SOLVED: VW Passat Water In Footwells

[@alexfaulkner735]

Really helpful, thanks very much for this advice. I have both a problem with the battery compartment being flooded and the passenger footwell being permanently damp. I doubt I would have ever worked out the route cause of the problem without this video. Awesome, thanks so much.

[@peredstrom6849]

Very good. Second drainhole discovered. Thx from Sweden!

[@DeanBallDarlo]

I've had the same problem and used your video as a helpful guide to fixing it! Thanks!!

[@paulfrost3501]

Good video. I have a 2003 A6 Allroad, I had water coming into the rear passenger footwell. It was this main bung that was a bit clogged, but it was enough for the water to get in. I didn’t know about a second drain hole, so I’ll check that out. Think there are also drain holes under the ecu box on the left, ( uk drivers side ) & the pollen filter housing ( uk passenger side ) I think the positions of them are opposite for LHD cars.

[@bobsofia68]

Super helpful & informative video, my Passat & I thank you.

[@whitewatertv9573]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@repairsandmaintenanceaudia1025]

I saw a blog where the guy went through and extensive process to find the various possible leaks. One was the rubber gromet for the blower box is deteriorated so as water runs down the firewall it hits that gromet and runs inside the firewall and into the footwell. And I am 100% if you have a footwell leak you will have to pull up the carpet to get it to dry. I have a Volvo S60, there was a leak around the air intake. A seal went bad, the fix is to remove the plastic 4" ring around the HVAC intake, clean it up, put silicon on the mating area, clean out any leaves and debris and you are good. I figured the carpet would just dry out, a year later it still smelled, I pulled the carpet out, it was still wet under there. Pulled the entire passenger side carpet out to clean and let the area fully dry.

[@brucejules]

I had same problem Pushed those rubber seals out No need for them. No water comes up from road No problems now

[@thenickgilbert]

bruce kane the only thing the rubber seals do is stop the leaves going further down. Mind you, I'm pretty sure this was the first time in 12 years that anyone had done this on mine and I wouldn't expect it to still be on the road in another 12! So push those seals out and give zero f***s haha

[@malcolmgunn4424]

great advise did mine today pints of water out drain hole blocked.also taping up the runoff holes plastic section below whipers .thanks

[@jonward9171]

Just did mine. Just used long screw driver to clear it out without having to remove battery holder.

[@ledzepcleo]

Thanks helpful. I appreciate you saying what socket size it was. We had to clean this up before but we couldn't quite remember how we did. It's weird my 2001 Passat doesn't have a cover over the battery. Maybe it didn't come with one or it was taken off at some point.

[@thanis5228]

@WhiteWaterTV Wow you too still have the OEM Battery from the year 2003 in your Passat :) How did you manage to get the battery out? I have a hard time getting it out since there is barely any space.

[@whitewatertv9573]

Lol, yep, the previous owner just didn't really maintain the car. There is a battery clip on the bottom of the battery which can be removed with a long socket (13mm i think)

[@bobcats807]

Thank you, my Passat had two buckets worth of water held under the scuttle tray and it seems to have really fried my electrics.. wish I had seen your video earlier. I can only hope once everything dries it works again :(

[@rytisliaucys3444]

Mine had battery tray flood completely. Unclogged the drain, accelerator was gone. Left it in the sun and after days the issue resolved once it dried out xddddd

[@bobcats807]

@@rytisliaucys3444 yes mine has been scrapped now

[@rytisliaucys3444]

@@bobcats807 i sold mine as well. After a week, electronics started acting up too,. Central locking stopped working. What a shit design decision from WV

[@coltondiondion]

My passenger side front and back completely soaked. So I just check the batter compartment loke this video and it seemed dry but it hasn't rained in over a day. One drain hole was clear and the other one was completely gunked up, I'm really hoping cleaning that out stops this leak bc I just fixed it up to sell 🙏

[@NML666]

Cheers for this, just unblocked mine.

[@whitewatertv9573]

NML1986 great!

[@nvalentine]

Great video. Thank you!

[@thenickgilbert]

Nick Valentine you're welcome!

[@NathanNobis101]

I think I had this problem and the water (the floor behind the driver's seat was flooded) led to the electrical system getting all screwed up: the lights turn on when they shouldn't, turn signals don't work, etc. Any ideas how to address that? I keep trying to dry it out. Would checking the fuses likely be enough, or will I need to take it somewhere?

[@dardangraceni]

Behind driver seat is electronic control unit you ned to change because now is demaged.

[@NathanNobis101]

@@dardangraceni Any idea what that exactly is? I am now unsure whether water got in through this way OR if it was through a leak in the sunroof. Any idea how I could tell?

