I noticed a week or so ago there was a small amount of water at the bottom of the wheel arch cavity where the CD changer sits in my octavia (2003 vrs estate), I hoped it may have gotten in from my clothing or similar as it was wet on the day. I've just looked again and there seems to be more in there and after having a quick look around it looks like it's dripping in from above just behind the boot light trim plate. 

 

Before I or anyone else has to start tearing the boot down, has anyone experienced this and what was the reason/ fix please? 

 

As a side note, I noticed while I was in there that either the factory or a previous owner had taped up a connection, but left the unused blue cable cut off (although it doesn't seem to be connected to anything) any thoughts? 

 

 

The rear wash pipe runs instde the loom there and has a habit of seperating at the join there in colder weather. worth a check first before getting stuck into body leaks that may not exist.

Edited 20 February, 20206 yr by kentphil1

Thanks, I did some reading around before this post and that did come up, is there a joint in the hose between the nozzle itself and the reservoir, especially in the rear pillar that goes up from the rear lights? I can see the water drip down from up there but I can't see the source from inside the CD changer hatch. Also, the water doesn't smell or feel like screen wash so might be something more serious?

The washer pipe has a joint connector in the loom roughly where your photo shows the loom. The clever people at VAG put the pipe in the centre of the loom and then taped it up to hide it.

 

The pipe follows the loom up to the hinge bellows at the tailgate where it separates to go to the washer jet depending on whether the car is a hatch or estate. You can test the theory of it being the washer pipe by getting someone to use the rear washer while you watch the loom for fresh water being ejected.

 

From what you are describing it does not sound like it may be that. If it was my car, I would get some bright colour food colouring, pour it into a watering can and pour it over the rear of the car, after I had ruled out the washer pipe.

 

The colouring will highlight  where the water is entering and aid you to formulate a plan to cure it. The beauty of using food colouring is it is water soluable, so it will wash off afterwards.

 

Hope it helps.