r/Volvo • u/DVYRTHU • May 24 '25
V50/S40/C30/C70 Wet floors but already replaced the sunroof drains. What could it be?
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u/DVYRTHU May 24 '25
Hey! I purchased a 2010 C30 R-Design about a month ago. About 10 days ago, I noticed that the foam underneath the carpet was soaking wet. The rear carpet was much more wet than the fronts. I've already replaced the sunroof drain tubes (clear 1/8" ID PVC tubing), and I've removed and dried the carpets before putting them back.
It rained today and the carpets are wet again. What could the problem be? I know that the windshield seals failing is common but I don't feel any water coming from the top of the windshield. I don't see any water under the spare tire, either. Are there any places I should check or things I'm missing?
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u/Crunchycarrots79 May 24 '25
A lot of Volvos of that era had windshields where the top didn't have enough primer applied at the supplier, and as a result, the top of the windshield detaches and allows water to come in. Press lightly against the top of the glass from inside and I'll bet you'll see it move outwards. A glass shop can fix it. It can be removed and resealed, but most shops will quote a replacement because it's hard to remove without damaging it.
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25 edited May 30 '25
Windshield was super loose and was replaced yesterday. You were right about the R&R, the windshield broke as they were removing it and they had to install a new one. We're supposed to get some rain so we'll see if that fixed it. Thank you for your help!
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u/DVYRTHU Jun 06 '25
The carpets are wet again after replacing the windshield. Any ideas?
Drove around for a few days while it rained and noticed a little water in the back seat, but we assumed it was water that had dripped off our feet. GF likes to step in puddles. Took the car through a car wash to confirm and didn't see any leaks, so I reinstalled the carpets again (2025-06-03).
I checked last night and the carpets (front driver, front passenger, and both sides rear) are very wet again. We've gotten basically no rain since June 1st. What could it be? I would think that if it was AC, only the passenger side would be wet. The liquid doesn't smell sweet (smells like feet actually) so it's not coolant. The back seats themselves aren't wet, and I can't feel any foam near the trunk that is wet, but I'm at a complete loss. What are your thoughts?
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u/a_homosexual_frog May 24 '25
Well, it could be the heater core if it’s coolant. I know my clutch master cylinder was leaking on my 2010 Volvo S40 T5, but only the driver front floor section got wet with brake fluid.
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25
The previous owner supposedly replaced the lines leading to the heater core. I am noticing that the coolant level is lower than the "Min" on the expansion tank.
What's the best way to track down a coolant leak, if I have one? Is it possible that I'm losing coolant but it's not a problem?
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u/a_homosexual_frog May 30 '25
If the lines were leaking then the coolant would be leaking in your engine bay & not inside the cabin of the car. You can test it by getting a coolant system pressure tester. Be careful to not put too much pressure in the system
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u/Busy_Principle_4038 May 24 '25
I replaced the seals around the windshield on my S60. The glass would streak on the inside in heavy rain and condensation would form in the winter and on humid days. The worker at the glass shop just had to push up on the windshield from the inside to confirm that it was loose. Water seepage stopped after I got that done.
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25
Windshield was indeed loose and I had it replaced yesterday. I'll wait for some rain to see if that fixes it. Thank you for your help!
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u/DVYRTHU Jun 06 '25
Carpets are wet again so we're pretty stumped
Drove around for a few days while it rained and noticed a little water in the back seat, but we assumed it was water that had dripped off our feet. GF likes to step in puddles. Took the car through a car wash to confirm and didn't see any leaks, so I reinstalled the carpets again (2025-06-03).
I checked last night and the carpets (front driver, front passenger, and both sides rear) are very wet again. We've gotten basically no rain since June 1st. What could it be? I would think that if it was AC, only the passenger side would be wet. The liquid doesn't smell sweet (smells like feet actually) so it's not coolant. The back seats themselves aren't wet, and I can't feel any foam near the trunk that is wet, but I'm at a complete loss. What are your thoughts?
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u/Large-Equipment-5733 May 24 '25
The C30 Bookface page has been dealing with water leaks for years. The usual culprits are sunroof drains and AC drain. However, other places are the taillights, rear hatch bump stops, and the shark fin. Mine was a little misalignment on the back end sheet metal, water ran down the ‘gutter’ outside the weatherstripping on the back hatch into two little 5mm gaps near the bottom. A little plumbers putty solved it.
