California's long dry spell is over (although we're still in drought: reservoirs are still very low), and we've got a problem we didn't know we had in our S80, which we've owned now for two years. We're getting serious levels of water in the car when it rains. It's showing up in the right rear footwell, although we park on a slanted driveway, so it could be coming in anywhere on the right side.

I didn't see evidence of leaks around the door seals (the doors shut properly), and, no, the windows aren't open, nor is the sunroof. We cleaned out the channel between back window and trunk seal, to no effect; the trunk is staying dry anyway.

I know the only reliable test is to run water on it and sit inside looking for the drip; but any suggestions will be appreciated.

It turned out to be a leaky windshield, with the water messing up the audio module (which, for reasons known to Volvo, sits under the rear seat). The service manager convinced Volvo that the windshield should not have leaked at 48,000 miles, and we got all the work, including the removal, drying, and reinstallation of the interior, free.

You can bet we took cookies in for the service writer, service manager, and mechanics when we picked the car up!

I have seen and fixed that problem but in cars that are 10 years or older.

You have drain tubes at each corner that you need to keep clean.

The trim begins to separate from the glass.

I am hoping that your S80 is similar to the 850"s on drainage points.

One major, major leak is when the drain that drains the water from the wiper motors get clog. In the 850's, I removed the wipers and the shroud that covers the wiper motor. The metal slops towards the passenger side and there is a drain at that point.

When the drain clogs up the water enter the car through the duct for the ventilation.

Another minor leak is the sun roof glass, plus the 4 drains total, one at each pillar.

More info humbertoflores63@hotmail.com

Thanks. When it stops raining (!), I'll check those things.

then I have to figure out how to dry the carpet in some way besides sitting there with a heat gun pointed at it for five hours!

Drying:

A shop vac comes to mind for the top of the carpet. Then you need to remove the rear seat cushion, remove the plastic trim at the bottom of the door (carefully), lift the carpet, and Then:

lift the rubber sound barrier. Note the insulation under the rubber, it absorbs more than its weight in water. Remove as much free water as you can. I used a Sunday newspaper without the glossy ads and placed it between the insulation and the metal floor. Then pushed the rubber side down to compress the insulation and let the newspaper mop it up. It may take more than one newspaper! Check with your neighbors before they 'recycle' it.

I agree with HF63, a vent is probably clogged in front of the windshield.

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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat