Water inside your Renault Zoe? How to fix water getting in to the footwells. (extended version)

[@GoGreenAutos]

If you've found this video particularly useful or maybe this saved you money or time, then please do at least click the like button and add a comment. If you'd like to give a 'super thanks', you can buy a coffee, a pint or contribute to the running costs of this channel via the Thanks button above. KZbin shares 70% of the donations with the video creators.

[@MattJarvis-m3i]

Thanks so much for this video. Fixed mine today. After weeks of water in my foot well.

[@Kosakken]

I can't believe this clip has only 93 likes? It's extremely informative and can save so much money for people having this issue. Water damages are not to be trifled with!

[@GoGreenAutos]

Totally agree. The channel gets very few views.

[@christianadelso106]

Thanks so much for the video!! Was thinking of bringing it in to a mechanic but did the job in under an hour with the help of your vid! Thanks!

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped

[@David34981]

Thanks so much for this valuable video. I just did the work today, it's been raining a lot in Belgium (like always) and when I came back from holiday my ZOE was completely soaked in the driver's footwell. It's fixed now, and I did it for free, thanks to you! I do think Renault should really build their cars better. I like my ZOE, but in fact I probably only do because it's an electric car, and I bought it quite cheap. It drives absolutely great. But as for the rest, it's a car with a lot of (build) quality issues.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped. Yes the Zoe is built to a budget.

[@briandowling8372]

Just want to thank you for posting this. It helped me greatly to clean out the drain on my car today. Unfortunately it was the driver side (RHD car) that was blocked but your tips on moving the side of the scuttle and then the wiper assembly helped a lot. I saw other comments about it being difficult to re-seat the drain funnel so I left it in place and tried to work around that. I used some small flexible tubing and pushed that through to unblock the funnel. It worked quite well.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped. Thicker strimmer cord can also do the trick too.

[@andrewgardner7104]

Thanks Matt for your time and effort in a freezing garage, top bloke.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks.

[@My_HandleIs_]

Great video! We have two Zoes in the extended family. Will make sure NOT to park under trees. The french car designers should be made to go and clean ALL Zoes, as punishment for their stupidity to construct such a moronic solution. Car will rust from several places with standing water or wet debris.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Many cars are similar to be honest. But Renaults do seem to put right angles or funnels in the drain channels so it just causes to block sooner. The Kangoos have this silly design kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2rNo4yLfr2Cp9Usi=ci7PD2twCP7bDpWj

[@MrBalno]

Great video thanks this explains why after a rainy day I'm hearing a aquarium like noise everytime I'm going around a corner 😃i will clean it out before water gets inside the car .

[@marshal-psiren]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I noticed that the foam under the mats on the drivers side was damp to touch on my ZE40 2017 Zoe. Took the assembly apart as described and cleaned the whole bonnet area as well.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped

[@michaelvickersuk]

Very worthwhile checking this before there's any signs of water entering the footwells. Our Zoe wasn't showing any symptoms and the area looked clear when viewed through the outer plastic grill, but with everything removed the driver's side drain was full of silt so a blockage was likely imminent despite things looking okay externally. Many thanks for the video Matt.

[@michaelvickersuk]

Well worth removing the wheel arch liner too, again on our Zoe there was a large amount of muck trapped there despite things looking okay through the outer plastic grills below the windscreen. Remove the arch liners also makes cleaning the exit of the drain plug fair easier and/or removal of this so it can be washed separately.

[@nb987]

Thanks for a great video which identifies the issue and clearly shows the parts/areas involved. Having just done this myself on my wife's Zoe, if your black drainage parts are as clogged as mine were, it will be impossible to clean them without pushing the parts through the engine as shown on the driver side of your video. It's therefore going to be necessary to lift out the wheel arches on both sides to do the job properly. In fact I now wonder if there's any point going in through the top - if you're going to lift out the wheel arches anyway, maybe best to just do that, pull through the black drainage parts to clean them, then push them back in place from below. It takes a little patience to wedge them back in from below but it's doable. I think that would save a good amount of time overall and will do the job properly. Just my opinion anyway.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad the video helped. You're probably right that attacking this from the wheel arch liner would be easier. Certainly on the drivers side as it's behind the wiper motor. However, going in from the top allows you to clear out the debris collecting in the tray. I've been also using a long nose blow gun on the air line and this does a good job of cleaning from the top and clearing the drains.

