Water ingress Skoda Superb Estate Black Edition 5 days old

[USSEnterprise]

Hi all,

 

Like the title says, last Sunday I took delivery of my new car, Skoda Superb, from Vindis Skoda Cambridge. Yesterday morning I've noticed water drops coming from underneath the glove compartment and checked the carpets and turned out to be completely soaked. So I immediately went to my local dealer in Southampton (Sparshattsgroup Botley) to book it for diagnosis. 

 

I've asked them if this is a common problem with Superb or is just my luck and I've been told that this is just my LUCK. I also asked if it's OK to drive as there seems to be water near electrical wiring and I've been told that there are no risks.

I booked in for Monday morning came home and I did a bit of research on Briskoda about this issue. As you can imagine it turned out that this quite a common issue with the Superb II as well as with the previous model. Also mailed Vindis Skoda about this and they sent me the following email:

 

"Good afternoon ********,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

I have checked with our workshop to ascertain if we have had any similar concerns from any of our customers and we have had no cars in that require this investigation.  I have checked with Skoda for any bulletins or TPI (technical product information) on the Superb and there is also nothing relating to water ingress so I don’t have an ‘easy fix’ for you. It will need further investigation to confirm where the water is getting in.

 

Please keep me in the loop with the conclusion from Mondays investigation and I endeavor to do what I can from my end.

 

Kind regards

 

****** "

 

So, do they lie about this or is just not big issue and is easy to fix? From what I've read about it sometimes is just a pain to discover from where the water comes in. 

 

I'm kind of stressed as earlier this year I had to reject another brand new car (Citroen DS5) for something a bit more serious, like bad paint-job on the front bumper, steering and suspension issues as well. I just don't want to get through this a second time in one year....is just completely unpleasant, stressful, time consuming etc.

 

Having previous experienced unpleasant relationships  with car dealers I know that I have to document and record everything, from phone call conversations, emails to pictures and video footage in case if things go really bad.  So here are some pics and video to show the extent of the problem. 

 

 

 

 

 

I also decided to limit any possible damage:

 

 

 

 

 

Here is short video clip on YouTube that better shows the scale of the problem:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf_1iO-qNK8&feature=youtu.be

 

Is there anything I can do to take the water out, apart from striping down the carpets?? 

 

Thanks guys

[SJFISHER67]

Do you have access to a dehumidifier? If so, whack that in there and leave it on for a few hours (if you can safely of course).

 

As for your water ingress issue, I had the same water leak area on a 2009 Superb, took it to my local garage who 'have never had that before sir and cannot seem to replicate it with testing'  There is a problem with some cars, not all, just the luck of the draw. But I feel your pain and would be well and truly annoyed.

 

My theory as to how the water gets into the car is through the air intake for the heater, this is higher than the scuttle plate and if water sits or the car is parked on certain angles it will run into the car.

[StuartTunstall]

Am I correct in saying that the fuse/relay box is that side of the car? can't remember... If so.. 

 

I had a similar issue with my last Seat Exeo when we had heavy rain, after checking water was getting under the lid of the fuse box and running down into the car.. The chap put some sealing cord which was very sticky beading in the groove for the lid to sit on, cured my leak.. 

[Raptor]

I had the dreaded water Ingress with my mark1. Took out the electrics and I had to take it to a Skoda dealer for appropriate repairs. Further invstrigation revealed a notice had been distributed to dealers advising how to deal with the problem. This proved to be very useful when discussing withe Skoda UK as to why a recall had not been issued. They eventually gave me a contribution to the repairs costs. I feel you must log this with Skoda UK and write to them with any evidence you have of other owners having the same problem.

If you not get a satisfactory resolution keep on pestering Skoda UK.

Gutted for you as it takes the edge off enjoying what is very good car.

[USSEnterprise]

Do you have access to a dehumidifier? If so, whack that in there and leave it on for a few hours (if you can safely of course).

As for your water ingress issue, I had the same water leak area on a 2009 Superb, took it to my local garage who 'have never had that before sir and cannot seem to replicate it with testing' There is a problem with some cars, not all, just the luck of the draw. But I feel your pain and would be well and truly annoyed.

My theory as to how the water gets into the car is through the air intake for the heater, this is higher than the scuttle plate and if water sits or the car is parked on certain angles it will run into the car.

I don't have access to a dehumidifier, that's why I bought a moisture trap. I just hope there won't be any funny smells because of soaked carpets.

[100andthirty]

Whilst it's inconvenient, if you clear up too much they might struggle to identify and then fix. Advise Vindis of any particular features of how you use the car (eg park overnight uphill (or downhill)). It is a big job to clear up after the leak and you should insist on it being fully dried out. This involves major dismantling of the interior!

 

My inundation was caused by a defective windscreen seal. The whole windscreen - heated - was replaced. The control module for the heated front seats was also affected and replaced. It took three weeks to diagnose and fix my car, but I had a replacement (Octavia) throughout.