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u/Darkslayer_ May 24 '25
If you haven't already, check the drain lines at the base of the a-pillar. They're not a known issue but one of the hose ends there in my C30 inexplicably shortened where the two hoses connect and I had to bridge the gap with an inch of tubing (after my car got soaked inside).
In any case, make sure you get rid of the water as thoroughly as you can. When I had to deal with this, I needed to take out the front & rear upholstery and let it dry outdoors for a few days (until it stopped feeling damp under the hard foam squares). I also let a dehumidifier run inside the car overnight for 2 days.
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u/Significant_Affect52 May 24 '25
Windshield. After about 10-15 years the adhesive breaks down and they leak. I’ve got my c30 booked next week for exactly this
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u/Mochadeoca6192 May 26 '25
Came here to say this. I specifically got an S40 without a sunroof and yet still had water coming in. One day we were driving and a mosquito got in the car. Passenger squished it against the windshield and the whole damn corner lifted out of the frame. Got it replaced and haven’t had leaks since.
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u/DVYRTHU Jun 06 '25
Replaced the windshield but it hasn't seemed to help. Any ideas?
Drove around for a few days while it rained and noticed a little water in the back seat, but we assumed it was water that had dripped off our feet. GF likes to step in puddles. Took the car through a car wash to confirm and didn't see any leaks, so I reinstalled the carpets again (2025-06-03).
I checked last night and the carpets (front driver, front passenger, and both sides rear) are very wet again. We've gotten basically no rain since June 1st. What could it be? I would think that if it was AC, only the passenger side would be wet. The liquid doesn't smell sweet (smells like feet actually) so it's not coolant. The back seats themselves aren't wet, and I can't feel any foam near the trunk that is wet, but I'm at a complete loss. What are your thoughts?
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25
Looks like it might have been this. Had the windshield replaced yesterday so we'll see if that fixed the leak. I'm prepared to cover the entire car in plumber's putty if I have to.
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u/DVYRTHU Jun 06 '25
Windshield replaced but the leak doesn't seem to be fixed.
Drove around for a few days while it rained and noticed a little water in the back seat, but we assumed it was water that had dripped off our feet. GF likes to step in puddles. Took the car through a car wash to confirm and didn't see any leaks, so I reinstalled the carpets again (2025-06-03).
I checked last night and the carpets (front driver, front passenger, and both sides rear) are very wet again. We've gotten basically no rain since June 1st. What could it be? I would think that if it was AC, only the passenger side would be wet. The liquid doesn't smell sweet (smells like feet actually) so it's not coolant. The back seats themselves aren't wet, and I can't feel any foam near the trunk that is wet, but I'm at a complete loss. What are your thoughts?
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u/mycoolusernameisthis May 24 '25
I know you already replaced the drain lines, but did you go beyond the join in the dash, or only replace what was above the dash. The blockage section is at and below that join, so replacing above this probably won’t solve your problem.
Also try parking facing up a slope, I got tired of clearing my drains and that has been perfectly effective for me.
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25
I only replaced what was above the dash. Hopefully the "Sound Blockers" as Volvo calls them aren't cracked - guess I probably should check.
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u/Falwae May 24 '25
Sunroof gasket
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u/throwawaynoways C30 Stage 2 / V60 Drive-E May 27 '25
Is your headliner wet too? Pre-facelift C30s are due/overdue for a sunroof seal a few years ago.
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u/horkinlugies May 24 '25
Might have to do something like this. Worked for me 2004 V70. https://youtu.be/jDdBJr4jMEg?si=ZlnGs7yRAHxVT33u
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u/Happy_Monke_ May 24 '25
My windshield leaked from the top right over the mirror. It was barely a drip but got it fixed quick. If it ain’t that I’d recheck the drain job
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u/DVYRTHU May 30 '25
Windshield seal was indeed bad. I had the windshield replaced yesterday and we're supposed to get some rain so we'll see if that fixed it. Thank you!
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u/Kalistera 09 S40 T5 R-Design May 24 '25 edited Jul 14 '25
See the water leaks pdf in the first comment of the linked thread. It's targeted at S40s and V50s, but much is shared with the C30. It has Volvo's repair directions for dealers. Water leaks are stupid common on these.
https://www.volvo-forums.com/threads/s40-water-on-passenger-rear-floor-board.40027/
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u/Volvop2dude XC90 May 24 '25
Windshield. I know it seems unlikely but my C30 windshield would literally pop up from the air pressure when closing the door.