Mini F56 - water ingress in the vehicle interior

With the above-mentioned vehicle type, water may collect in the driver or front passenger footwell. If the above-mentioned defect is detected and water ingress from the outside via body parts can be ruled out, special attention should be paid to the condensation drain below the air-conditioning unit. 

Deformation of the rubber seal means that condensation can no longer drain off properly. The water collects and is not drained off as intended, but enters the vehicle interior as a result of the deformed seal. The interior carpet absorbs the water, which can lead to unpleasant odours and, under certain circumstances, mould growth. 

The side panelling (Fig. 1) in the footwell must be removed to carry out the necessary checks. In order to do this, the fastening screw has to be undone and the panelling removed from the brackets. The carpet can be pressed down slightly on the side underneath the air-conditioning unit in order to check it. The rubber seal of the water drain must fit all the way round the air-conditioning unit (Fig. 2) and have no kinks in it.  

An endoscope is recommended for easier inspection. In the event of a fault, traces of water are usually visible on the side of the drain, indicating that the seal does not fit properly.

One test option is to set the air-conditioning system at maximum cooling capacity. In warm ambient temperatures, this causes condensation. In the event of a fault, this condensation would then run visibly past the seal and into the vehicle interior. If kinks or traces of water are visible, the condensation drain must be replaced. If mould is visible on the interior carpet, this should also be replaced. 

This fault profile may also occur in other vehicle models with comparable equipment variants.