1995 A6 water Intrusion
My current problem stopping the water from leaking into the front footwell. It has already destroyed my ecu.
Currently I have the car undercover and have the carpet pulled up so I can thoughly dry it. However I haven't been able to figure out how the water in getting in. Checked both sunroof drains, they are clear. Ran a hose over the car and winshield with the front firewall visable, but do not see any water coming in. I am currently stumped and frustrated.
Any ideas would really help me out.
Currently I have the car undercover and have the carpet pulled up so I can thoughly dry it. However I haven't been able to figure out how the water in getting in. Checked both sunroof drains, they are clear. Ran a hose over the car and winshield with the front firewall visable, but do not see any water coming in. I am currently stumped and frustrated.
Any ideas would really help me out.
The sunroof drains cannot be the culprit on a 1995, anyway. Unlike other years, the hoses run through the pillars and surface in between the door hinges, as you probably already found out. If the less likely possibility of a cut hose inside the pillar would occur, then you'd get the pillar upholstery wet anyway...
The two likely places for water ingress in relation to the footwell (only the passenger side?) are:
a) the fresh air exchange flap - which you can locate if you remove the glove box
(that would mean your firewall drain - there's only one, unlike other years - is clogged and you accumulate lots of water in there when it rains, sipping inside through the flap opening
b) through the footwell air vents - if you run the AC a lot (i have no idea where you live), as condensation that doesn't drain and is push through the air vents by the blower.
Since you didn't mention that your feet got ever wet while driving, then probably it is A
I have the exchange flap on mine shut all the time, no "fresh air" exchange, as I unplugged the vacuum hose. Also, I clean the firewall area from debris quite often and maintain the drain clear - you can even cut the rubber "nipples" so sticks or foliage would NOT get trapped in there and clog it.
I hope you find the source of your wet mishap.
The two likely places for water ingress in relation to the footwell (only the passenger side?) are:
a) the fresh air exchange flap - which you can locate if you remove the glove box
(that would mean your firewall drain - there's only one, unlike other years - is clogged and you accumulate lots of water in there when it rains, sipping inside through the flap opening
b) through the footwell air vents - if you run the AC a lot (i have no idea where you live), as condensation that doesn't drain and is push through the air vents by the blower.
Since you didn't mention that your feet got ever wet while driving, then probably it is A
I have the exchange flap on mine shut all the time, no "fresh air" exchange, as I unplugged the vacuum hose. Also, I clean the firewall area from debris quite often and maintain the drain clear - you can even cut the rubber "nipples" so sticks or foliage would NOT get trapped in there and clog it.
I hope you find the source of your wet mishap.
I am also having problems with water inside the car. I have a 1995 A6 been a really good car till the water problem, which has caused massive electrical problems. Mine has the battery located in the back seat. I suspect the water is coming in from the front because the front passenger footwell is soaked. There is water in the back as well but I think this is because I park at a slight incline. Are there two drain plugs on mine as well (below the winshield) I have run a hose through there seems to be draining ok. The sunroof drains are clear as well. I currently have the carpet out to dry it.

Do you have a quattro? I only have one single firewall drain hole, but that's beside the point.
Even though you didn't specify if it's hapenning (or happened) only when it rains/ed or else time, the fact that you park on an incline may be consistent with the air exchange flap letting water leak in.
You can surely seal it shut, although if the spring and the rubber strip are still good, you don't need to go to such extreme.
You can just make sure it is closed tight and disconnect the vacuum hose
If you need to do seal it, though, then I think you can use the AC Sealant Tape (for HVAC box) that you can find at Carquest.
-
You can just make sure it is closed tight and disconnect the vacuum hose
If you need to do seal it, though, then I think you can use the AC Sealant Tape (for HVAC box) that you can find at Carquest.
-
You can surely seal it shut, although if the spring and the rubber strip are still good, you don't need to go to such extreme.
You can just make sure it is closed tight and disconnect the vacuum hose
If you need to do seal it, though, then I think you can use the AC Sealant Tape (for HVAC box) that you can find at Carquest.
-

You can just make sure it is closed tight and disconnect the vacuum hose
If you need to do seal it, though, then I think you can use the AC Sealant Tape (for HVAC box) that you can find at Carquest.
-

Also I forgot to ask, but can wrap the ecu in any kind of waterproofing since I just replaced it and I don't want it to get wet again?
On the engine bay side.
If you remove the cowl, you should be able to locate it easily. Follow the hose and you'll find the connecting spot, although you'll have to remove the three-bolt cover on the evaporator box.
I removed the vacuum hose entirely and capped the feeding exit on the valve- see the pics.
-

-

-
And here you have a chance to see the vacuum hose:
-

-
I sincerely hope that the flap is your problem, or else you need to become a Watson.
-
P.S.
(didn't see your latest post)
I'd assume there's no harm in wrapping your ECU in some sort of waterproofing material or paste, if possible.
If you remove the cowl, you should be able to locate it easily. Follow the hose and you'll find the connecting spot, although you'll have to remove the three-bolt cover on the evaporator box.
I removed the vacuum hose entirely and capped the feeding exit on the valve- see the pics.
-

-

-
And here you have a chance to see the vacuum hose:
-

-
I sincerely hope that the flap is your problem, or else you need to become a Watson.
-
P.S.
(didn't see your latest post)
I'd assume there's no harm in wrapping your ECU in some sort of waterproofing material or paste, if possible.
Last edited by chefro; Feb 15, 2011 at 01:51 PM.
On the engine bay side.
If you remove the cowl, you should be able to locate it easily. Follow the hose and you'll find the connecting spot, although you'll have to remove the three-bolt cover on the evaporator box.
I removed the vacuum hose entirely and capped the feeding exit on the valve- see the pics.
-

-

-
And here you have a chance to see the vacuum hose:
-

-
I sincerely hope that the flap is your problem, or else you need to become a Watson.
-
P.S.
(didn't see your latest post)
I'd assume there's no harm in wrapping your ECU in some sort of waterproofing material or paste, if possible.
If you remove the cowl, you should be able to locate it easily. Follow the hose and you'll find the connecting spot, although you'll have to remove the three-bolt cover on the evaporator box.
I removed the vacuum hose entirely and capped the feeding exit on the valve- see the pics.
-

-

-
And here you have a chance to see the vacuum hose:
-

-
I sincerely hope that the flap is your problem, or else you need to become a Watson.
-
P.S.
(didn't see your latest post)
I'd assume there's no harm in wrapping your ECU in some sort of waterproofing material or paste, if possible.
so I got around to testing the fresh air vent and sure enough it was leaking. Pulled the vacuum line like you said and the hose over it again and still leaked. Picked up some silicon and sealed it and so far so good.parked it outside going to closely monitor it. Will up date with my results. Thank you so much for your help!!!
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2001, a6, audi, c5, compartment, condensate, drain, engine, evaporator, firewall, intrusion, locate, q7, quattro, water