[@pjelbro3492]

Many thanks for that. Perfectly described and documented with helpful hints as well.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks. Glad you found the video useful.

[@dcvariousvids8082]

Haven’t got a Zoe but on the shortlist, so something to lookout for and now I know how to remedy it if found. Thank you.

[@LukeHines]

I appreciate you creating this video. It was incredibly useful and enabled me to resolve the problem on my own.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped

[@johntisbury]

Thanks for this Matt, as you know as you sent me the link to this video, I will now be following your detailed step by step instructions.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thanks for adding a comment John. Hope it goes ok. Its easy enough to do if you have the right tools.

[@johntisbury]

@@GoGreenAutos I can confirm it was easy to do and now the water flows clear and strong. Both sides were blocked. De-humidifier now in the car drying it out.

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@johntisbury Brilliant.

[@daren_waters]

Great video thanks. I've taken to routinely poking a stiff spring (like a drain cleaner pipe) through from the top to keep it clear, followed by a jug of water to flush it through. Saves the hassle of taking it all apart. Thanks for the clear explanation.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped. Preventative maintenance is always best!

[@Leilahodgkins]

This is a great video! Really clear, thanks for being so helpful.

[@elitemario8188]

Great video. I had all the foam under the floor and pedals soaking wet. Dryed it ouy by towels and pussing water out follwed by running a fan an a dehumidifyer for a few days. Stil after this there would be wet foam up under the panel on the drivers side. I got that dry using one of those heaters for drying wet shoes. The one with flexible tubes that goes into the shoes. I could get the two tubes pushed up behind the wet foam panels and let it run for a day. That did it.

[@GoGreenAutos]

The best way to dry the car out is to use the car's air conditioning as it's a dehumidifier. If you can safely leave the car running, charge it up, keep windows and doors closed and then leave it running for as long as possible with the heater and air con on. i.e. all day and night for a whole weekend or longer if required.

[@sooperzero4087]

Wow! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!

[@GoGreenAutos]

My pleasure

[@paulianclarke]

Thank you, completed this today thanks to your video

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad the video helped

[@hojo9115]

Good video very helpful thankyou

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad you found it useful.

[@dixonsindorset]

Thanks for posting, I'm sure many will find this useful. I wish I had this video 6 months ago. I cleaned out these scuttle drains last October and I found it to be a nightmare. I have the left hand drive version (I live in Holland) and couldn't work out how to get behind the wiper arm mechanism without removing the whole front plastic tray. The rubber funnel thing is a truly horrid design and even on a warm day is not very flexible plastic. Mine also dropped down and I had to remove the wheel arch liner to retrieve it, but then I could not get it back into its hole, so I just left it out. With that flap on the bottom, it's just asking to get blocked again. Silly design. I may just pull out the one behind the wiper mechanism from inside the wheel arch and leave that open too, unless someone can explain what useful purpose they serve.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes getting the rubber funnel back in its hole is a right pain. I warmed it up in boiling water to soften in. I kept repeatedly trying to get it back in place, then got annoyed. Walked away and returned later. Tried again and repeated this about 3-4 times (so about 30 tries). Then walked back, tried again and it popped in place. I can see why most will just remove it!

[@dixonsindorset]

@@GoGreenAutos Well done for persisting and succeeding! I guess when it's a customer's car you have more reason to put everything back properly. I remember cutting and scratching myself a lot on all the sharp metal edges in that area.

[@TheTurlututuchapeaup]

Thanks a lot for this very useful video !

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@David_Parr]

Found the Front Driver carpet was soaked last week , Checked drain holes as described in Matts excellent video and The drain holes are all clear and water runs away ok. So Matt I wonder if the problem is now the windscreen or door seals.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Not sure then. Every Zoe water issue I've seen is from these scuttles being blocked and then the water overflows that metal tray and gets inside the cabin. Have you driven through deep water recently?

[@David_Parr]

@@GoGreenAutos Thanks for the quick reply I aways avoid deep water so i am sure its not that, Just had a better look under the carpet and also found the sponge under carpet is soaked too and the water looks clear when i pressed hard on the sponge so i am thinking its either the door seal or the windscreen .

