check sunroof drain to be clogged first,second area around cabin air filter, water has funny way of traveling once it gets into funky interior areas and ducting,
Water Intrusion w/ Defrost ON?
I have a 2005 B5.5 Passat Wagon, and twice this week had a significant amount of water intrusion (1/2" puddle) on the passenger side foot well after a heavy rain storm. The water appears to be coming from the right hand side of the dash as there was a thin trickle of water coming out from just below the glove box.
The odd thing however is that this only occurs if I have been running the windshield defrost setting prior to parking the car. I know this because after hitting upon this conclusion I put the car's climate control system on foot vent mode w/ re-circulation on and left the car in the pouring rain today while at work and there was no water intrusion despite the rain being more than heavy enough to cause a leak if there was one.
I initially thought the pollen filter housing may be the issue after a search of the forums, however, I have replaced that seal and it did not fix the problem before the second occurrence.
Any ideas would be extremely helpful and I'll report back with any findings. Thanks!
The odd thing however is that this only occurs if I have been running the windshield defrost setting prior to parking the car. I know this because after hitting upon this conclusion I put the car's climate control system on foot vent mode w/ re-circulation on and left the car in the pouring rain today while at work and there was no water intrusion despite the rain being more than heavy enough to cause a leak if there was one.
I initially thought the pollen filter housing may be the issue after a search of the forums, however, I have replaced that seal and it did not fix the problem before the second occurrence.
Any ideas would be extremely helpful and I'll report back with any findings. Thanks!
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Okay, I'll check those tonight. I suppose it's possible that a leak from the sunroof could travel down the right side A-pillar and get behind the dash. Is that the common route of sunroof leaks?
Yup. The sunroof has drains at all four corners.
there are as stated, four drain points one in each corner of the sunroof, they are attached to hoses, the front two go down through the pillars and drain out a little rubber "bonnet" between the two door hinges, back two two somewhere around the rear wheel fender wells, you have to be careful if you blow air down thru them as any clogs will blow the hose off, I have a piece of 1/8" diameter nylon hose (semi rigid) which I snake down thru then with a little air pull back out as I go, I will try and remember, somebody told me about pouring something,not drain cleaner! but it dissolved the mold, ( paint and rubber safe)because that is what is probably in there, will post later if I rememberOkay, I'll check those tonight. I suppose it's possible that a leak from the sunroof could travel down the right side A-pillar and get behind the dash. Is that the common route of sunroof leaks?
Thanks, I double checked my work on the pollen seal and I'm now pretty sure it's the sunroof. we have a major rain storm coming in tonight so I'm going to cover the sun roof with plastic for now and try to fix the drains when the weather improves. Thanks for the help!there are as stated, four drain points one in each corner of the sunroof, they are attached to hoses, the front two go down through the pillars and drain out a little rubber "bonnet" between the two door hinges, back two two somewhere around the rear wheel fender wells, you have to be careful if you blow air down thru them as any clogs will blow the hose off, I have a piece of 1/8" diameter nylon hose (semi rigid) which I snake down thru then with a little air pull back out as I go, I will try and remember, somebody told me about pouring something,not drain cleaner! but it dissolved the mold, ( paint and rubber safe)because that is what is probably in there, will post later if I remember
Can I just open the sunroof to access the drain holes? I'll check my trusty service manual as well to see how to get to them.
That's a start, but the hoses are long and fragile - proceed carefully! No compressed air, no harsh chemicals. Mine have never clogged, but I hear of people carefully working a brake cable core through them.Can I just open the sunroof to access the drain holes? I'll check my trusty service manual as well to see how to get to them.
Oh, and check the ends that come out in your door jams. Someone probably took care of it already, but dealers were instructed to cut off the "slit" nipple, leaving a round opening. If they're still there, squeezing your car's nipples may yield a rush of fluid...
The defrost uses the a/c, which causes condensation on the evaporator. This drains through the firewall at the center console next to the glove box. You should check that the drain is clear as it may be draining into the car instead.
Have same but a 2003. Had the roof drainage problem occur but on driver's side and into that foot well .... corroded all the soldered connections in a control module under that carpet. Had take driver's door column apart (caution air bag) to clean and reconnect vinyl drainage tubing to its upper and lower slip-on fittings. No damage to CM itself - just had to re-solder its wire connections. Understand there's also a CM under the right side carpet so good to catch this problem before CM problems arise.
So brief update. I've fixed the water intrusion by clearing the drain tubes and cutting the drain nipples in the door jams. So far we've had a few major rain storms and no more water intrusion.Have same but a 2003. Had the roof drainage problem occur but on driver's side and into that foot well .... corroded all the soldered connections in a control module under that carpet. Had take driver's door column apart (caution air bag) to clean and reconnect vinyl drainage tubing to its upper and lower slip-on fittings. No damage to CM itself - just had to re-solder its wire connections. Understand there's also a CM under the right side carpet so good to catch this problem before CM problems arise.
Re: northcountyguy1's comment, I've been having some weird electrical problems the past few weeks which I thought were unrelated to my water problem but perhaps are not related... So far my rear hatch release on the driver's side door, my passenger side electric door lock, and my key fobs have all stopped working. Is it possible these are the result of a wet or corroded control module?
Thanks for the advice scotts13, I followed your instructions and got the problem solved!!!That's a start, but the hoses are long and fragile - proceed carefully! No compressed air, no harsh chemicals. Mine have never clogged, but I hear of people carefully working a brake cable core through them.
Oh, and check the ends that come out in your door jams. Someone probably took care of it already, but dealers were instructed to cut off the "slit" nipple, leaving a round opening. If they're still there, squeezing your car's nipples may yield a rush of fluid...
greathouse202: Very likely !! I had several electrical malfunctions due to the corroded wires under the carpet at the CM .... my cruise control, directionals, etc. ..... very weird. All went away after I re-soldered wires.
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