water in front passenger footwell

[Paul S]

I have just seen a 280se and it had water in the front passenger footwell under the carpet. The top surface of the carpet was dry and the undersurface was wet closer to the front seat. The air conditioning had not been used recently .What are the possible sources of the water ingress?
Thanks Paul

[CraigB]

On a w126 that is classic A/C drain hose (that they thought making out of foam rubber was a good idea!) but can't remember where the drain is for W116 - although take the point they hadn't run the air - but still it could probably hold the moisture for a long time. Did it smell like coolant? Can't remember where the heater core is either but it could be that. What I have seen in W123 is rust under the battery that has rusted through water through the top of the firewall. If you and them are serious I would suggest get the carpet out and then hold a hose over windscreen etc and see what is leaking inside, And the coolant remark assumes they have actually been running coolant!

But if firewall is rusted you want to have a real good look over rust in rest of car.

[Paul S]

Craig. It did not smell like coolant. It had no viscosity either(or a very low one...like water).But the suggestion of testing the water ingress with a hose is helpful and I will try it.
Thanks

[oliveoyl]

Mine is a/c, it is very minimal however. Good luck.