RX440h Soaking Wet Footwell

[SpringHead]

Hi

I know this topic has been covered many times and I have read most of them.

I have just bought a 56 plate 400h-l with 69k on the clock (private sale) and noticed a lot of condensation, Checked under the rubber mat of the drivers footwell to find the carpet is wet, on further inspection I think its soaking under there.
I removed all the kit in the boot area to check that water wasn't coming in from the rear lights, there was some moisture but noting to write home about.
I've checked the sunroof drains and they appear to be OK or at least the first 6" either side are.

Where else could I check for water ingress

I look forward to hearing your advice, thanks very much in advance

[Herbie]

1 minute ago, SpringHead said:

I've checked the sunroof drains and they appear to be OK or at least the first 6" either side are.

What does that actually mean?

Do you mean that the first 6" of pipe from the sunroof? If so, that means nothing - you need to check that when you pour water in at the sunroof, it pours out of the drains under the car.

Most people seem to have had success using plastic strimmer wire to push down the pipes.

If you've only got moisture in the boot area but wetness in the driver's footwell, check the rear screenwash pipe hasn't come adrift because that comes through the bulkhead on the driver's side, up the screen pillar and then along the headlining and I think there's a joint at the top of the pillar.

[SpringHead]

Hi Herbs

Thanks so much for your swift reply.

Ill check the sunroof drains better a little later, the rear screen was works and I cant find any other damp/wet areas in the car.

Ill come back once I have properly checked the sunroof drains.
 

Thanks again

[NemesisUK]

Also check the windscreen scuttle drains centre and each side of the car.

Check the condition of the cabin air filter.

[Herbie]

There are a couple of photos at the bottom of the thread below that show the location of the drains on the underside of the car, so check these because they may be full of crud:

 

 

There's also some good photos and info in this thread from the USA forum that you may find useful if you haven't already seen it:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-2nd-gen-2004-2009/648923-sunroof-moonroof-leak.html

[SpringHead]

Peter, Herbs

Ill get on this first thing in the morning.

Thank you so much

[Spacewagon52]

Keep us updated Martin - take photos!

[SpringHead]

It's the drivers/offside moonroof scuttle drain, pour water in and it comes out near the accelerator area. I can't find the exactly where at the moment, I cant see the rubber pipe but I'll crack on

[SpringHead]

As mentioned I found the issue...sort of. I do not think the drain holes under the car are blocked, when I pour water into the sunroof water comes out from them and inside.

I've used heavy duty strimmer line but can only get about a meter down the pipe work maybe to the end of the A pillar, I tried this on the passenger side too and had the same result but that one drains OK.

Im wondering if the drain pipe is broken/split or if it has a connector, if so maybe it has come off around the end of the A pillar.

The link below shows what I should probably do but I do not have the skills to remove the a large moulded piece of plastic containing loads of electrical connectors, even if I got it out the wiring is so tight I do not know how I would access the hole

https://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/topic/88629-water-leak-into-passenger-side-floor/

The bad photo I took shows the item I need to remove

On a positive note I found a plug under the drivers footwell, removed it, stuck a wet vac over it for 5 minutes and got about 4 liters of water out of the carpet

I'm a bit stuck now and rain has stopped play....surprise, surprise

[Spacewagon52]

8 hours ago, SpringHead said:

As mentioned I found the issue...sort of. I do not think the drain holes under the car are blocked, when I pour water into the sunroof water comes out from them and inside.

I've used heavy duty strimmer line but can only get about a meter down the pipe work maybe to the end of the A pillar, I tried this on the passenger side too and had the same result but that one drains OK.

 

 

 

I would persevere with the wire for a bit longer or try something else to put down the drain. Others on here might suggest something else (air). I am interested because I own a 400h and could end up with the same issue. 

[SpringHead]

After a couple of attempts I have finally sorted out the leak.

I double checked the scuttle/pipe from the sunroof with a piece of copper wire and it was clear, I do not know why I could not get the strimmer cable down there in the first instance.

As per my previous photo, I pulled off the lower large connection block to access 2 holes that are used to hold the block and just fiddled around inside these holes with a huge straightend out paper clip.

To be honest I didn’t feel anything move, no debris etc I was just about to give up but asked the wife to pour some water into the sunroof drain bfore I put the trims back on the car and low and behold the water didn’t enter the car, it fell from all the correct places underneath.

Must say I’m very happy

Thanks to all for the advice

[Illogan]

Thanks for the updates and the pics Martin.   As with so many threads on this forum, your experiences will serve to help others in the future.

(and delighted it's all sorted too!!)

[Spacewagon52]

Excellent result!