2003 Ford Focus
Problem for Ford 2003 Focus

Water leakage/passenger footwell




By Mini Me - usenet poster

" "
Hello,

Does anyone know if there is spesific Service Bullet from Ford how
dealers should handle passenger footwell leakage problem.
My 2 years old (European modell) Focus Ternd S 1.6i 5d has had this
problem from the very begining. Local dealer has so far made 4
attempts to fix this problem without success. After repair and careful
drying it will take some time till the problem reoccur. First the
apporach was to improve the sealing in ventilation channels and last
attempt was to re-isolate passanger side mirror - didn't work.
Most innoying part was that blame must be customers! E.g. parking
position & angle was used as an excuse in the begining...

Does anyone have any success stories to solve this?

Same Problem

Feb 02, 2009

-   my 2000 x ford focus is leaking into the passenger foot well, the water runs down the kick panel onto the carpet. ive had the car to the main ford dealer and they changed the pollen filter seal and renewed the cowl at the bottom of the windscreen but its still leaking
any ideas -   sim29

Oct 20, 2008

-   water leak passenger footwell-   Guest

Aug 26, 2008

-   Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia Petrol. 2003.
My water leak into the front (left) side passenger foot- well trouble began shortly after the pollen filter had been replaced, although the problem may have started before this, as the old pollen filter was wet on one side. I replaced the pollen filter and refitted the existing cowl cover, this was my mistake, although I attempted to seal the cowl cover to the windscreen with vehicle windscreen mastic I did not at that time realize that I was creating more of a problem. What I should have done and now have done was to fit a new cowl. (Ford part number 1320540, price £18.23 +vat). This is a slightly modified version to the one originally fitted, the drip tray on the underside is slightly different and fits under the lip of the scuttle better when replacing (what I had done when fitting the original cowl back on was to not get the drip tray located properly beneath the lip on the scuttle, consequently when I clicked it into position it bent the ends of the drip tray up thereby allowing the water which gets passed the windscreen seal to run off the ends of the drip tray onto the pollen filter and eventually through the heater into the passenger foot-well.
I believe the modified cowl cover helps to prevent this mistake when fitting, (the old cover is much more difficult to locate correctly).
The new cowl cover comes complete with clips fitted.
The other items you will require are a new seal (Ford part number 1316193, price £1.98 + vat) and the Pollen filter (Ford part number 1121106, price £12.88 +vat)
There are three clips holding the cowl cover at the front (side nearest to you when you are standing in front of the car) and two at the back, there is also a screw to be removed before the cowl cover can be taken off,this screw is under a little round plastic cover and is located on the cowl cover towards the centre of the car. You may find when trying to release the three clips at the front that it is slightly easier to lift the fuse box cover first.
Since fitting the new parts I have not as yet had a re-occurrence of the problem,though it is early days yet. I have washed the car several times.
I did find that the problem when it was happening would occurr following a heavy downpour and the car had been standing for quite a long time (such as over night) and it might be a day or two after the rain that it became wet in the passenger foot- well.
I emphasize that this was my experience, you may have a different problem (though it is a well known problem).
You should only attempt to do the repair if you fell comfortable with doing it, but if you do I hope this helps.-   Guest

Best Solution

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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On 10 May 2004 06:13:58 -0700, FocusTrend5D wrote:

The problem was solved at the second attempt on my Focus. The problem is
the sealing around the pollen filter below the windscreen on the
passenger's side.

--
MCC
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Solution #2

posted on Oct 25, 2008
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Guest

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you can just get a seal they cost about £10 i have fitted loads of them at work very common problem

Solution #3

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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Are you shore it's not a mini :)
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Solution #4

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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My daughter's 2002 Focus had the same problem, and the dealer had to
call in a "Leak Specialist" that took the front cowl off, and probably
sealed around the pllen filter like the above says, and the leak was
gone! Had to take the car back, because the Specialist didn't do such
a good job putting the cowl back. The dealer made it right.
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Solution #5

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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I'm quite sure but sometimes I hope it would be Mini instead...
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Solution #6

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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So this sounds like uncompetent repair shop in my case. I have to
check if there are "leak specialists" in the yellow pages :)
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Solution #7

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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Had same problem, called my dealer and next day the booked me in a fixed the
seal that was causing the problems.
All covered by the warranty, no cost.

