Audi A6 Avant - Water in footwell problem

[WaudiN]

Thanks Balderdash

I have had a sneaking suspicion my problem might be related to the rear screen washer, as I smell a strong smell of the fluid when I use the rear washer. I will check this out and let you all know if this is the fault.

[WaudiN]

The electrical fault was caused by the same issue as Balderdash's, the pipe leading to the rear washer had come unclipped, and every time it was used I blasted the central locking control unit with washer fluid, until it eventually failed. This only occured when I applied the washer, it was not a constant leak. The centrol locking unit had to be replaced at no small expense!

[julie351]

hi Waudin,
Just reading there about the problem you had with your hazard lights. At the moment my partner is going through the same problem and like that we have changed the hazards switch thinking that was the reason. Now we have no idea? what was the problem with your Audi... if you could please help us we would be very grateful.

[WaudiN]

Hi Julie351

A pipe leading from the washer fluid reservoir in the engine bay to the rear washer which runs under the car had come loose and was leaking fluid onto electrical components. Eventually the ECU failed and I had the bizarre problem with the hazard lights. I know monitor the force of the rear washer...if it ever seems to fade I will check to see if that pipe is again leaking...I hope that helps.

The electrical fault was caused by the same issue as Balderdash's, the pipe leading to the rear washer had come unclipped, and every time it was used I blasted the central locking control unit with washer fluid, until it eventually failed. This only occured when I applied the washer, it was not a constant leak. The centrol locking unit had to be replaced at no small expense!

[Lee A6]

I have spoken now to several dealers, all confirm that A6's do leak into the passenger footwell. We have two A6s and I have one in bits drying out! Carpets, seats, trim etc. that one was caused by the pollen filter housing which I have rectified and it now sits on a bed of silicon, as does the windscreen seal and other plastic trim in that area to prevent any water ingress into the pollen filter itself.

In respect to the drain bungs the battery and it's tray does have to come out to check the drains, both of ours were clear though.

The carpet removal (to aid the drying) was a pain, and the control box under the carpet was full of water. Due to the recuring problem come contacts were badly corroded too, it is now back with the garage for them to resolve the electronics and there were no second hand control boxes in the breaker community, which indicates to me that there is quite a demand for these pieces.

As for those members with warranties I would encourage them to force Audi to sort the problem which is clearly a design issue, not an act of god, unless of course he forsaw the need to filter pollen from cars...............................

[ziggyman65]

My 2001 passat 1.8T sludge maker(3 times in 40,000miles) had a water intrusion problem in 2005 during a heavy rain here in Los Angeles. I had 4in of water in the back and front passenger side floor At that time the dealer techs tired to tell me it was due to the sunroof drain being plugged. I told them to show me. I told them to get a hose and pour away, no water came in. Why? because it is a design flaw in the body http://www.volkswagen-classaction.com/. They could not reproduce the leak so they later determined that a plug on the right side underbody was improperly installed. They told me it was fixed. Fast forward to last week and the first heavy rain here since 2005. Same thing the car flooded only now they are blameing me for not cleaning the drain in the sunroof. How do they know how often I clean my car? I get it washed weekly and detailed twice a year so any leaves or sticks that are accessalbe are removed. My book dose not cover this issue or warn me about it. If any water was leaking from the sunroof I would have known. If this was a tire we could submerge it in water and checked for leaks. How do I check to see if they fixed the leak from under the car? they will need a really big bucket. OR some heavy rain VW sucks i hope they get what they deserve. I welcome any additonal info on this topic I am in the middle of this fight with VW. If you are having the same trouble contact <Nick.Cardoni@vw.com

[paul b]

Lee A6,
The plenum chamber fault you are talking about was fixed on all facelift models in 2002.

[Peter D]

This has come up many times on this and other forums. Some main dealers have done recalls for this problem so I suspect it is a HQ action but a dealership option. There are two bungs in the Plenum Chamber thet require to be checked/ cleaned one is unver the battery tray an dhte other in sunder the botton of the brake servo unit, It is rumoured that the dealer just remove the rubber bungs from under the car and flush some water through and do nor replace the bungs. To do this job property you should look as the Passet link further up the thread and also ensure that toy clean out the leaves form behind the Electronics ECU box on the drivers side and from around the wiper motor gear and also the LHS around the pollen filter. The chamber can hold a considerable amoun t of water in excess of three litres. I personnlly do not remove the bungs but I get then really clean. Removing the battery requires you to have the radio code and there is a comment in you hand book to turn the ignition on got 5 seconds before starting the car. I have had the Air-con report an error, flashing A/C display, due to the flaps getting confused on powering up. This may be why the 5 seconds, however I put a keeper on the car so this is avoided. As I have detailed before if you shine torcg down the passenger side of the battery you should not see an depth of water. Close the bonnet and flood the scree with a hose pipe for at least 1 min. Lift the bonner and chack again for water down the side of the battery. I you look down the bulkhead you should see a stream of water dribbling/pouring out from the chamber and dropping down onto the sides of the gearbox casing. Regards Peter

[Tazz070299]

The electrical fault was caused by the same issue as Balderdash's, the pipe leading to the rear washer had come unclipped, and every time it was used I blasted the central locking control unit with washer fluid, until it eventually failed. This only occured when I applied the washer, it was not a constant leak

This happened twice to my Audi in 2005 and it was eventually realised that the pipe only became disconnected when it was more than 4 degrees below freezing outside, and I had operated the rear screen washer. The conclusion I reached, and therefore the remedy, was that the water in the pipe running to the rear hatch was freezing at some point. I increased the ratio of screenwash to water and the problem has not recurred.

Tazz

[lennymfo]

Hi, I have 2001 Y 2.5 TDi and I have a damp carpet in the rear drivers side passenger footwell. Would this be the battery thingy as well? I hope so