Hi guys, I've noticed wetness under the carpet of the drivers footwell, not sure if it's water or antifreeze. 

All other areas of carpet are dry and boot is aswell

2012 model

Put some kitchen paper on it and see if it's pink...if so, coolant.

If it's directly under the clutch pedal it could also be clutch fluid.  That feels quite thick and oily.

22 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Put some kitchen paper on it and see if it's pink...if so, coolant.

If it's directly under the clutch pedal it could also be clutch fluid.  That feels quite thick and oily.

I've managed to squeeze some of the liquid into a bottle from the white foam padding

Looks like coolant, does it smell sweet?

I know it's probably poisonous, but I've always tested antifreeze by putting some on my finger and then touching my tongue, I then spit it out straight away and rinse my mouth with water, it tastes really sweet. 

Health and safety warning.

Please don't try this at home.

if it was coolant then surely the radiator would need topping up, it could be a leaking windscreen seal, has it ever had a new windscreen fitted.There's no water that colour so its probably rusty

 

12 hours ago, Geforcepw said:

I've managed to squeeze some of the liquid into a bottle from the white foam padding

That's an odd colour but I do think it's a weak coolant mix.  Probably the heater pipes leaking.  With that amount, you should be able to see them dripping once they're pressurised with the engine running.  They're just to the left of the clutch pedal.

 

7 hours ago, wilto said:

I know it's probably poisonous, but I've always tested antifreeze by putting some on my finger and then touching my tongue, I then spit it out straight away and rinse my mouth with water, it tastes really sweet. 

Health and safety warning.

Please don't try this at home.

Bearing in mind it's in the footwell, I'd be more worried by the dog crap that's probably been tread in there before!!   Does it work with anything else?  Label worn off of cleaning fluids?...just taste them to find out which is which...  

But seriously, yeah it is poisonous if you drink it, Wiki has a whole page on ethylene glycol poisoning.  You should be alright just tasting a drop though.

6 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

 

That's an odd colour but I do think it's a weak coolant mix.  Probably the heater pipes leaking.  With that amount, you should be able to see them dripping once they're pressurised with the engine running.  They're just to the left of the clutch pedal.

 

Bearing in mind it's in the footwell, I'd be more worried by the dog crap that's probably been tread in there before!!   Does it work with anything else?  Label worn off of cleaning fluids?...just taste them to find out which is which...  

But seriously, yeah it is poisonous if you drink it, Wiki has a whole page on ethylene glycol poisoning.  You should be alright just tasting a drop though.

If it is the heater matrix pipes leaking. How quickly would I have to get it fixed because I'm not sure when I can get it to the garage

1 hour ago, Geforcepw said:

If it is the heater matrix pipes leaking. How quickly would I have to get it fixed because I'm not sure when I can get it to the garage

It really depends on the speed of the leak.  Any coolant leaking in there is coolant taken away from the engine and obviously any leak can suddenly get worse.  I know that's a bit vague and not really what you want to hear.

I had same problem recently and was originally told of heater matrix leak, coolant, and clutch pedal. Well my coolant was pinkish red, but the leak was not that colour, so not coolant. And yes the mechanic tasted it? Turns out he touched his touch with clutch fluid. (Eek!) The block behind the clutch was leaking a greenish fluid from where the clutch pedal hinges right up where you can only just about see. £75 supply and fit. Not bad price I think. 

Totally different model of car (2005) but I had been experiencing a coolant loss for many months, could never find cause. However, it came to a head (so to speak) when my engine overheated, the full steam thing under bonnet, and 2 litres of water to get me the 2 miles back home. Turned out to be the heater matrix pipe under the dash just above the clutch pedal.  Despite the errant genuine Ford gasket costing £3, it took 4 hours labour to get at the darn thing! Good luck...

Another potential issue, although unlikely in this case, is condensation. I've seen wet carpeting when you have a hot patch directly underneath the floor (particularly some early Mazda's who had their exhaust/cat under the passenger or driver areas) requiring additional thermal shielding over the exhaust or under the carpeting to try to mitigate/stop the damp. The added bonus it also helps cut down road rumble!