Hi all,

I have an interesting little problem with my 1999 Octy TDI SLX.

Then the other day I picked up my dad to take him out for a drive and he said there was a large patch of water in my rear passenger footwell??

We pulled up the mat (which was drenched) and I used a towel to soak up the standing water but we cant see where the water was coming in. the roof lining was dry the A pillars were dry... even when you open the doors and look at the sills it all looks dry?

After feeling around the carpets the drivers side is completely bone dry in the front and back... BUT... the passengers side seems to be damp in the front and Soaking in the back.

I thought maybe something was leaking through the bulkhead but the water doesnt seem to leaking that high up... it's just on the flat part of the footwell.

One of my mates mentioned an Air con pipe was the cause of a similar problem on his Passat. Does anyone agree with that or has anyone got any other ideas?

Cheers All!!!

This sounds like a classic case of water coming in through the grommet near to the pollen filter under the scuttle pannel on the passenger side of the side. When viewed from the front of the car, the grommet is just to the right of the filter. I have some pictures, but I can't remember the URL off the top of my head (server does not allow directory browsing anymore :-( )

The shape of the floorpan allows the water to drain towards the rear of the car, plus the sound deadening material is twice at thick at the front.

Has the car had any aftermarket ICE equipment fitted or radar/laser detectors which need additional cables run into the car?

While your under the scuttle pannel, checkec there is a clear flow down down behind the wheel arches too (remove a couple of the torx screws holding the rear of the wheel arch liner in place and check for several inches of compost.....)

That's some excellent advice... Many thanks for your help.

I will have a look to see if I can get some sealant around that gromet. I think I know the one you mean I've also seen some piccy's on here somewhere.

I shall let you know how it goes. I guess it's not too difficult to get to?? Would it involve me taking the wipers off.

I dont think it's had any aftemarket ICE... I've only had i a two weeks and it all seems pretty bog standard. But the garage I got it from have neglected to mention a few things so I wouldn't put it past them to forget to mention something like damp coming through.

Thanks MBAMES that was really helpful... Top Man!!

The scuttle pannel can be a PITA to get off if you have not done it before. Have a search on here. It is possible to take off just the right hand side (passenger) with with a bit of careful wiggling about, and thus leave the wipers on (but in the up position). Some people suggest warming the pannel first with a hair drier to make it a bit more flexiable to prevent breaking it. if you are removing the wipers then you might need a puller to get them off as they do seem to corrode a bit. Also remember to mark the windscreen with a bit of insulation tape, so you know where to re-align them to.

They key tip is to remember that it pulls off at approx 90 to the angle of the screen at the bottom. Once it is off it all becomes obvious.... Can it be a bit difficult wiggling it around the bonnet hinges too.

I fitted a laser/rader detector in mine... here are the pictures:

Bung:

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20070112_scuttle_bung/PICT2756.JPG

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20070112_scuttle_bung/PICT2757.JPG

Scuttle pannel off (note just the passenger side):

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20070112_scuttle_bung/PICT2758.JPG

Silicon sealed:

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20070112_scuttle_bung/PICT2760.JPG

Job done:

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20070112_scuttle_bung/PICT2761.JPG

mbames ... Thats fantastic. The pictures were really helpful!!

I shall give that a go and see if I can get rid of this swimming pool in my car

Cheers

Muppo2000:thumbup::thumbup:

Good luck :-) All I can say it take your time in the scuttle, and it will come off, oh and watch out for the washer jet hoses which are behind, there is a junction in the pipe somewhere I think....

Cheers,

Matt

Might be worth removing the internal wheel arch liners to see if it's packed with crud blocking the drain holes.

Failing the above, have either of the door cards been removed on that side of the car? My local dealer fixed my central locking problem, but left the moisture membrane in shreds. This lead to moisture getting inside the door seal and onto the carpet.

Thanks Guys, you've been really helpful.

The next time we get a day when it's not chucking it down with rain :orb_cold: I shall have to have a crack at doing all those things.

Much appreciated all!!

Happy motoring:thumbup:

In the mean time you might find that if you can park your car pointing down hill then that might help reduce the flow of water into the car.

If aftermarket speakers have been fitted then sometimes the door membrane has been cut which can induces leaks too.