I researched this forum but never got a conclusive solution. The problems have been discussed but no clear answer. Hence I am posting these here to see if someone has definitive answers:

I have 1998 A6, 85K miles.

1. lately I am smelling engine fumes/fuel smell through the vents when I am stopped at a light.
History: during the past rains, my audi rear passenger footwell had water and I traced it to water flowing from the windshield into the pollen filter/plenum and inside the car. I put a pastic on top of the filter to avoid more water to come in but now I am finding that with or without the plastic, the fuel smell still occurs through the vent. Not sure if it is related.

2. Any good way to fix the water from getting into the pollen filter other than wrapping the pollen filter/plenum in plastic. Other have reported the same issue. The water creeps through the seal at the bottom of the windshield straight on to the plenum.

Please advise.