[@NathanNobis101]

@@dardangraceni Any information on what exactly this is and how to change it?

[@dardangraceni]

@@NathanNobis101 the end of the driver's seat should remove the carpet and there is an electronic device that is now filled with water and is damaged so you need to replace it.

[@NathanNobis101]

@@dardangraceni behind it, or in front of it?

[@davormiklauzic920]

hi i have a same problem with my 2006 passat is it the same procedure to fix it like in this video???much thanks for quick answer

[@whitewatertv9573]

If it is the Mk5.5 passat then it should be the same thing. I am not sure about later models.

[@Boeing767DriverAA]

I have a 2005 Passat ... Im getting conflicting stories from my mechanic and the dealer my mechanic says only a dealer can change the ccm becuause it has to be programmed by the dealer. a ccm costs new $400 and another $400 to install a new one and program it..... anyone know if this is true? ....what was your solution Davor ????

[@chris91822]

I have the same problem with my B5 Passat along with many others. Vw's are such pieces of crap. Thanks for the video though.

[@thenickgilbert]

No worries. Glad it helped! My Passats have been great, this one was just kept outside by the previous owner and under maintained. Underneath was solid.

[@TheSideLineLinemen]

I have one this happened but I guess it’s part of maintenance...

[@Bluegrassriver8]

VW's don't make it rain, it's not their fault

[@alextorkelson6261]

My issue wound up being the seal around the rear window regulators. You could clearly see the trail from where the water flowed from the bottom of the regulator. Re-seal, and problem solved.

[@snoopy5736]

Alex Torkelson I have a leak coming in from under the rear passenger door where the door meets the door jamb. can't figure it out. how would I get to the regulator

[@ktys206]

What year of passat is this thanks

[@thenickgilbert]

It was a 2003 Mk5.5

[@ktys206]

@@thenickgilbert thanks mate. Iv got a 210 plate passat and water is get in some where on the passenger foot well. Only happened if it's been raining outside and. I sprayed water down the side skirt and it trickles in but if I drive through a puddle the next day its soaking. Would you happen to know if theres a plug or anything like that there any any reason water would be getting in?

[@ktys206]

@@thenickgilbert ye mate it's in the garage on Thursday as I don't have the right tools to take the seat out. Was between being blocked or there is rust and it's made a hole 🕳

[@billyrodriguez42]

Hi there great video, I have golf mk7 and my passenger side footwell is constantly getting soaked but i live in Spain so as you can guess rain is at a minimum... Could it be anything to do with the aircon as Ive only noticed it recently... Cheers, Billy.

[@whitewatertv9573]

Hi Billy, it could be the same issue. If it is kept outside and leaves are likely have got in. I would have thought that a Mk7 Golf could just go back under warranty though...

[@billyrodriguez42]

Sorted it buddy, aparently its a common fault on the golf 7 it's little tube from aircon unit that can come loose...

[@23hublock1]

Left hand drive car?

[@stellaartois303]

My golf vr6 has a beast leak on passenger frontside footwell. Is this the same?

[@B4TM4N__]

Hi, i have a 2002 passat and the passenger footwells get wet when i turn on the ac. do you know what it could be?

[@thenickgilbert]

Roberto Guerra Hi Roberto, I would have a look to see if there is water in this bulkhead like in the video, or in the battery box, or anywhere else.

[@alxbengosu]

There is a hose that is supposed to get rid of AC condensated water. If the hose gets clogged, it will spill into the car. The hose is on the front passenger side footwell

[@pauljames4858]

not always this, mine still a problem, water goes into air intake somewhere around or through the pollen filter!!, so mad that they didn't foresee this and make the air inlet point downward, simple!!, thousands of these otherwise perfect cars have been killed off by this problem..

[@thenickgilbert]

Yes, it is a shame. They are great cars. Reliable and strong. The main problem with the issue is that it takes a while to work out that there is an issue. Typically I never/rarely touch the carpets in my cars, so you only notice there is a problem when a puddle appears and it is too late.

[@pauljames4858]

one thing i find astounding, the oblong holes in the under window trim are directly above the pollen filter!!i know that the water is supposed to go to the edges, but in heavy rain, car on a hill and or with windscreen wipers left pointing up, water must , even when car was new, run straight through them onto filter and into car?? i have just taped the ones above filter with waterproof tape...

[@SoddingaboutSi]

I hade the same problem. Water seems to leak around the pollen filter housing to car body gasket. Seal it with sealant and it seems to have stopped. I also removed the rubber bungs and cut off the rubber petals that trap debris. Another problem area may also be the drivers side ECU gasket although mine seems ok.

