Right everyone, might need some help identifying where a leak has come from.

Do you think the first pic is from

a. Sunroof (if so how do I sort this)

b. The picture below that as this strip is coming away (how do I fix this or where can I get a new one from?)

OR

c. Both

90% chance it is the sunroof. Most likely the drain tubes are loose (they shrink in length over time, and have to be replaced).
It is a well know VAG problem.

Best case scenario - blocked or loose drain.

Worst case scenario - new cassette.

How do I clean or check this. I ain't paying for a new cassette. Can I remove the cassette and fix this or clean the drain tubes etc.

Open the sun roof and check for the drain holes. There are 4. 2 at the front and 2 at the back. You can run clean water down the side that is not leaking and you will see it run out just behind the front wheel well.

On the leaking side take the A-pillar trim off - it just pulls off - and have a look for the pipe running down there. Also the drain pipes shrink over time and yours might have slipped out because of this.

You can the cassette out. This is a big job. One person - cannot remember where I saw this - used boot sealant to fix it. The cassette leak is between the plastic and metal joint.

Thanks mate.

That's great. I'll take a look this weekend. Will pick up a drainage brush. Do you know where I could get a drain pipe from?

Top man!

Edited 4 March, 20251 yr by KirkJames

Try, really carefully, threading a long bit of straightened, stiff wire down each of the drain holes. That will show you if they've come off, if they're blocked, and where they appear under the car.

Personal opinion, this is worth doing once a year on any car with a sunroof to clear blocks before they appear.

1 hour ago, StevesTruck said:

Try, really carefully, threading a long bit of straightened, stiff wire down each of the drain holes. That will show you if they've come off, if they're blocked, and where they appear under the car.

Personal opinion, this is worth doing once a year on any car with a sunroof to clear blocks before they appear.

Yeah I'll take a look. This weekend. I'm guessing that if the sunroof stays shut (until I fix the issue) then providing it isn't the seal around the edge of the sunroof I should avoid any further damage.

Opening the sunroof does not cause any more damage. You have to open it to check the drains. Water runs in around the edges.

6 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

Opening the sunroof does not cause any more damage. You have to open it to check the drains. Water runs in around the edges.

No I meant that if it's open and water/rainwater/condensation runs into the well at the front, it won't be able to drain and will then make the situation worse surely. If I keep it shut I'm guessing that eliminates the water getting to the well/ crap drain hole at all??

When it rains the water gets into the channels around sunroof and it leaks. You want to find the spot before the next rain. To check if your channels are still draining you need to use some water.

On 04/03/2025 at 19:43, KirkJames said:

Yeah I'll take a look. This weekend. I'm guessing that if the sunroof stays shut (until I fix the issue) then providing it isn't the seal around the edge of the sunroof I should avoid any further damage.

Sadly not, the outer seal isn't a perfect one, so there will still be a bit of water coming in if it rains. Can't see it really being an issue unless it really buckets down though.

Right, not happy at all!!

Managed with a lot of patience to clean down inside the drain tubes only to find now when I pour water through the RHS water is now leaking into the footwell (see video). It is also coming out of the drain hole

This is fast turning into a love/hate relationship and I'm already considering selling.

Edited 9 March, 20251 yr by KirkJames
Error

Did you take the trim of the A-pillar off?

The drain pipe that runs behind there is the one that shrinks and has probably come off the connection.

1 hour ago, 26DIPP said:

Did you take the trim of the A-pillar off?

The drain pipe that runs behind there is the one that shrinks and has probably come off the connection.

I couldn't quite get it off. To be honest I was afraid it was going to break.

I'll give it a shot tomorrow mate cheers.

14 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

Did you take the trim of the A-pillar off?

The drain pipe that runs behind there is the one that shrinks and has probably come off the connection.

A quick update. I will either need to be a magician or a borrower! The connection point is behind the dash. WTF! I have been to the garage and they have told me 3-4 hours for them at least to remove dash, fix the issue and replace dash. Or would I/they be able to get to this by taking the wing off?

I have to say, what a terribly designed system.

Not sure why my pictures seem to be uploading upside down.

Edited 10 March, 20251 yr by KirkJames
error

Peel the carpet back under the dash and you should see the other end. Try to push it up. Or it might have slipped into the bodywork. Then you have to feed a new one down.

What garage did you go to?

Edited 10 March, 20251 yr by 26DIPP

17 hours ago, 26DIPP said:

Peel the carpet back under the dash and you should see the other end. Try to push it up. Or it might have slipped into the bodywork. Then you have to feed a new one down.

What garage did you go to?

I went to a local one I have used many times before but I also went to a Skoda Specialist and showed him the video. He said as it was still coming out of the drain hole as well it looked more like the issue was from the top.

So I pulled the roof lining away after taking off the visor and grab handle (which by the way I now need new clips for as I don't think these had ever been taken off and were really stuck and very brittle.) I do suggest using a tool similar to that of an air vent removal tool to get these off.

When I looked at the drain plug it wasn't even connected to the tube....... at all!!!! I did take a pic but it didn't come out well.

Reconnected the tube to the plug and.............. Comes straight out of the drain tube😎😎😎😎

Thank you so much for your advice throughout, I really appreciate it.

On 11/03/2025 at 11:09, KirkJames said:

When I looked at the drain plug it wasn't even connected to the tube....... at all!!!! I did take a pic but it didn't come out well.

Reconnected the tube to the plug and.............. Comes straight out of the drain tube😎😎😎😎

Thank you so much for your advice throughout, I really appreciate it.

As I already told you in the beginning of this thread: These tubes shrink in length as they age. That's why the tube was disconnected. You have now reconnected it, but the tube is still too short, so the issue will return. The only permanent fix is to replace the tubes by new ones.

3 minutes ago, andrehj said:

As I already told you in the beginning of this thread: These tubes shrink in length as they age. That's why the tube was disconnected. You have now reconnected it, but the tube is still too short, so the issue will return. The only permanent fix is to replace the tubes by new ones.

No, I poked it out when cleaning the tube 😂👍