GL

...
<>...
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Solution #8

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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See Ford USA TSP below:

My local Ford dealer ignored that complicated procedure and simply inserted
a piece of plastic sign material between the cowl cover and the air intake
box (that holds the pollen filter). That solved the problem on both of my
Foci. The plastic was cut slightly long so it folded in the middle,
tent-like; air could get in on the sides, but water from above was stopped.
This has held up for 3 1/2 years on my first Focus. I was a little ticked
when I discovered what they had done, but I got over it because it worked.
I suspect the dealer made a nice profit from Ford on this "repair".

03-18-02 a.. BODY - WATER LEAK - CLIMATE CONTROL - WATER IN HEATER
BLOWER MOTOR CASE
b.. ELECTRICAL - CLIMATE CONTROL - WATER IN HEATER BLOWER MOTOR CASE
FORD: 2000-2003 FOCUS

ISSUE:
Some vehicles may exhibit a difficult to diagnose or difficult to repair
water leak condition in the front passenger floor area. This may be caused
by sealer skips, loose grommets, mis-positioned seals, etc.

ACTION:
Some common water leak locations and repair recommendations are listed below
to help reduce repair time and increase repair effectiveness.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Using a high-pressure water hose or a pressure washer, run water over the
roof onto the windshield being sure to direct water over the roof ditch
mouldings, and down onto the cowl (Figure 1). From the side of the car with
the hood open, direct water into the base of the A-pillar in the hood hinge
area (Figure 2). With the right inner fender splash shield removed, direct
water into the back of the right front wheel well area (Figure 3).

After Water testing is complete, inspect the following areas for visible
signs of leaks.

NOTE: IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO FULLY
ACCESS AND REPAIR SOME LEAK SOURCES. FOLLOW WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 501-12
IF INSTRUMENT PANEL REMOVAL IS NECESSARY.

If Water Is Visible At Blower Motor Connector, Blower Motor Resistor, Blower
Motor Mounting Flange, Or Foot Air Duct:
The most likely source of the leak is the fresh air intake. (Water entry
into the air inlet housing may be visible by looking through the
recirculation door as it is opened or closed. To do this, remove the glove
box, turn the ignition key to the on position and push the recirculation
button.)

Inspect for the following:

1.. Inspect for visible gaps between the windshield and the cowl grille
(Figure 4). If gaps are present remove and replace the cowl grille,
(1S4Z-5402228-CA) per Workshop Manual Section 501-02.
2.. Remove cowl panel, inspect for gaps between pollen filter housing
gasket and sheet metal plenum. If present, inspect for studs bent or off
center. If off center, use a drill to slot the housing (Figure 5).
3.. Inspect for bent plenum sheet metal flanges - repair as necessary.
4.. Inspect Pollen Filter Housing gasket for damage. If damaged, replace
Pollen filter housing (YS4Z-19N619-EA).
If Water Is Visible On Evaporator Case Seal At The Heater Core Inlet/Outlet
(Figure 6):
1.. Inspect for a mis-positioned evaporator case seal at the heater core
inlet/outlet. Repair as necessary.
2.. Inspect for loose evaporator case housing nuts. Repair as necessary.
If Water Is Visible In The Right Kick Panel/A-Post Area:
1.. Inspect for sealer skip behind windshield roof ditch mouldings. Fold
the ditch moulding back and inspect for pinhole in the body seal just above
the windshield. Reseal as necessary (Figure 7).
2.. Inspect for wire harness body grommet loose or mis-positioned.
Reposition or reinstall grommet as necessary (Figure 8).
3.. Skip in windshield urethane. Reseal as necessary.
4.. Inspect for sealer skip in A-post to cowl joint. Reseal as necessary
(Figure 9).
5.. Inspect for sealer skips between the cowl top to bulk head, just above
the main harness grommet. (Figure 10).
Rerun water test after repairs, to verify all possible leak sources are
sealed.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
YS4Z-19N619-EA Pollen Filter Housing
1S4Z-5402228-CA Cowl Grille
F7AZ-19554-CA Clear Silicone Rubber

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
01-9-2, 02-15-6

SUPERSEDES:
01-9-2

WARRANTY STATUS:
INFORMATION ONLY

OASIS CODES:
110000, 111000

...
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Solution #9

posted on May 14, 2008
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Mini Me

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Thanks Gary,

Since local repair shop hasn't been too co-operative I think I can
support them by sharing your inputs with them. I do hope that someone
can read english there :)
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