XJS Leaking

[ruth.peak]

Please help, I own an XJS 3.6 1991 coupe which is has a serious leak into the footwell and rear footwell on passenger side. Water is also ingressing the compartment with the fuses and immobiliser area. I have eliminated the following: windscreen seals, drainage holes and door seals but water is still coming in quite considerably especially with so much rain. I am now at a total loss and any ideas would be greatly welcomed. Many thanks Ruth

[dhdove]

Hi Ruth

First, welcome to the JEC XJS bulletin boards. There is a wealth of knowledge here and I am sure we will be able to diagnose your leak.

Leaks into the cabin are the Achilles heel of the XJS and can be caused by a variety of problems. Please could you post further details as to how you have eliminated the items you listed?

The air con drains block for a past-time resulting in the condensate overflowing into the cabin floor and surprisingly there can be a lot of it! If your air con works you need to check this, it overflows the chamber in the centre of the car and then leaks into the footwells form the fan box trunking on either or both sides, it will also cause noisy/ failed fans on one or both sides of the car.

I assume that there are no holes in the floorpan?

Windscreen leaks are also commonplace and whilst it may look OK it may still leak from places you haven't checked or more to the point, cant see.

Door seals also leak, usually on the shoulder of the door where the profile changes to curve around and forward to meet the wing.

Previously when faced with similar problems I have stripped the carpet and under carpet out from the affected side and then dusted the bare metal with talcum powder, this will highlight the water track and give you a clue as to the source.

Please post further details and I'm sure we can help.

Best Wishes
TonyS

[almcl]

To add to TonyS's comprehensive list, the air con plenum chamber (the bit under the grille at the base of the windscreen) has drains that can get blocked up and this will eventually release water into the cab.

Windscreen replacement is also a favourite for starting leaks. If yours has been replaced recently, this would be my first bet. XJSs have a dreadful reputation amongst the glass replacers and many won't touch them as a result. I had my (facelift) one done a while ago by a national chain and the result was pools of water every time it rained. Eventually I had to have another installer redo the job, properly.

[poprivet]

More odd that the rear footwell is also affected. On a 20+ year old model unless it has had some serious bodywork done recently I would also be looking at the inner wing/footwell area, seat belt mounting area, joint between floor and centre gearbox cover, drain under the chrome A post covers, door seals and sill ends.

The fuse boxes are quite high up which indicates windscreen/firewall. Quite likely to be multiple entry points I'm sorry to say.

[ruth.peak]

Firstly, Many thanks for your quick responses and there are a number of things that are mentioned which i havent thought of and that my mechanic has not looked into so thank you again. There has been no structural body work been done so can eliminate that. The windscreen seal has been replaced twice and resealed by my mechanic. It is definately not the drain holes on the grill and they are clear. I think there are a number of things that you lovely people have mentioned so i will now pass this on and get them checked over one by one. As i eliminate items i will post more in the hope i can finally resolve the issue. Many thanks Ruth

[ptjs1]

Ruth,

Sorry to hear that you've got water leak problems. As you've read, there are a number of places from which water may ingress.

In the May 2010 edition of the magazine, I wrote about water leaks. You may get some ideas by re-reading that article.

Notwithstanding that you mechanic has fitted a new screen seal, I would re-examine that. We see more cars with leaks from corrosion of the windscreen flange than perhaps any other reason. Coupes can also suffer from blockages behind the A-post chromes from which water drains from the roof. The magazine article shows how it drains to the front wing flange. Corrosion at that point of the wing to inner wing flange (difficult to see unless you unbolt the wing) can also cause water to then leak back into the inner bulkhead.

As you've appreciated, the investigation can be difficult. Start by lifting the carpet and insulation on the passenger side, dry the floorpan, dust with talc and wait for two days (at the moment, it will definitely rain by then!).

Good luck!

Paul

[ruth.peak]

Hi thanks for all your suggestions which I will pass on the car is in immaculate condition I have spent time and effort on her, new window seals and doors new fuel tank regassed, etc, new water bottle for screen and new pipe work to it, I live alone and she is my real love. I am devastated by the amount of water coming into her which is dripping in from the passenger side around the emobilizer and spare fuze box compartment. as I am no mechanic I and the mechanic helping are totally at a loss. any more suggestions would be greatfully recieved. Ruth

[ptjs1]

Ruth,

You haven't identified your location area in your profile. We may be able to offer suggestions as to who you could take the car in your local area.

Paul

[Tuffareo]

Paul,
I have read your comments with interest, as my Cabriolet has water ingress and having cleared out the drainage channels, isolated the windscreen water still comes in. I previously had been a member of the club when I owned a Mk2 for 20+ years, but as I rejoined the club in October 2011 I do not have, nor can I locate a copy of your article. Can you suggest how to view a copy as by everyone's admission this is a common problem and further exposure could benefit many.

roy

[ruth.peak]

Hi Paul and all the kind people who have posted me information regarding leaks. I live in Saltash and am a member of the Tamar club, . There are no leaks in the floor of the car, I have yet to check the air con pan butnot sure where to locate it perhaps you can help. I have as I have said, replaced the eindow seal and have had the people who did it reseal it twice. The water is coming in on the passenger side you can see it dripping if you remove the small box on the side of footwell which houses the spare fuses and the imobilizser box, but cant see where it is comin in. I have removed all the carpets and strange it seeps into rear of passenger footwell. My Mechanic who I have dealt with for years on other cars is stumped too, but is not terribly knowledgable with jags. The car has 60,000 mile on the clock has no underneath problems or engine probs is immaculate inside and out and I am miffed at present. any further suggestions will be greatfully recieved. I am off work tomorrow so can investigate once more. Ruth saltash cornwall