[@matthewtownsend5053]

These cars are far from perfect!! This is just one of the many disasters plagued by German Engineering!!!

[@joansafford8922]

This solved an alarming problem. Has anyone else been frustrated by the Passat draining issues and accumulations of sludge elsewhere, for instance the trunk side channels? I like this car, but....

[@repairsandmaintenanceaudia1025]

I just cleaned those out. (2005 Passat TDI). Not sure why get so dirty. Get a small old toothbrush, some dishsoap, the dawn with a sprayer worked. You don't need to use much. Get all the leaves and sticks out. A pick took is helpful or thin screwdriver. I just used a bucket of water and small plastic cup. Wet it all down, let it sit for a minute. Wet the area at the bottom of the back window. Spay some soap on the area, lightly work it in with the brush, don't forget the trough on back window. Let is soak for 2 minutes. Rinse and repeat. And I found the hinges needed some lubricant. I use WD40 silicone.

[@KBrizzi92]

What are the silver pipes on the left side of the battery? I’ve noticed one of mine (same engine) is missing completely. Don’t know if it’s important

[@xcake2652]

If you haven't got it yet, it is for air conditioning

[@joanneferndale101]

FaaaantASTIC!!! THANK YOU

[@terencejay8845]

My foot-well was soaked after I took out the pollen filter and didn't replace the cover, so any rain wasn't deflected but just dripped off the windscreen right into the passenger foot-well. I also had the battery bulkhead compartment fill right to the top, like a swimming pool, just because of this debris blocking the drain-hole, as per the video. Poor design.

[@adamsilver4568]

The rear parcel shelf on my passat is building mold due to constant water dripping on it. Theres water on the floor on the rear driver side. Water even collects inside the rear bonnet door. When you lift, you can see water trickling down. Any suggestions?

[@GREEVES246]

i did the door seal pannel and remote moved the comfort unit under the glove box now

[@e.m.k.jr.1167]

there is another drain under the master cylinder. make sure you clean them both.

[@JalandharShere]

Hi, Ive only a wet footwell once, after I went through a carwash. But I dont normally get it. even after heavy rain I never get a damp footwell. But I always wondered how water managed to get into my car. would it just be just a oneoff? I drive a 2012 Audi A5.

[@hermonbasil9263]

did the water leak stop after you cleaned the battery area ?? i am guessing you have "water ingress" problem in your car and the water runs down deep into your passenger footwell. are all of your electronics working inside your car ??

[@thenickgilbert]

Hi Hermon, yes, all working fine and the water leak stopped completely. It's a ball ache to fix and a stupid design but saves things like the CCM.

[@hermonbasil9263]

you are so lucky ...none of my interior lights work ..... i suspect corroded wires under the passenger side.

[@thenickgilbert]

Yes, I think I caught it just in time.

[@Cnuchell1011]

SAME HERE

[@rufusrunsgsp4610]

2016, now 2019, I had a wet floor, 2003 Passat, driver side or left side rear, to you pond jumpers. I got out my 13mm, 10mm wrenches only to uncover and find another had removed the 2 drain boots. So things looked pretty clean. But I would have to say for the most part other areas of the carpet were seemingly dryish. Rain and snow tracking in is a distraction, so who knows.. But behind my driver's seat, there is a water issue. I also had some recent antifreeze burping if you will. I had to change the water pump recently. All went well, but 1 week later, and a cold day, I ran the heater once and a bit after it called for about a pint of antifreeze. So not to lure away or confuse but, I have this wet back seat floor for sure. I checked my passenger rear door for leaks and found nothing. Sooo I am wondering if anyone out there has had this same trouble, and is it coming out of the floor vent/ heat duct?? The other side is dry so it appears to be only one side. Is rain getting to my a/c, heating system and the easiest flow out is the one duct under my driver's seat? This is soooo frustratiog.. Help if you know the solution... Thank You.

[@MrJoshcontreras]

I wish there were some replies. I have same problem.

[@pauliekruger7639]

@@MrJoshcontreras so, my problem was another vw flaw.. the door leaks in and on to the floor. It's to do with the seal and glass and where it should drain out. I took duck tape and taped the whole bottom length. And yes mine dried up. There is some thin weather stripping inside the door panel that gets damaged.

[@MrJoshcontreras]

That's interesting. That was inside the driver side rear door correct? I'll have to open it up and check it out. Where is that seal you are referring too?

[@pauliekruger7639]

@@MrJoshcontreras yes, and I'm not sure. I haven't tackled that job yet. My black duck tape has it sealed for now. But the door interior panel has this seal. If I do the job soon I'll let you know..