 

I have been following this site since 2011 - at least a year before I purchased mine - and there have been posts about leaks into the cabin, but they have been few and far between, so I suspect your communications from the dealers are accurate.

 

Good luck

[USSEnterprise]

Am I correct in saying that the fuse/relay box is that side of the car? can't remember... If so.. 

 

I had a similar issue with my last Seat Exeo when we had heavy rain, after checking water was getting under the lid of the fuse box and running down into the car.. The chap put some sealing cord which was very sticky beading in the groove for the lid to sit on, cured my leak.. 

I have no idea is behind the glove-box. I'll check tomorrow what exactly is there, I suspect there is the fan blower or something like air conditioning unit.

[StuartTunstall]

I have no idea is behind the glove-box. I'll check tomorrow what exactly is there, I suspect there is the fan blower or something like air conditioning unit.

 

I meant't under the bonnet  

 

Water was getting into the fuse box and running down inside via the cables.. 

[USSEnterprise]

OK..now I finally get it:)

[USSEnterprise]

Update:

 

Just left my car with my local Skoda dealer, Skoda Botley. So far so good, they told me that they need to keep the car for a couple of days to make sure the carpets are dry and to have time to rectify the problem. Also left them this :
 

 

 

 

- to help them find the source of water ingress faster.

 

I also video recorded everything (undercover) in case that they lose their professionalism and desire to fix the problem along the way . Let's hope they won't.

 

One interesting thing is the Service Manager almost acknowledged that some Superb have a water ingress issue.

 

Cheers guys

[USSEnterprise]

Yet another update:

 

Just been called back by one of the technicians and asked if I had been caring out any sorts works to fix this problem, as he noticed that there is a piece of 15 cm of windshield sealing hanging. I've asked him to take some pictures and he has agreed. Once I have those pics I will post them here, most likely tomorrow.

 

He also told me that there doesn't seem to be any other sources for the water ingress so far...however he will keep looking.

 

Cheers

[numskull]

Just been called back by one of the technicians and asked if I had been caring out any sorts works to fix this problem, as he noticed that there is a piece of 15 cm of windshield sealing hanging.....

 

Yeah, that's right, I do that sort of thing to try and fix a windscreen leak in a brand-new car....

[USSEnterprise]

UPDATE:

 

I got e-mail:

"Good afternoon Mr ****.

 

As promised here is an update on the progress of your vehicle.

 

We have identified the water ingress as coming in through windscreen seal on the passenger side at the bottom of the screen.

It would appear that the screen has not been sealed correctly when the vehicle was in build.

 

We have arranged for a windscreen specialist to come out to us tomorrow to remove the windscreen and reseal it correctly. They are likely to be with us either late morning or early afternoon so hopefully we will be able to get your vehicle ready for collection late tomorrow afternoon.

 

We plan to wet vac the vehicle out this afternoon and will obviously keep the vehicle under cover overnight. I am sure you will understand that I cannot guarantee that the carpet will be 100% dry when you collect the vehicle, but we will do our upmost.

 

Regards

 

****"

 

It seems this guys move fast. So far I'm impressed.

 

Does my windscreen should be replaced altogether or just resealed???

 

Cheers

[numskull]

Does my windscreen should be replaced altogether or just resealed???

 

 

Removal and resealing is perfectly normal and acceptable; fingers crossed they dont crack it when its being removed! Also, ensure they have not used an access amount of the adhesive, which then results on it visibly seeping onto the inside of the car, around the trim and at the top and base of the screen. Check this from both the inside directly and looking at the inside through the glass on the outside.

[USSEnterprise]

Removal and resealing is perfectly normal and acceptable; fingers crossed they dont crack it when its being removed! Also, ensure they have not used an access amount of the adhesive, which then results on it visibly seeping onto the inside of the car, around the trim and at the top and base of the screen. Check this from both the inside directly and looking at the inside through the glass on the outside.

 

Cheers for heads up, I was thinking at the issue as well.

 

Cheers 

[100andthirty]

What is really important is that the car is bone dry inside; not just the top of the carpet, but also the underlay and the floor. It might be that the water quantity was insufficient to soak in. However I would request a letter saying what has been done and get an undertaking to resolve any mould growth.

[JakeBlade]

You'll have a fair amount of misting on the inside of the car until it really is dry. Consider getting some silica salts to leave in the car whilst it's drying out.

[USSEnterprise]

Already bought a moisture trap.

[numskull]

What is really important is that the car is bone dry inside; not just the top of the carpet, but also the underlay and the floor. It might be that the water quantity was insufficient to soak in. However I would request a letter saying what has been done and get an undertaking to resolve any mould growth.

+1

[USSEnterprise]

Update:

Just got the car back. The windscreen has been resealed, carpets fully dried.

I attach a picture if the hanging sealant. The garage didn't wanted to give it to me as he has to send it back to Skoda.

[100andthirty]

Glad you have got it back and hope it gives you many thousands of miles of happy motoring