Leak in passenger footwell – no improvement | SwedeSpeed

The trials and tribulations of keeping my car in Connecticut, while I live in Brooklyn! Noticed that my 07 XC70 is exhibiting a similar leak in decent rain over the weekend. Also noticed telltale bits of croaked foam dust on top of the the owner’s manual in the glovebox.

I don’t like the idea of resealing using silicone or whatever, especially if it ultimately doesn’t work! Has anyone found a more “factory” solution, like a way to replace the degraded foam?

I have all the timing belt parts sitting waiting to install in a couple weeks, but honestly, if this leak is going to be an issue, I’m not sure I’ll proceed. Bad experiences with incurable leaks in other cars. Would love any hopeful tips!

This will not be a short post.

With how expensive cars are, this leak fix is nothing compared to a new/different vehicle, If you’re prepared to do timing, then this is nothing.

I should also have said that my water issue is RESOLVED. I never came back and apologies to those who read this thread and felt helpless. I’ll get into my fix below.

If you are here then you’ve likely already watched all of peppermints youtube videos on volvo leaks. Make sure this “leak” is the one in this thread and not another one (windshield, roof drains, door seals etc…)

To test if it is this area, the most surefire way is to remove your windshield shroud (remove wiper arms) and pour water directly down the blower motor area. It is designed to handle SOME water so this isn’t an issue, but if that water is coming into the cabin here, it won’t matter if you seal up that foam dust cover or not. Make sure to put water only down the blower motor and not around the side where the foam has broken down, as this will present itself as the same issue. A step further on this test is to remove your glovebox entirely and see if you have water held up in the HVAC system, call it part number 10 in the diagram above by uqj83l . If your answers to these questions are yes, then, again, it won’t matter if you reseal that foam piece. It will help, but won’t fix it.

I’ll also say, my foam fix as mentioned above did work pretty good if I say so myself I hate to say that it may have reduced some howling from air through the engine bay. But this did NOT fix the leak issue.

Now to the FIX.

Volvo Cowl Protector – Genuine Volvo 8693157

That’s literally it. A 20 dollar throw away part. You’ve likely read that others have used a half cut detergent bottle, or some other item. But I’m not that crafty and like the OEM fix. This is what Volvo themselves used to fix this design flaw. If you can put gas in a car then you can see how this thing fits. It fit nearly perfect in my S60 and you XC70 will likely be even better. I did use some more marine grade sealant to seal it in place and then zip ties near the edges, but that was overkill.

Basically, you need to block the rain from getting in that motor assembly in the first place, and this will do it.

Don’t give up on this thing. Pull the carpets back, make sure its all dried out, and then get this leak fixed!

You don’t stop water, you work with it!