2010 Passat Wagon B6: Dripping sound coming from interior passenger compartment when heater is operating

[danriddell]

Dripping sound coming from interior passenger compartment when heater is operating. I do not see any water dripping from underneath the car while Heater is running
Steps to duplicate
1. Start vehicle
2. Turn on heater (AC button is set to Off)
3. Set blower to Level 2 (I use Level 2 because Level 3 is too noisy and I don’t hear it as much from Level 1)
4. Wait 10 minutes
5. You will hear intermittent water dripping sounds that seem to be coming from the passenger side.

I'm thinking there is a plugged drain not allowing the evaporator condensation to drain properly. I removed the panel to the side of the center console and can see to what appears to be a drain line leading into the body pan. However, I cannot seem to find the outlet from under the vehicle. I'm thinking it is under the heat shield somewhere. Any help is appreciated.

[Quatrelle]

Dan - are you sure it's water dripping?

I leave my aircon on all the time - stops the seals drying out - and when I put the 'key' in the ignition and if I wait a while before I start the engine there are all sorts of clicking noises coming from the dashboard area. Never thought of it as a dripping noise, but I suppose it could sound like it.

Do you get a puddle under the car (usual with AC), or in the car? If it is water dripping it's got to be going somewhere.

I was thinking my post is wasting your time (you don't mention turning the AC on), and apologies if it is, but if you're talking about evaporator condensation that implies the AC is working.

[danriddell]

Hello Quatrelle,

Thank you for the reply. I am hearing the dripping with the AC off. Therefore, you must be correct that evaporator condensation would not be the issue. The dripping sound can be compared to having a pan of water and then dipping your finger tips in the water and lifting them out. The sound is similar to that of the drips coming off the finger tips and splashing in the pan of water below. I know this sounds strange, but that is what I can compare it to. I just ran a test with the AC on and let the car run for about 10 minutes with the AC at the coolest setting. I do not see any water drips under the car. However, the ambient temp at the time of the test was 64 F and the coolest setting on the vehicle states 64 F. Therefore, I don't know if condensation would occur since there is no temperature differential. There has been no water or moisture inside the care. My wife said she took the car through the car wash the day before she started hearing the dripping sound. I heard the sound as well. When turning from left to right I don't hear a sloshing sound that I would think would occur if there was a significant build-up of water. However, I do think I hear a higher drip rate. Very odd if you ask me. My biggest concern possible leakage into the passenger area and corrosion of heat/ac components if there is a build-up of water. I'm not sure if the drain is blocked that I would see water on the floorboards?

[micheal balbrig]

The clue must be in the car wash episode.
The evap. drain is probably down near carpet and unlikely to make a dripping sound. the exterior evap.drain is probably hidden behind the sound insulation on l.h. bulkhead, there
may be a flap cut out to aid inspection.
You need to find the leak as it can cause electrical problems.
Start with the usual plenum chamber checks.

[danriddell]

Hi Michael,

I agree that the car wash is the first clue and I agree on checking the debris under the plenum. I have a thread asking about plenum removable: Question 2010 Passat Wagon B6: How to remove plenum cover under windshield? (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/173535-2010-Passat-Wagon-B6-How-to-remove-plenum-cover-under-windshield). I have a subscripton to alldatadiy.com for the Passat, but no joy on plenum help.

[niall campbell]

I have answered this in the other thread

[Quatrelle]

Might be worth a look at the state of the pollen filter.

[danriddell]

Hello Quatrelle, I just replaced the cabin filter this past weekend and it had a bit of debris buildup, but no mold. I replace the cabin filter every 3 months. I'm going to clean the debris from under the plenum this weekend and will post my findings.

[niall campbell]

I do mine every 20,000 with air filter & diesel filter


every 10,000 I do the oil & oil filter.

As you have a diesel, just keep the air con all the time to stop bacteria ..................... you wont notice any more use of fuel