where do the sunroof drains exit?

While the sunroof drains need to be checked, it is not the usual problem area for leaks.

nickyt said:

While the sunroof drains need to be checked, it is not the usual problem area for leaks.

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Thanks. They are short so my 2.5ft of pipe bottoming out is explained. I did a water test and they drain just fine.

So here is my issue. Both plenums drained fine and the drivers side has already had the rubber part removed, the condensor for AC is draining just fine and both sunroof drains are working fine...

How am I getting water up front?

I pulled up the carpet on the pass. side and it's VERY wet. I had to tear out the foam at the foot well and I watched the drain for the evap for 30 minutes while the AC dumped fresh water directly onto the ground...no leaks at that drain or fittings. Drivers side was wet but not nearly as much as passenger. Backs are dry as is the rear and under tire.

Is this just a freak because I parked the car up hill during a monsoon weekend?

Do I have a leaking windshield?

How do the plenums even leak into the interior if they fill to the top (or close)...what is the ingress point?

Foam under carpet is not moldy or smelly...if this was happening for a long time I would expect to see/smell either. The wiring loom was soaked (pass side) and if it's been getting wet for some time I would expect more issues, no?

I also read the ECUs sit under the pass seat in a low spot (great design engineers...go back to school). Should I pull that seat (and how) to see if they are laying in a pool of water? I cannot tell trying to peek.

I know that's a lot but I'm pretty frustrated with no smoking gun. About to leave the carpet/foam out and drive thru a car wash and look for ingress!

For those who say that the sunroof drain is rarely the cause, I beg to differ. My Jetta ended up with inches of water in it after a rain, my wife's Q7 had an issue with water, but luckily my TReg is still dry. Of all the cars that I've had, most of them have had to get the drain ports cleaned or replaced at some point in their life.

The latest issue was the Q7, and when I brought it in, the dealer said it was odd that there were about six brought in that week for the same issue. If you look at the schematic NICKYT sent, the bottom blow up is of the front pillar. Where the tubing makes the nearly 90 degree bend from the pillar to the dash area, there is a plastic connector that joins two tubes. This connector is also connected to the car to provide an anchor point. It is this plastic piece that broke in the Jetta and the Q7. (The Jetta was broken in the front and the rear drain)

After digging to gain access to the drain for hours, I gave up and called the dealer. I called my insurance also. I can't speak for everyone's insurance, but mine cut me a check for water damage. I used some of the money to fix it at the dealer, and used some to treat/replace the carpet pad.

47Driver said:

For those who say that the sunroof drain is rarely the cause, I beg to differ. .

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I think your point is very valid...as you may know there was a class action against Vw for many models and well over a decade worth of design issues for leaks. I think the boys are saying that the plenum leaks are the bigger concern here and the sunroof drains which are an issue are usually the lesser of two evils of what is turning out to be 101 leak locations. I'm already shopping for a used non-Vw as I type...

My neighbor said maybe I was hitting a connector of a two part drain hose when snaking it with a wire...so I better watch out how much I push. If it's in fact a two part (or any vehicle) what a terrible design. Having a lip in there is guaranteed to catch debris for a small tube.

Now I already talked to my insurance guy (buddy) and he said he'd have no trouble making a claim for me if a couple $1K modules go bad on me as I'm documenting with photos the extent and amount of water I'm finding. So for those who find this thread...keep that option in mind. You may be out only a deductible if your insurance is quality like mine. My car is running with no current codes since fixing the corroded can bus wire but who knows if those modules got soaked in the low point under the seat...and at the moment I don't have the energy to pull the seat.

Today's plan is to pull the A pillar covers, leave the passenger side carpet rolled up and hit the local car wash (I'm terribly overdue) and sit back and observe!

Once I get this ticking time bomb dried out...it's off to the auction! Before anyone rants on me that all cars have similar or different issue, they don't. I have been around the block with everything European and a few domestic and although many makes and models have systemic issues nothing is more terrible then Vw customer service, electronics (especially) and reliability. Plus parts for Vw shouldn't be so expensive...they are the freak'n GM of Europe. The culture and styling are great and so are most forums. I just like different vehicles and I thought a T2 fit the bill. This was a one owner vehicle and only maintained at the dealer...even oil changes. I have all the records. You win some, you lose some...but used Vw are always a bigger risk IMHO. I know these cost more to maintain...but I didn't expect the frequency to be so high.