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@David_Parr You really need a (desiccant) dehumidifier in there too to properly get rid of the water. It would be worth hiring one for a weekend.

[@benwilson2564]

This is fantastically helpful, thank you!

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it was helpful

[@matthewbenson4059]

Hey! Thanks for this vid. I found both footwells wet this morning. Tried the scuttles but they werent too bad. It looks like the rubber seal around the windshield has shrunk and there are gaps on either side in the corners letting water in. Any ideas on how to replace?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Sorry, not done that before. But the windscreen is stuck down on modern cars with a continuous bead of a silicone/sealant type product. So water doesn't generally get in that way, even though many assume its the windscreen that leaks.

[@matthewbenson4059]

@@GoGreenAutos thanks!

[@matthewbenson4059]

Okay so I had to get the windscreen rebonded. Factory fault. The windscreen had been fitted on top of the foam proof underlay that goes under the dash

[@romusmoviesctc9764]

Tks a lot for your WordPress or help me a lot

[@David_Parr]

Update 13th December 2022 : Renault Dealer has stripped out floor footwell interior to get a better look at the door / roof seal that runs along the roof then runs down along each side of the wind screen under a black plastic cover / trim The Door and roof seals cost £400 altogether for both rubber seals for one side. And it looks like the water was getting in there. Matt Have you ever taken off the plastic trim that goes down each side of the windscreen ? Thanks again David

[@GoGreenAutos]

I probably have, but have no clear memory of the Zoe in particular. The trim is no different to any other, they just use push clips.

[@David_Parr]

14th January 2023 Update on my water leak in my Zoe. Found out the water leak was due to a badly fitted windscreen which may have been leaking slightly since it was built back in May 2017. And has got worse over the last 3 months causing the problem. Rebonding the windscreen cost £150.00 But the cost for the investigation and new seals fitted including taking the Dash out has cost £1,000 . At the moment I am in contact with Renault about the cost which I see as a badly fitted windscreen due to poor manufacturing at the factory. Other fault's listed below; Nov 2017 : Traction battery removed sent to France and repaired 6 months after I got the car. May 2018 : Both front side windows were replaced as window glass had dropped inside the door and scratched the window glass. The windscreen is the original and has never been replaced.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Wow, not having a good time with your Zoe. Windscreens and the bonding are put in by robots in the factory, so should be perfect every time.

[@Fragffs]

Anyone trying to fix water in the footwell on the Zoe, unclogging the drainholes alone isn't enough, as stated in this video. You also need to get rid of all the debris behind the wheel liners, else you will have water in the footwell again with heavy rain. On our Zoe there was like a bucket full of debris behind the wheel liners, which caused water to rise through the drainpipes back into the car. On our Zoe it even caused it to rise to a frame-seem which also leaked inside the car. Without all the debris it would have never reached this seem nor the drainpipes. Inside both footwells were completely full and after removing the carpet and cushioning (which were soaked), i noticed even the left "frame bar(for better words)" (next to the center console) was completely full with water. This normally has a rubberseal on top of it but this seal was pushed in and thus the complete frame bar was full of water. So have a water vacuum ready.

[@michaelvickersuk]

If you look very closely at the windscreen there should be three dots at either end of the wiper blades showing their correct positions. It's still well worth taking photos throughout this process, so you can see where everything goes.

[@hughmarcus1]

Don’t those wipers have a service position? Where you can park them up the screen vertically?

[@GoGreenAutos]

From memory, yes.

[@michellemaine2719]

I am having a similar issue with my Citroen C4. I am a bit angry because this seems like a very poor design, and now I am stuck with trying to deal with it. I have never had a car before where this was a problem.

[@michaelvickersuk]

Matt, what's your views on removing the drain plugs permanently? To me it seems their design causes water to pool in these areas, before it over tops the lip on the drain and runs away into the wheel arch. Likewise their design does seems to encourage debris to get stuck, and combined with the standing water, results in the silt blocking the drain. Maybe just having an open hole would help prevent this re-occurring.

[@GoGreenAutos]

On Kangoos, Renault dealers will often just remove the plugs. But on the Zoe, the plugs are routing the water to the sides, so do have a bit of a function.

[@michaelvickersuk]

@@GoGreenAutos Having remove the wheel arch liner today I can now see how the drain plug helps direct water away from the under-bonnet area, so I agree with you Matt it's probably more beneficial keeping this despite its negatives with standing water etc. The flap on the end of the drain plug was hanging on by a thread so I removed it, maybe that's a good compromise to help prevent debris getting stuck in the first place.

