Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 10:27:14

Title: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 10:27:14
Hi guys, my omega has developed a leak somewhere, there's a pool of water behind the driver's seat and the driver's  footwell is also wet. Scuttle is clean - I poured two gallons of water down the front window and it all came down along the chasis leg where the drain is. Pollen filter is dry, car has no sunroof.
How big of a job is it to remove the carpet?
It will need to dry until spring considering the amount of water in it... :'(
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 November 2019, 11:09:39
Remove the kick panel, slacken the seat bolts and hoik it out. Rear requires the seat base to also be pulled, along with the front seat track caps from the rear foot well, but otherwise lifts out.

Pulling the front seat gives much easier access but don't forget to disconnect the battery about half an hour before...  ;)

Also you will need to remove the underlay/insulation as that holds a good gallon or so and won't dry out if you leave it.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Andy B on 18 November 2019, 11:27:13
......

Also you will need to remove the underlay/insulation as that holds a good gallon or so and won't dry out if you leave it.

Carpets in cars hold a phenomenal amount of water before the surface appears wet. Just been through this with SWMBOs car .... scuttle blocked,  water entered car via fan & soaking a resistor hedgehog .... sound familiar? Spent ages when the weather was nice trying to dry it out with the carpet lifted as much as I could  and a dehumidifier. It seemed fairly dry but i notice now that the inside of the screen is misty ..... but she's not said anything  ::)
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 11:31:58
Thank you both for quick responses  :y I've already started the job and found a centre console removal guide. It's first day without rain today :o I need to be fast
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 November 2019, 11:35:27
You don't need to remove the centre console  :y

Undo the bolt either side at the back of it makes it a bit easier to pull the rear carpet, but isn't strictly necessary  :y
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 12:01:09
Rear carpet done...there' s at least a gallon of water in rear footwell :o How do you remove footrest plastic/ or kick panel...? Can't pull front carpet out
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Enceladus on 18 November 2019, 12:59:27
It seems to me that the pre-facelift cars are less prone to scuttle blocking than the post facelifts. The nearside rubber drain is in a different place and points downwards.

Did you have very heavy rain recently? Might be that yours is/was partially blocked and the sheer volume of rain water overwhelmed the drains remaining capacity? We've had rain like that several times this year.

I'd have another look in the nearside scuttle with a good bright LED torch. Remove the cabin air pollen filter first. I find a long heavy cable-tie is a good tool to clear out the drain.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 13:06:49
Raining hasn't stopped for two weeks in a row...today is the first sunny day.
Well carpets are out now, driver's side underlay had to be torn in 3 pieces sadly...full of water. Passenger side fotwell is bone dry surprisingly   ??? And that' s where the ait intake is :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 November 2019, 13:33:15
Rear carpet done...there' s at least a gallon of water in rear footwell :o How do you remove footrest plastic/ or kick panel...? Can't pull front carpet out
Pop off the Opel covers from both of the door openings, and undo all the screws... Second screw at base of B post, also B post lower panel simply pops off (watch the location against the door seal on refitting) and side cover of seat rail simply slides forward  :y

Front panel has a screw at the front of the sill panel plus another in the centre of the face of it. No need to touch bonnet release (if applicable). It then pulls forward and towards the bulkhead to release the locating pin.  :y

Less time to do than to type ::)
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: luizvivas on 18 November 2019, 13:36:13
In Omega A, the I.E. module is located at the base of column A. I have seen leaks in friend's cars, during engine washing or after heavy rain, water entered the car down the I.E.'s wiring and flooded the carpets. Where is I.E. located in Omega B?
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 November 2019, 13:39:30
I E module?
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 13:52:23
Done now, mopped the water until dry and left an electric heater inside - away from anything flammable. Will leave with on for a few hours than leave an electric dehumidifier over night. It won't save the problem but any new leak will be visible
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: luizvivas on 18 November 2019, 13:55:44
I E module?

I.E. module.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 18 November 2019, 14:10:20
My rear footwell is constantly creating itself a small lake, so watching this with interest. Have unblocked all the drains/scuttle so no idea where mine is getting in, so can't help you OP  :-[. Usually the driver's footwell only when scuttle blocked. My driver's footwell is fine, but rear passengers behind driver is sodden.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 18 November 2019, 14:22:33
I'll report back when/if I find the cause of the leak. There could however be some diferrences between RHD and LHD aircon channels...I wouldn't know that
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 18 November 2019, 15:56:56
My rear footwell is constantly creating itself a small lake, so watching this with interest. Have unblocked all the drains/scuttle so no idea where mine is getting in, so can't help you OP  :-[. Usually the driver's footwell only when scuttle blocked. My driver's footwell is fine, but rear passengers behind driver is sodden.
Scuttle blocked.

Water drains to the lowest point...ie the rear footwell on the Omega.

Can also be rust related and would recommend removing the rear carpet until you find the leak. Failure to do so will result in needing the floor welding in the near future  ;)
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: iansoutham on 18 November 2019, 19:10:14
http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=134175.0

Have a read of this and let me know if it is similar to yours.

