The apparent standard fitment wet rear foot well!

[Strath44]

So we have had torrential rain for the last 3 days, took the mats out to hoover and the rear passenger side carpet is damp / wet, no sitting water and the front carpet is damp, the water seems clean and smells fresh not stale.

I've had a good look through all the threads and it seems to point toward faulty drain plugs in the front plenum chamber.

Ordinarily I would be only to happy to investigate and fix, however the rain is not subsiding and we dont have a garage so I suspect it will need to go into the German specialist next to my work!

Is there anywhere I should direct them and would it be better going into Audi, I see although a very common fault Audi (in fact vag) arent accepting much responsibility........

[niall campbell]

you need to prise off wiper arms and have a look

[Peter D]

Remove the battery cover and shine a torch down the side of the battery, can you see water. ?? A sure sign the 2 drain holes are bunged up with small leaves. Regards Peter

[Strath44]

Hi Folks, this weekend was the first chance I've had to have a look at this, I was waiting for the rain to stop but don't think that's going to be anytime soon!

On my 2008 car the wiper rather handily do not need to be removed to allow the removal of the plastic cover (just a seal) which is very handy!

Anyway took the cover off and was expecting to see several inches of sitting water behind the bulkhead however its bone dry and very clean! It is a little damp / muddy looking down the right of the cabin air intake housing near the screen wash filler neck.

Any advice as to where to go from here?
There is mention of a poor seal of the cabin air intake housing to the bulkhead and that there is a replacement seal part instead of the poor foam seal fitted just now, is that true?
Any other things I should be looking at?

I saw this online and it looked useful:

Checking, cleaning, removing and installing plenum chamber water drain Note

t Drainage of water out of plenum chamber may be impaired by deposits such as leaves and pine needles accumulating in the water drains. If the vehicle is then driven through a car wash or in the event of heavy rainfall, the water level in the plenum chamber will rise and water ingress via the fresh-air intake -A- into the air intake unit -B-. t The water drain hose -C- is intended to discharge the small amounts of water entering the air intake unit via the fresh-air intake in normal operation. t The water drains via the water drain hose -C- out of the plenum chamber (via connection -D-) into the transmission tunnel in the area behind the noise and heat insulation mat (a hole is provided specifically for this in the bottom of the plenum chamber). t A plastic element -D- for reducing the cross-section is inserted in the water drain hose -C-. If plastic element -D- is not fitted, noise may occur depending on fresh-air blower -V2- speed.

t The water drain socket -C- is accessible after removing the alarm horn -H12- of the anti-theft alarm -B-. The water drain socket -D- is not accessible with the brake servo and air intake unit -A- in position. t If the water drain sockets -C- and -D- are clogged with leaves and pine needles, the drains may freeze up in winter and prevent water drainage. After driving a short distance, the heat emitted by the engine and exhaust system causes the ice in the drains to thaw again. It is possible that the water will have drained off from the plenum chamber again by the time the vehicle arrives at the workshop. t The water drain socket -C- can be cleaned for example after removing the alarm horn -H12- of the anti-theft alarm -B- (removing alarm horn -H12- t Coarse dirt can be removed from the water drain socket -D- using a commercially available flexible gripping tool for example. Fine deposits and sludge can be removed for example using a thin water hose or a pressure-feed spray gun -V.A.G 1538- and a nylon probe -V.A.G 1538/2-. t If one of the two water drain sockets -C- or -D- is blocked and there are leaves, for example, in the plenum chamber, remove coarse dirt from the area beneath the air intake unit using a commercially available flexible gripping tool for instance. Fine deposits and sludge can be removed for example using a thin water hose or a pressure-feed spray gun -V.A.G 1538- and a nylon probe -V.A.G 1538/2-. t To stop water from the plenum chamber flowing via the water drain hose -E- into the air intake unit, the hose ends in the area behind the noise and heat insulation mat in the transmission tunnel.

Removing and installing alarm horn -H12- Fitting location: in plenum chamber (front) between electronics box (right-side) and blower box.

Removing – Switch off ignition and take out ignition key. – Pull off rubber seal -1- for plenum chamber cover. – Remove plenum chamber cover -2-. – Unscrew nut -2- for alarm horn -H12-. – Unscrew nut -3- for retainer -1-. – Remove bracket from blower box -arrow- and take out retainer from plenum chamber. – Unplug electrical connector and remove alarm horn -H12- from plenum chamber. Installing Installation is carried out in the reverse order; note the following: – Note bonded rubber bush for blower box when installing bracket. Tightening torques Component Nm Alarm horn -H12- to bracket 5 Bracket to body 7

[Rob69]

Check the rear door inner skins or panel, pop the bottom of the card off and feel along the bottom of the inner skin, there is a neoprene type seal that can leak water between the inner skin and door and then into the car.

[Strath44]

Thanks I saw that doorskin problem mentioned else where but don't see any water ingress from that area.

[royclark]

Pull the bungs out under the car to let standing water run out.



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[Strath44]

thanks roy, I pinched those details above from another forum you posted on I think - recognise your avatar!

have you any ideas where to try next is there a known issue with the plenum chamber not sealing properly against the bulkhead?

[royclark]

Only the two drain tubes in the plenum chamber.
Are you sure that the drain tubes are clear ? They may be partially blocked allowing the water to drain slowly but can't cope with a downpour.
The other thing is, do you have a sun roof?

[Anthony*1989]

The problem you have is the same as mine. First of all.... I would advise to remove your carpet completely and let it dry out for a few days. I had no sitting water on the carpet but about 3-4 inches of water sat all over my electrics. Its very thick foam underneath and you will not dry it unless you take it out. Your problem... is under the wipers... there is like a little black collector that collects the water from the windscreen. (It is just behind the blower motor) Mine was full of black sludge and brimmed with water... I got a coat hanger to clear the sludge. As soon as I did this the water drained straight out. I dried my carpet out and had no issues for a while. Unfortunately with the recent bad weather again - I noticed the same problem.... the collector had become thick with black sludge again and could not drain.