What''s this?

So. I've been trying to find an elusive water leak so that I can dry out my carpets and hopefully have less condensation when I want to use the car. Looking to see if there was any water egress by the air con drain tube. All seems to be dry as are the usual drain hole issues and so on. But. I saw the thing in the picture and wondered what it is? I assume it is something to do with the heating but nothing moves when I mess about with the heating air flow settings. What is it and should it move? Cheers

I was just about to say it's an operating flap rod .. sigh .. Ok .. water leak .. check the foam panel behind the battery .. if it lifts or mice chew it you will get water in the car . Front sections and ... Door membranes .. Windscreen and a poor replacement .. A/C pipe blocked or disconnected .. If sunroof then drain tube issues .. If Cab then rear drains blocked and the water is running forward . If Targa .. run for the hills!! water leaks are common so wear wellies ! Whilst i very much doubt it as i've only seen this once on a Boxster .. the bulkhead itself .. its sections which are basically glued together can with age start to allow water in .. look around the base of the battery each side .. you will see a " silicone " type compound .. check inside the car in these areas for rust or a brown stain . All carpets out .. hose down the car for 20 mins then check is the only way to find a water leak .

Thank you. So, it's a coupe, non sunroof. I've figured out how to replicate water ingress, running a hose like this (pic). Car is facing up a slope and the water will eventually form a puddle behind the driver seat. Interestingly pouring a couple of gallons of water to try to work out where the leak is coming from. i.e. drain hole level or spraying water onto the air con rubber membrane doesn't seem to replicate ingress. Door membranes all good. Air con drain tube clear Windscreen was replaced but running a hose over it doesn't replicate anything. very weird.

It's possible you might be over filling that area with water .. a normal amount of rain won't be the same as a hose pipe jammed in there obviously . Having said that .. water is getting into the car .. to get to the rear part of the carpet then it has to be running via the front .. again obviously but your front carpet that side will also be saturated with water . I hope there are no control units under the driver's seat ! Ok .. so what to do .. you really need the carpet removed that side .. it's what i would do .. then water test .. My thoughts .. possibly the bulkhead panel that side .. you also have the clutch and brake master cylinders that side so an issue with the sealing there .. check for any other grommets on that area but off hand .. i'm wondering about the bulkhead seal . A shed load of tetroseal under panel sealant will stop a leak if it is that but first you need to find where its coming in from . Is there a blanking grommet that side as well ? no radio wires run through it ? seen that before with aftermarket units fitted . Carpet removal isn't too bad but circa 3 hrs remove and refit .

Hi DeMort. Totally agree re amount of water from the hose. So, have snipped the bottom off one of the drain plugs to help the water egress flow better. And have sealed off the grommet in the bulkhead where I fed a new rca cable through for an amp (my error there). What I have worked out though is that it seems (by bending my body in all sorts of directions) is that the water is not coming in through the bulkhead by the pedals etc. this is all dry, even with the hose running. It seems to work its way via the area where the front door hinge is along under the sill (where boot release is) and trickles out where the drive seat belt is attached to the chassis. Very weird but will keep an eye on it. Thanks, by the way, for taking an interest.

Ok .. that's interesting .. First off .. i have seen many times people push the grommet through so that you have a far larger hole .. it's what a lot of people do .. the only downside is mice can then enter that area very easily . I'm certainly not going to say i recommend this course of action To be honest though .. the dam things just chew through it and enter the car regardless so its of little use in this respect . For water to get into that area then i have an idea .. drivers side is a pain as the carbon canister is there .. Arch liner off .. possibly behind the carbon canister , its below it but i'm not sure if you have access .. there is a vent with some rubber flaps .. this is an air vent for when you open / close a door .. the air has to go somewhere . Im wondering if the issue is due to this .. i'm not sure how water from uptop would get here but have a look as its what i would be doing in your situation to try and move on with finding this leak . Perhaps stripped out , back on the floor , wheel on a full lock then hose it and see ? I know with the later cars there are drain bungs under this sill in case water gets in there .. i don't remember any on a 996 but its not something i've looked for so im doubting myself atm . Anyways .. that air vent is the only thing i can think of for water to get there so please rule that out . You have an issue .. not a direct ask for help on this post but either way i say what i can to help out ... it's also a bit of fun fault finding .. very difficult on here but i like a challenge !