[@lando3440]

It worked you saved me huge I owe you !!!! Love my vw

[@francoisvda456]

Hello, is there any other water hole behind the windshield in the right? I have water under my electronic box and its dry in the battery area...

[@macky2701]

check your pollen filter, open the ecu box and replace the ecu gasket, make sure your bonnet release cable grommet is in good condition. Mine, ive just applied water sealant around the grommet and it works.

[@francoisvda456]

OK thanks for your answer :) i'll check it

[@Happy-Me.]

As part of the service VW would put the car on a ramp and poke the holes to clear them from underneath.

[@ДобромирЦонев-н2ы]

Много полезно-Благодаря.

[@samueljtonkin]

I have the same problem on a caddy 2006, i wonder if this is the same fault as the passat? does anyone know?

[@samueljtonkin]

also the water in my footwell is on the drivers side.

[@1stepbigger634]

Had the same problem a few times on my vw passat 2002, on mine one hole is under the battery tray the other one is under the brake servo. Another thing you can do is remove the four rubber grommets underneath the floor of the car so if the water does come in to the car due to the holes beaning blocked the water will drain straight out and does not hold in the foot wells, just avoid driving through any deep water has the water might come up. The first time i had this issue back in 2006 the ECU unit got water into it and i had to replace it, but since then by taken the grommets out when the car lets in water it drains straight out through the floor and i know then that it is blocked again and have to clear it out again . Apart from this problem and the door locks this is a great car, i have now had this car for 11 years but i wish i had kept my MK2 Ford Granada 2.8 Ghia x

[@GREEVES246]

I TOOK THE BUNG RIGHT OUT

[@23hublock1]

So did I....back in 2006. Still got the car, brilliant car - it does like a CV boot though lol

[@40pike96]

Vw Passat = Audi A6! It looks just the same. Same problem too.

[@whitewatertv9573]

Happy that it helped!

[@Bostonclassics1]

What year Passat?

[@thenickgilbert]

This was a 2004. The model went from 2002-2006 I think. This was the 1.9tdi 130bhp. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/VW_Passat_Variant_Typ_B5GP_Pic01.jpg

[@SaNdMaN3000]

another problem ..(wich i have) is on the door seals ..right at the window ..waters goese in the door ..and the debit of the water is bigger than the drains can handle ..so water comes right from under the speaker box into the car ..lucky is summer now and ill be able to fix this shit soon

[@snoopy5736]

boxajr rear passenger door is leaking on me

[@SaNdMaN3000]

try opening it and having someone pour water on the window from the outside ..the door should have some drain holes to let the water out of the car ..if those are blocked the water will get into the car

[@alxbengosu]

My 2010 Passat CC leaks. VW doesn't ever fixed their design, makes same mistakes over the generations.

[@vanguardsr368]

I found mine to be 4 inches deep haha

[@GREEVES246]

I HAVE WATER IN REAR FOOT WELL ? ANYONE I REMOVED THE RUBBER BUNG IN THE BULKHEAD BUT STILL SEEM TO HAVE WATER INGRESS

[@miloradmedunic6202]

remove the rubber nipples in passenger and driver door hinges.

[@alxbengosu]

water moves from the front to the back. both my front and rear passenger side were soaked

[@Cnuchell1011]

great car....but dumbest design ever.... why would you have water run anywhere near a battery let alone near the cabin filter of the car!?

[@whitewatertv9573]

Yes great cars. It is nice that the ones you tend to see on the road now are really nicely maintained. I agree, it is a pretty stupid design, although as the manufacturer it is probably hard to imagine what might happen 12 years down the line. The car was poorly maintained when I bought it and had spent it's life outside so not surprising that it was a bit bunged up.

[@Cnuchell1011]

Was the same for mine. It was poorly maintained exterior/cosmetic wise. The engine is strong and was maintained through its life. 217k miles on it, original engine, trans, clutch. But yeah ran into a lot of "rigged" things in the interior and exterior. The people I bought it from were a bunch of hacks and obviously would refuse to buy even the cheapest of parts...

[@Cnuchell1011]

It's funny too because these same people would swear by "German engineering this and that" blah blah (I'm sure you've heard it elsewhere) but yet they would half ass things to just get them to work and that was it.

[@whitewatertv9573]

Yes, the previous owner of this one just gave it oil changes, but I knew it was solid underneath. I bought it knowing that it needed some things doing to it but that they were relatively easy fixes. Sold it for same price as I paid for it including maintenance, and having done 50k miles in it. Useful, good car.

[@aelc4tdim858]

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[@Reak-bc1zs]

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