[@GoGreenAutos]

@@michaelvickersuk When I did this one, the flap inside the rubber funnel fell out. As you say, its probably better gone.

[@pmcapitao]

Hi, Im getting the same problem with Zoe 50 after big rainy night ended with water inside the car and in drivers place only... can be the same holes and tubes be full of junk and the solution is similar to this video? Thanks in advance

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes it will most likely be. The similar design (i.e. water channels) is on all Renault vehicles

[@MMMM2MMMM2MMMM]

So the right has a rubber funnel. Why did you not leave it out? Does the left has the same funnel un the wheelarch? I would have removed them both. Removing the wheel and inner wheelliner seems to be the easyest way te remove them. Thanks!

[@GoGreenAutos]

I know a Renault dealer that does just remove these rubber funnels if they do this job. But they do have a purpose of course, so if they can be cleaned and put back, all the better.

[@dennisharvey4499]

Do you know if this job is on the routine maintenance when you put the car in for a service?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Absolutely not.

[@dennisharvey4499]

@@GoGreenAutos Thanks for the speedy reply. You are very good at producing this type of video

[@D-J-F]

Thanks

[@GoGreenAutos]

Thank you DJF. So kind.

[@heikkiraisanen8807]

Thanks you! It worked!

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad it helped

[@mariareznicka9346]

Thank you :)

[@GoGreenAutos]

Glad you found the video useful.

[@SomeoneSaidinTheComments]

I have a Dacia Sandeep which has the same leak issue when it rains, since they owned by Renault could this be the same type of fix for the issue?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Highly likely. Most Renaults have over complicated drain channels which block too easily.

[@SomeoneSaidinTheComments]

@@GoGreenAutos thank you so much!!! This explains a lot I’ve been stressing about this for few weeks.

[@strouty]

You can also draw a line on the window where the position of the wiper is. With removable ink of course 😏

[@gaswirt]

Viel Wasser im Nebenschlusslicht. Wie kommt das?

[@rogerhudson2814]

Finish off with a liberal squirt of WD40, Might even think of Waxoyl (spray can version)?

[@David_Parr]

Update 4th February 2023 Looks like my letter to the CEO of Renault UK has got someone's attention. ( This customer has now written to the managing director of Renault UK and so i have now taken over this case ) Renault have just paid £250 by bank transfer towards the cost as a good will gesture. Plus the dealer I purchased the car from who has been excellent and has never been at fault is not being forced to contribute to the cost by Renault.

[@michaelkent6121]

Clios have always had this problem, can’t believe Renault hasn’t improved the design by now.

[@keithgeorge7338]

Looks a really bad design. Are all cars like this? Is this a problem in the MG ZS EV?

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes all cars have drain holes of some sort. The MG ZS EV has not been out long enough yet to experience this as it will take a few years for the debris to rot and fill the drain channels. I've not looked at the MG design yet.

[@bertibear1300]

I had this unbeknown , thought it was just condensation on the matts.Then it got much worse. Then I realised it was maybe the winscreen , car 4 yrs old .It was leaking a bit. But it was really a lot from the source as described. It’s a very bad fault.

[@GoGreenAutos]

Yes, many make the mistake thinking the windscreen is leaking. It almost never is.

[@bertibear1300]

I fixed that and paid 200 quid but still leaked , so then re sealed windscreen,still leaking.No more renaults for me.

[@CeriizeRouze31]

hello I 'm pretty sure that the team what designed the rain water evacution devices in Renault are paid by the competitors !! without that how to explain that for more that 20 years all the renault cars have the same problems. that ever the model is .

[@GoGreenAutos]

You might find this interesting too kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2rNo4yLfr2Cp9Usi=vHyUa3RmZ_7EGxVw

[@kamyku89]

How many km you drove with this mood rubbish ?

[@ledsalesoz]

That's a terrible design, it should have been obvious that those funnels would clog up, especially with the flap on the end. If this happens on our Zoe, those funnels are coming out permanently.

[@MyfirstEV23]

Renault are shitty cars, poor design that affects all Renaults,had a clio,was same problem. Electrical fault is another name for Renault. Had several model all the same shit.