchen towel to see where the leak is originating from.

I perfected this technique when Erica's old mx5 boot leaked. Turned out it was because I fitted the new hood a bit wrong

Chris

[point n squirt]

I found how to solve the leak.......................... By trading it in for a Vectra VXR fully loaded and then some.Car is 11 months old and has depreciated a crazy £15,000 in a year bringing it to a afordable price and got not to bad a trade in
0 to 60 in 6.3 Thats close on my Lotus

[Matelotman]

Clarkson likes the handling of the VXR.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPHNPmfTopQ

[point n squirt]

Yip i saw that but he said the same about the Lotus at the end of the day its for going to the shops ,dogs, etc will never see a track every other reviwe seemed good