Wet rear seat/boot

[Dan Williams]

Hi All, I have noticed the rear seat on my 1.9tdi 2003 avant is wet. I stripped the boot liner out and found the boot is dripping wet! I will have a thorough investigate when I get home form work, but Could this be a burst rear wash wipe pipe? Anyone know where it runs through the rear area of the car?

THanks in advance

[Dan Williams]

ok it's not the rear wash wipe, I've stripped the inner boot panel off and tested it an no water leaks found. Also checked seal of rear light cluster and no traces of wetness, also had a good look around the prear door and window seals and again no water and no signs of water ingression. The spare wheel area had three inches of water, the load bay is soaking and the drivers side rear passenger seat is pretty wet at the rear of the base and the lower 1/4 of the squab!?

Could water ingress through the wheel arch? are there any bungs in there? I couldn't see as it's filthy and pitch black but I will hose it down in the light and have a look, but any pointers hugely appreciated please!

[fishybusiness]

Used to have a small leak in the back on my Avant, though nothing like yours though. I found the two shocker top mounts were corroded beyond belief. The mounts have a rubber seal running around the top, the corrosion had caused the seals to warp and water was getting past them.

[Dan Williams]

Thanks for the suggestion. do I have to strip the boot side lining out or would i be able to see it from inside the wheel arch - once it's clean :)

[mrnice]

You might be able strip interior panels off to inspect the leak but the shock mounts unbolt from in the wheel arch, I replaced one recently that had literally half turned to dust with corrosion and disintegrated. They're very cheap (febi) from ecp or Gsf and easily replaced.

[fishybusiness]

As above, I found it easiest to remove the shocker, 1 bolt at the bottom 2 x 13mm head nuts up top. Give them a brush off and a squirt of penetrating oil or similar and off you go.