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2017 Sport w/Tech Engine Ingested Water

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#281 ·
I also have a water damaged air filter, both drain are clean, purchased the vehicle new , now have 9000 + miles and yes I drove in heavy rain.
So now that we know what the problem is, we know there is away to "repair" it, where can we get the part to fix it?
I don't care if I have to Jerry rig it (Chinese style) this is a dumb somewhat simple fix, VW will not recall our Touaregs in the US, not enough of us and no death yet related to this issue.
Anyone with a 2015 or higher ever removed the grill without breaking anything, please pass on the knowledge, thanks.
 
#284 ·
It looks like the drain tube is sucking up water because left side of filter is more damaged. Took it to the dealership they said keep an eye on it and it's normal for water to get inside the air box. Also made a complaint on nhtsa.
 
#285 ·
I just ran into the same problem with my 2015 TDI. Thanks for the excellent photos posted by gazaflash, I noticed the drain just before the airbox - circled in blue. While my airbox drain was not plugged, that other drain in the air intake, which I didn't know existed until seeing this picture, was not draining. I suspect that could be one of the reasons my filter got wet. There is the same type of drain valve on the cabin filter drain and this was plugged earlier this year soaking that filter and my passenger side carpet. Anyway, check that drain too if you're having the issue. I'll keep a VERY close eye on my filter from now on and will be discussing it with my dealer and VW.

To me, the fact that the filter is on its side and going all the way down the airbox seems like a questionable design... Heavy condensation pooling at the bottom could cause the filter to get wet and wick water instead of it making its way to the drain - if the box was a little deeper below the filter, I think it may reduce this problem.

235721
 
#286 ·
A check of my air filter in the 2011 TDI Lux, (Purchased at 36K mi. in Nov 2019 and now at 40K miles) shows a dry filter and a few crushed leaves in the bottom of the filter box. The filter in the car was dirty and had a mfg date of 2015.I do not know how long it was in the vehicle.
I replaced it and will also watch this item closely. It is really crazy that when it rains I'll be thinking about my damn air filter in this thing.
 
#287 ·
I went thru a car wash about a week ago- went out and pulled out the air filter. The last 2 pleats were damp. (I have driven over 1,200 miles since the car wash). Cleaned out the drain in the bottom of the airbox.
In the picture from Vince above- why wouldn't a good option be to remove that plug circled in blue? Let the water drain out. It would decrease water fording a few inches I suppose. I don't do water crossings in this. I have a truck for that.
 
#288 ·
77 K20 said:
In the picture from Vince above- why wouldn't a good option be to remove that plug circled in blue? Let the water drain out. It would decrease water fording a few inches I suppose. I don't do water crossings in this. I have a truck for that.
Click to expand...
This is what I did shortly after I bought mine. I knew this was an issue before purchasing, so I made sure to investigate after. I found water sitting in the elbow after each heavy rain when the car was parked. No issues since, and I've been through heavy rainstorms almost weekly since Xmas. Checked again yesterday and filter is bone dry. Like you said, unless you are going to ford 3 feet of water, it's pointless to have it there.
 
#289 ·
77 K20 said:
I went thru a car wash about a week ago- went out and pulled out the air filter. The last 2 pleats were damp. (I have driven over 1,200 miles since the car wash). Cleaned out the drain in the bottom of the airbox.
In the picture from Vince above- why wouldn't a good option be to remove that plug circled in blue? Let the water drain out. It would decrease water fording a few inches I suppose. I don't do water crossings in this. I have a truck for that.
Click to expand...
It is actually part of the recall in China to remove both of these plugs - sure seems like a solution that would avoid the majority of the issues. If mine is wet again, I'll likely do just that with the air intake drain first. I just wrote to VW Canada about the issue. I'll share their response.

 
#290 ·
Interesting- but they say only the 2015-2017 models are being recalled. As far as I can tell my 2011 has the same parts.
 
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#292 ·
#294 ·
2016BlueTouareg said:
Is their any difference between a stock VW filter and say a fram filter ?
Maybe the stock filter is coated with something to give it more water resistant but none the less water should not be getting by the air inlet.
Click to expand...
No. Mann or Mahle make filters for VW. No difference between those or other brands.

And if they are coating filters with a water resistant chemical, or whatever, that tells me they know there's a defect. And that size filter fits more vehicles than the Touareg, so there's no guarantee it would end up in a Touareg.
 
#296 ·
Hi Guys

I did a quick test today. I used an automatic car wash and kept the engine off during the wash.

Right after I was out of the carwash, I opened the hood and saw a stream of water coming from the valve under the intake elbow. I cleaned that valve when I bought the Touareg in December.

I then removed the valve and a LOT of water rushed out of the pipe. This is scary.

I also checked inside the filter housing, there was minimal amount of water at the bottom. Not enough for the filter housing drain to drain it.

For now, I will keep the elbow valve removed and will probably build a cover to protect the intake pipe.

This is really a bad design and should be fixed by VW


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#297 ·
MycHo- is yours a TDI? I ask because I have a TDI and it was almost impossible to see that "valve" in the trap of the air intake pipe. I can't see it at all from up on top. I could feel it with my fingertips- but couldn't grip it to remove it. I drove it up on ramps and removed the belly pan- but still couldn't get to it. Could barely even see it. I finally had to remove a few torx screws out of the passenger wheel well liner and then cram my arm up thru there to remove it. The little rubber valve was filled with junk. I left it out.
 
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#298 ·
77 K20 said:
MycHo- is yours a TDI? I ask because I have a TDI and it was almost impossible to see that "valve" in the trap of the air intake pipe. I can't see it at all from up on top. I could feel it with my fingertips- but couldn't grip it to remove it. I drove it up on ramps and removed the belly pan- but still couldn't get to it. Could barely even see it. I finally had to remove a few torx screws out of the passenger wheel well liner and then cram my arm up thru there to remove it. The little rubber valve was filled with junk. I left it out.
Click to expand...
Mine is a 2015 VR6. There is tons of room around the intake pipe and the valve was very easy to locate and remove


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#299 ·
What I did today kinda get warm outside, I took some foam weatherstrip cut it down the middle it's about 3/4 of an inch wide you'll need maybe 5/8's wide and place it as seen in the pics. Water simply washes down over the headlight and infront of the grill were you'll see my finger, this avoiding I think the snorkel in behind the grill.
Pic 1
Before no water behind the foam strip.
Second pic after the water over the closed hood. Still dry ( keep in mind I shampoo'd the engine)
Last pic with my finger water flowed straight down the grill.
Now the foam strip may not be very pretty or factory looking but until I find weatherstrip that looks factory I'll stick with this.
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#300 ·
I was worried about the filter after changing it about 18 months ago. Then it was super moldy and coming apart on the bottom.

The replacement filter looks ok, with moderate driving in your typical NE temperate weather. But definitely worth changing a bit more frequently and cleaning out the airbox
Image



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