Water running into drivers footwell after washing the car

[JoeOtero]

I would advise lifting the carpet under the floor mats. There’s most likely black mold.

Thanks for the feedback \ advice OliverB.. Much appreciated.. I believe most if not all was contained on the floor mat.. I'll inspect further and pull up the carpet if I find it necessary.

 

[JoeOtero]

A regular garden hose typically flows 9 to 24 gallons per minute (GPM), whereas a residential pressure washer flows a miniscule 1.2 to 2.5 GPM by comparison. With 10X the water from a garden hose, one can much more easily flood a vulnerable area.

I use a low pressure, 1400 psi, miniature, electric power washer for all car washes, which I hold at least 24 inches away from any surface. I also do not spray directly toward the lower windshield area or directly into the door crevices, always at angle. I direct the water toward the side or toward the back of the windshield. It's much quicker and easier to rinse using far less water.

I've not had any water intrusion anywhere after many washes, but I also did the DIY expanded silicone rubber membrane fix to protect the electronics.

View attachment 90356

I was careful around the hood vents... not so much on the windshield..

 

[JoeOtero]

A regular garden hose typically flows 9 to 24 gallons per minute (GPM), whereas a residential pressure washer flows a miniscule 1.2 to 2.5 GPM by comparison. With 10X the water from a garden hose, one can much more easily flood a vulnerable area.

I use a low pressure, 1400 psi, miniature, electric power washer for all car washes, which I hold at least 24 inches away from any surface. I also do not spray directly toward the lower windshield area or directly into the door crevices, always at angle. I direct the water toward the side or toward the back of the windshield. It's much quicker and easier to rinse using far less water.

I've not had any water intrusion anywhere after many washes, but I also did the DIY expanded silicone rubber membrane fix to protect the electronics.

View attachment 90356

the coverage seen in your photo looks to be very comprehensive..

 

[JoeOtero]

A regular garden hose typically flows 9 to 24 gallons per minute (GPM), whereas a residential pressure washer flows a miniscule 1.2 to 2.5 GPM by comparison. With 10X the water from a garden hose, one can much more easily flood a vulnerable area.

I use a low pressure, 1400 psi, miniature, electric power washer for all car washes, which I hold at least 24 inches away from any surface. I also do not spray directly toward the lower windshield area or directly into the door crevices, always at angle. I direct the water toward the side or toward the back of the windshield. It's much quicker and easier to rinse using far less water.

I've not had any water intrusion anywhere after many washes, but I also did the DIY expanded silicone rubber membrane fix to protect the electronics.

View attachment 90356

The coverage seen in your photo looks to be very comprehensive.. Did you use a heat gun to get the silicone rubber membrane to form?

 

[Foosh]

I was careful around the hood vents... not so much on the windshield..

It's not the hood vents that are as much concern (although I spray away from them too) as is the drain at the bottom of the windshield. If a lot of water is channeled down the windshield, that can pool up quickly and drain down into the firewall area and potentially into the interior.

The membrane I installed likely reduces that risk.

 

[OliverB]

A regular garden hose typically flows 9 to 24 gallons per minute (GPM), whereas a residential pressure washer flows a miniscule 1.2 to 2.5 GPM by comparison. With 10X the water from a garden hose, one can much more easily flood a vulnerable area.

I use a low pressure, 1400 psi, miniature, electric power washer for all car washes, which I hold at least 24 inches away from any surface. I also do not spray directly toward the lower windshield area or directly into the door crevices, always at angle. I direct the water toward the side or toward the back of the windshield. It's much quicker and easier to rinse using far less water.

I've not had any water intrusion anywhere after many washes, but I also did the DIY expanded silicone rubber membrane fix to protect the electronics.

My front end is covered by a metal sheet that sits all the way up underneath the windshield and the the HVAC has 2 layers of EPDM that are literally bolted through the airbox and sealed with silicone and yet, water still gets in through the firewall. If it's raining hard enough, water will start seeping through the air filter regardless.

My front end and interior is to be removed for inspection per Lotus later this year. I don't think I'm allowed to share the pictures because of the watermarks, but the color of the car matches @Billan 's so I'm guessing this is totally unrelated to the membrane issue. My car will most likely need a third DUCT ASSY-AIR COOLING INLET (8890591713).

@JoeOtero

Def get those carpets looked at and demand a replacement if need be.