2011 Sportwagen Water in Floorboards

[Popsickle]

Hello all,
I have a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen with a couple of gallons of water in both driverside floorboards with a small amount of water in the passenger front floorboards. There is no sign of water coming down any of the A, B, C pillars; with the area behind the pedals wet so the water is coming through somewhere above that location.

A few weeks ago I had a similar issue and checked both front sunroof drains for clogs and flow and they both worked flawlessly so I am unsure of how and where the water is getting in. Are there other locations that are prone to leaks?

I appreciate the help,
Jon

 

[JELLOWSUBMARINE]

Although I have an 11 with pano I haven't had to deal with that, probably due to the dry climate I live in. So FWIW, I've watched these threads closely and It seems to me the big issue may be that the factory drains are inadequately sized. As these repeated repair post evolve through time I'm seeing increased draining capacity addressed with success. Seems no matter how sealed, the flow can't handle big dumps.? If I ever address this issue up sizing WILL be part of it.

 

[Popsickle]

Although I have an 11 with pano I haven't had to deal with that, probably due to the dry climate I live in. So FWIW, I've watched these threads closely and It seems to me the big issue may be that the factory drains are inadequately sized. As these repeated repair post evolve through time I'm seeing increased draining capacity addressed with success. Seems no matter how sealed, the flow can't handle big dumps.? If I ever address this issue up sizing WILL be part of it.

I appreciate the info and would not mind increasing the size of the drains; I have found detailed instructions for the rear drains but nothing for the front, sadly.

 

[Francobenz]

I appreciate the info and would not mind increasing the size of the drains; I have found detailed instructions for the rear drains but nothing for the front, sadly.

Maybe worth looking the cowl area like in this thread: https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/soggy-jsw-blocked-cowl-drain.360670/

 

[Popsickle]

Maybe worth looking the cowl area like in this thread: https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/soggy-jsw-blocked-cowl-drain.360670/

I taped up the sunroof with clear gorilla tape this afternoon so that should stop any water issues from the roof drains and I'll use that as a test bed before I dig into my car as the thread you linked suggested. Thanks again!

 

[Porch]

I taped up the sunroof with clear gorilla tape this afternoon so that should stop any water issues from the roof drains and I'll use that as a test bed before I dig into my car as the thread you linked suggested. Thanks again!

Clear Gorilla Tape works for about a year, then you have to take off and re-apply. No matter how well you service your drains, if you park on an incline in the rain, water will enter your car. My current solution is white vinyl roof wrap, solves the water entry and miserable heat dome properties of the sunroof perfectly. The sunroof is overrated anyway, in my opinion. The little screen that pops up when you open it catches every bug on earth and is hard and gross to clean. Among many other issues.

 

[Popsickle]

Further update: After taping the sunroof up and drying the floorboards out I had significant rain and yet again wet floorboards. I believe that my windshield is not properly sealed as there air bubbles around the perimeter and I am stilling getting water inside the vehicle.

To recap everything that I have done:
1) Cleaned/cleared front sunroof drains. Cleared with air and removed windshield wiper guard to access drain port above engine compartment.
2) Sealed sunfoor with Gorilla Tape.

Further Plans:
1) Look into windshield replace, I have a small crack that does not interfere with driving. And a larger set of groves from windshield wipers that I could not replace during COVID that does impact driving.

 

[DrGERTol]

If you have water entering at the windshield, also check for moisture around the BCM, mounted above the pedals under the instrument panel. Moisture in the BCM can cause misbehavior of lighting (interior & exterior) and other electrical components that are controlled directly by the BCM. --g

 

[jimmyfine]

Sounds like you are narrowing it down, but just some quick pointers from someone that did replace all drains in a 2010 JSW.
1. My leaks were caused by the design at the tray connection which uses 2 spots of glue to secure the hose into a size adapter to connect to the drain. water was running down the outside of the tubes.
2. I used (I think) 1/2 inch clear tubing to replace, it slipped over the drains when heated to allow it to expand over it, then secured with a zip tie. The other end I cut some of the original tube and glued it inside the new tubing to allow it to go into the little rubber things properly.
3. Be careful not to pull it out of the rubber boots when reinstalling trim, especially with the front pillars.

