My 2006 Ka appears to have a wet (not flooded - just very damp) carpet / undercarpet in the driver's footwell. Is there a standard check for this before I go about drying it out please. The biggest problem this is causing (apart from inevitable rot) is heavy condensation inside the car after a cold night. Thanks.

Update - removed scuttle panel and mucked out. Lifted the carpet and inserted hair dryer through VIN cover in carpet and removed gearstick gaiter - lifted carpet up - got rid of a lot of the dampness and no smell of rot so probably not been there long. I used to own loads of Rover P6s years ago and they all leaked due to being rot boxes - lift the carpet in one of those and there was always that rotten carpet smell...

Still keen for any suggestions though please as I don't want this to get worse thanks.

Proper Pumas used to get a wet footwell from a blocked aircon drain I believe, so it might be similar on a Ka

https://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?p=376429&hilit=wet+footwell#p376429

12 hours ago, Paulkp said:

Proper Pumas used to get a wet footwell from a blocked aircon drain I believe, so it might be similar on a Ka

https://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?p=376429&hilit=wet+footwell#p376429

Yes, I've seen that mentioned on the Ka also. There's actually masses on this topic on various sites, with causes including leaking rear light clusters, door seals, blocked underbonnet drains, condensation on the large amount of painted interior surfaces in cold weather, and the possibility of entry from a rust hole. We parted with our 2005 Ka as it was becoming very rusty, particularly around the filler flap area, which is notorious, but also the sills.

I wonder - are heater matrix leaks common on Mk1 Kas? I removed the undercarpet insulation and it looks as though the leak is coming from the top left of the drivers footwell. My coolant level does go down from the max to the line below it over time and I noticed some time ago that coolant smell in the car some time ago but it isn't constant. The leak isn't constant also as today the area under the carpet is dry. Any thoughts welcome please.

I've just seen that Focus thread on a coolant smell - is there a common cause of coolant leaks on a Ka Duratec? I've already replaced a leaky temp. sensor thermostat housing O ring.

On a 2006 Ka I'd recommend using Radweld in the coolant.

4 minutes ago, unofix said:

On a 2006 Ka I'd recommend using Radweld in the coolant.

Good suggestion. I just looked up Radweld and it seems to be a good product so I'll give it a try thanks.