Ok,

It rained a lot on Saturday and now my car stinks! I never had water problems before but the sunroof drains appear clear and the carpets seem to be more wet the nearer to seats you get (and along the rocker panel).

What could be causing this? I have not gone through ANY puddles.

Thanks,

Ruben

91 244 84000 miles
Miami

Just had my windshield replaed for this, like 15 minutes ago the glass guy left. While looking at the bare opening it's obvious where the water comes and that spot was gross on my car, all green and slimy. You also NEED to get the carpets out and get 'em drying NOW. The longer you wait the hard it will be to get that smell out. You have my sympathy as I am just finishing up this very project which include fiberglassing a patch into my floorboards behind the drivers seat. Tomorrow the carpets go back in. There are other causes of water in your cabin as others have mentioned but they're all easier to diagnose with the carpet somewhere else. Once the carpet is out you can remove the plastic plugs on the panel below the doors (rocker panel) and inspect that for water and rust. You'll be able to see the track that some wiring takes which is where the water flows and follow the puddle if it stops at the rocker panel, that may be your culprit, if it goes tot he firewall, probably the glass. The hose test is the best. With my car it was obvious it was the windshield, crack that went below the seal. Water was also visible inside when looking through the windshield. Look very closely all over and you shold be able to find it.

Good Luck
--
Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon 'rustbucket'

Rubenoid,
Get it fixed now or pay the price later with rusted floorboards. These 240's are great cars but prone to leaks, and if left too long will cause major damage. Mine and about four other wagons that I have seen have windshield leaks directly over the fuse box. After the next big rain, check your fuses and see if they are wet. If they are wet, then you may have to have the windshield taken out and resealed, I broke my windshield trying to fix the leak, and have since had it replaced and with it the leak has dissapeared.But you may have to pull the front seats and pull the carpets back, have somebody hose it down while you watch from the inside for where the water is coming from.Also, I have heard that the rear side window gaskets can shrink and leak on the wagons. I have spent many a day riveting in new sheet metal, to repair my rusted floorboards. I hope that you have caught it in time so there is no structural damage from rust.

Same subject..."if you look along the undersides of both drivers side and passenger side on your vehicle below the doors and what is called the sill, you'll see little holes down there that let the water drain from your cowl vent. I think that there are about 4 0r 5 along the length of the bottom of the sills on both sides ,shove wire or a coat hanger in all holes and see if leaves or other gunk has accumalated in there over the years, highly likely and it was a poor design by volvo I might add not to put a fine mesh screen along that cowl vent so crap couldnt get in there. Look throughly ,youll find them."

Jay
84 245 GLTi 219k

From a post earlier this week, same subject. "if you look up near firewall there is about a one inch hole that actually leads to area where water drains into cowl vent in front of windshield , if your drains are plugged anywhere the water could overflow and easily get in car. plug hole or holes elsewhere and make sure drains are clear"

Jay
94 245 GLTi 219k