Wiper area/hood meets windshield drain

jnl_public

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Location
California, US
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon
I'm trying to diagnose my floor board carpet getting wet on the driver side all of a sudden when it rains.

One thing mentioned in the blogosphere is that water can seep down along the firewall. I've always known the leaves, debris, small twigs, etc. accumulates at the base of the wipers. Usually, I pull the stuff out but over the years, some has fallen down beneath the plastic grate at the edge of the windshield.

I've been trying to figure out how to pull that grate off so that I can clean up the debris that has accumulated below hoping that that will somehow allow rain to then drain better and hopefully, not make it's way to my carpet.


  1. Any suggestions on how to remove the grate?
  2. Other suggestions on how to diagnose the source of the seepage is welcomed too. (The area most effected is a lengthwise shallow indentation/~4" wide groove that one can feel through the carpet.)


Thanks all.
 

eddieleephd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
May 27, 2012
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
TDI
2002 jetta Wagon
This sounds like a sunroof drain issue.
This is common with a sunroof leaves and stuff clog the drain and they overflow down the pillar soaking the floor board.
As far as the grill section that you speak of lift the hood and there should be screws there, T-25 screws most likely..
If I remember correctly you must remove the wipers to get it off.
 

UhOh

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 24, 2014
Location
PNW
TDI
2000 & 2003 Golf GLS (2005 Mercedes E320 CDI)
If you're just looking to clean then it's possible to ever-so-lightly lift that "rain tray" edge up and stick a small vacuum wand in there. I recently did this with the daughter's wagon.

Still might be a leak around the hood cable. That's a common leak spot. But, also noted, be sure your sun roof drains are working properly: this is (mostly) the easiest thing to check.
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
The front sun roof drain comes out in the door jam.
I pinch the rubber flap every few weeks to make sure its not stuck.

Rich W.
 

jnl_public

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Location
California, US
TDI
2002 Jetta Wagon
Thanks for those helpful suggestions.

With regards to the source possibly emanating from the sunroof, in my case, my Jetta doesn't have one.

@ Drucifer , thanks for providing the link to that video. Hopefully I don't break that plastic panel. In the parlance of the video's host, removing the panel looks a bit dodgey.

Any other areas that should be explored to find the source of the leak, I'm listening.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
It's not hard to get off, just be careful. The hard part is getting it back in with the lip on the windshield nice and tight. Meticulous cleaning and maybe some soap on the edge what fits in the channel. Warm air temperatures are good.
 

Rembrant

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2014
Location
Canada's Ocean Playground
TDI
2013 Golf TDI DSG
Meticulous cleaning and maybe some soap on the edge what fits in the channel. Warm air temperatures are good.
Yup. I clean the plastic channel in the bottom of the windshield with a toothbrush, Spray-9 and a shop-vac.

PS: The windshield itself can leak if it has been replaced at some point and not re-sealed properly.
 

atownbrg

Veteran Member
Joined
May 6, 2016
Location
SLO County CA
TDI
2000 Jetta TDI 5 speed
I have to do this as well, this video makes it look a little easier..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHhnCe4r4Q
Maybe a loose blade from a hacksaw will fit in the narrow channel to help dig out gunk where the plastic piece fits into?
Also it could be easier starting from one side or the other and prying up near the hood hinge rather than trying to pop it up by prying near the glass.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
I have to do this as well, this video makes it look a little easier..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxHhnCe4r4Q
Maybe a loose blade from a hacksaw will fit in the narrow channel to help dig out gunk where the plastic piece fits into?
Also it could be easier starting from one side or the other and prying up near the hood hinge rather than trying to pop it up by prying near the glass.
It could, but it's best to not use any metal tools in that area. You can use a really strong cleaner like MEK or toluene if you have to, just be sure to rinse.
 

where2

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 29, 1999
Location
North Palm Beach, FL, USA
TDI
One '13 JSW_TDI & One '04 Variant_TDI
Last September, I cleaned the leaves and debris out of my rain tray. I also put a bead of silicone on the rim of the cover for where the wiring harness enters the cabin. That seems to have stopped the water ingress in my MkIV.
 

JB05

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 20, 2005
Location
Il.USA
TDI
Golf,2005,anthracite blue
The very bottom of the drains, behind the rear fender liner can and will get clogged. Someone here suggested using a spacer on the bottom rear bolt to create a small gap for leaves to come out, and this has worked well for me.
 

pudman2003

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Location
Wa
TDI
Mk4 Tropical Orange GTD, Lifted Jetta Wagon TDI, MK2 Jetta Coupe GTD
If your leak isn't coming from the cowl area, you need to look your window regulator panel bolted to the drivers door. If the seal on the regulator panel is bad water can leak into the interior.You should also look at the speaker mount to the regulator panel. You can use a hose to help diagnose. Force water into the door panel by side mirror outside of car and see if water comes out of regulator panel.

Good luck
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
If your leak isn't coming from the cowl area, you need to look your window regulator panel bolted to the drivers door. If the seal on the regulator panel is bad water can leak into the interior.You should also look at the speaker mount to the regulator panel. You can use a hose to help diagnose. Force water into the door panel by side mirror outside of car and see if water comes out of regulator panel.
Good luck
I wonder if water is getting in there through the drivers side rear door on my car.
I replaced both rear speakers (1 was dead) and mounted them to the regulator w/o the original plastic spacer from the speaker.
Seamed easier at the time.
 
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