 

[Reinout]

Hello all,
I have a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen with a couple of gallons of water in both driverside floorboards with a small amount of water in the passenger front floorboards. There is no sign of water coming down any of the A, B, C pillars; with the area behind the pedals wet so the water is coming through somewhere above that location.

A few weeks ago I had a similar issue and checked both front sunroof drains for clogs and flow and they both worked flawlessly so I am unsure of how and where the water is getting in. Are there other locations that are prone to leaks?

I appreciate the help,
Jon

A few winters ago I kept having to dry out my 11 JSW with pano roof, because the windows were always fogged up in the morning. After a few weeks of this, on a whim, I decided to remove some interior pieces to find that my spare tire had drowned, or rather, was drowning. The water had filled up the entire spare tire cavity. Needless to say, there was a problem.

I see other replies here that talk about two drains: There are FOUR: two in the front and two in the back. My rear-most drain valves were clogged.

Since I had to take nearly the entire interior out anyway I was able to access them. They look like this: https://images.simplepart.com/images/uploads/SimplePart - Audi/fullsize/a_20170830_0845376993.png

Tough to describe where they were but I was able to find them after I pulled the side panels out of the back of the car. They dump the water into what looks like the rear wheel well. I decided that there's such a small chance of the drain valve getting anything UP into them that I trimmed the valve bit off. I have not had a problem since.

 

[Porch]

A few winters ago I kept having to dry out my 11 JSW with pano roof, because the windows were always fogged up in the morning. After a few weeks of this, on a whim, I decided to remove some interior pieces to find that my spare tire had drowned, or rather, was drowning. The water had filled up the entire spare tire cavity. Needless to say, there was a problem.

I see other replies here that talk about two drains: There are FOUR: two in the front and two in the back. My rear-most drain valves were clogged.

Since I had to take nearly the entire interior out anyway I was able to access them. They look like this: https://images.simplepart.com/images/uploads/SimplePart - Audi/fullsize/a_20170830_0845376993.png

Tough to describe where they were but I was able to find them after I pulled the side panels out of the back of the car. They dump the water into what looks like the rear wheel well. I decided that there's such a small chance of the drain valve getting anything UP into them that I trimmed the valve bit off. I have not had a problem since.

I trimmed all 4 nipples, flossed the hoses, sealed the tops of the drain hoses, flushed with gallons of water to check function, and... still couldn't park on a hill in the rain without water entering the car. Sunroof sealed shut forever, I can't be bothered. As if these cars aren't already a handful in so many other ways...

 

[Popsickle]

Update: First, I really appreciate the thoughtful input from everyone. Second, the leak continues; but from where, nobody knows. Had wet floorboards again, passenger side only. Is it possible that water could be coming up from below? Forrest Gump did say there was rain that came up from below, so maybe that is it?

The water in the drivers-side front floorboards appears to be more localized in the "center" area of the floorboards, the carpet is not wet to the touch near the dead pedal (anymore) and the area that is under the drivers seat is dry to the bone. While the backseat drivers-side floorboard is wet throughout and is more wet (so more water in that area). Still no water in the rear of the vehicle and the A, B, C pillars are dry.

Edit: Maybe it is the AC drain tube? Where is this located?
Jon

 

[Popsickle]

OK, so maybe not the AC drain tube, have let the car sit with the A/C on for about 40 minutes. I do have a little puddle of water under the right side of the car and no new water in the car.

 

[Wilkins]

Any possibility it is the cowling drains that are plugged? I mean the area behind the engine bay and in front of the windscreen that has a light plastic cover. IIRC the HVAC air intake is in there and water could be making its way through the HVAC system. If the AC drain is partially plugged or just overwhelmed by water that should drain elsewhere could that be it? Its easy to get to the HVAC filter, is that wet?

 

[jimmyfine]

@Popsickle It is confusing that you still have that much water coming in. I never got water in the rear floorboards from the rear drains, normally the front would just run to the back seats in mine, being parked on a hill. I would venture that the drain nipple under the windshield wiper cowl thing may be plugged, or that your passenger front tube pulled out of the boot completely, mine did that and I had like 6 gallons after a 24 hour light rain and being parked pointed uphill.