This was my problem exactly
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 18 November 2019, 19:13:33
My rear footwell is constantly creating itself a small lake, so watching this with interest. Have unblocked all the drains/scuttle so no idea where mine is getting in, so can't help you OP  :-[. Usually the driver's footwell only when scuttle blocked. My driver's footwell is fine, but rear passengers behind driver is sodden.
Scuttle blocked.

Water drains to the lowest point...ie the rear footwell on the Omega.

Can also be rust related and would recommend removing the rear carpet until you find the leak. Failure to do so will result in needing the floor welding in the near future  ;)

Scuttle drains have been thoroughly cleaned on regular basis, I am suspecting a rusty hole somewhere is the issue on the firewall. And yes, carpet is out, as you say, for rust /mould prevention!
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 18 November 2019, 19:37:33
I had similar recently. Traced it to a misplaced grommet down below the pollen filter housing. Removed all carpets and foam underlay on n/s of car. The foam stuff is at least 4 inches thick up near the bulkhead so needs to come out to be dried. It took weeks to dry all mine out properly. Reinstalled it all today. Its a pita job, but essential if theres water under there. It will sit there and rot the floorpan if left.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Nick W on 19 November 2019, 11:53:37
I E module?

I.E. module.


thank you for the clarification :y


But what is it??
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: luizvivas on 19 November 2019, 13:44:02
I E module?

I.E. module.


thank you for the clarification :y


But what is it??

I forgot to translate electronic injetion.
Should have written Engine E.C.U. ;D ;D ;D
Sorry.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 20 November 2019, 10:27:39
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0b4z6Pr/IMG-20191120-105432.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06mLYQRZ)
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 20 November 2019, 10:28:02
<a href='https://postimg.cc/DSqzZ7pk' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/DSqzZ7pk/IMG-20191120-105440.jpg' border='0' alt='IMG-20191120-105440'/></a>
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 20 November 2019, 10:33:47
<a href='https://postimg.cc/cg2L5Ckj' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/cg2L5Ckj/IMG-20191120-105926.jpg' border='0' alt='IMG-20191120-105926'/></a>
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 20 November 2019, 10:36:05
Managed to upload first pic, other two won't  :( Rust hole behing the pedals :-[ ...a year after I replaced rear panels and wheellarches :-[
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 20 November 2019, 10:53:26
Bulkhead repairs are in restoration territory  :-\
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: iansoutham on 20 November 2019, 11:10:27
Exactly the same area as mine was but worse.

If you take the front wheel off and look in the arch where all the panels meet, you will find a small hole there. You can patch that from outside as a temp thing until the weather warms up a bit for a proper look. Just treat the inside rust for now to stop it spreading
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 20 November 2019, 11:40:30
Yes Iansoutham, there's a hole there and I can see right out trough it. I just came back from an older fella who owns a bodyshop and he said it needs to be patch welded. Two days work he said. The same guy who replaced rear panels and wheellarces last year. I'm taking Omega there on monday morning.
Thanks for your help guys.
One of the reasons I'm still kepping to Omegas is this forum.
Thanks :y
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Nick W on 20 November 2019, 12:12:25
Bulkhead repairs are in restoration territory  :-\


easier than external bodywork though. But it underlines the need to look at the whole car when contemplating just patching up some frilly sills. It's why I decided not to do mine last year.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 28 November 2019, 14:42:24
An update on this thread.
Leak sorted out, rust cut out and patched/welded, all nice and ok BUT
thick sponge-like insulation material under the driver's footwell has disintegrated into small pieces and is unusable now.
What material can I use instead?
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 28 November 2019, 14:51:33
Possibly layers of foam carpet underlay ? Best option if possible would be to source some from a local scrapyard.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Nick W on 28 November 2019, 16:50:22
An update on this thread.
Leak sorted out, rust cut out and patched/welded, all nice and ok BUT
thick sponge-like insulation material under the driver's footwell has disintegrated into small pieces and is unusable now.
What material can I use instead?


I would use the thin(6 or 8mm thick) closed cell matting sold for standing on at workbenches. Most DIY places sell it in 1m squares here; £15 is easily enough to do a whole car.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 28 November 2019, 17:07:15
I allready ordered it on ebay, waiting for it, should be here soon. :y
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: Rangie on 28 November 2019, 17:42:01
Glad you got this sorted nothing worse than water getting in  to a car, that's why I stopped buying Fords many years ago, I had everything from Escorts to Granadas & everyone let in water onto the carpets.
Title: Re: Leak somewhere and carpet removal
Post by: danzigfan on 29 November 2019, 14:54:17
Insulation has arrived today and I went to install it. All done now - front driver side covered, passenger side which was dry covered in another layer and covered red footwells too + some still left for when I'll put the carpets back. I went for a drive and I must say I'm impressed with level of sound deadening it offers. Job done for now until the carpets dry trough.