Interior Water leak???

**theboogieman1** · 12-22-2008 03:03 AM

So I noticed that I have water leaking inside the car and not exactly sure where it is coming from. I was hoping someone else has had this problem. It's leaking about 2 inches from the top of the windshield on the driverside a pillar. I was driving and kept thinking I was seeing water drops and eventually saw one drop. I tried to feel if it was wet all the way to the top but it wasn't, only from about 2 inches down and a 3 inch portion below that. I do have water marks on the A pillar now as well. Any idea if this could just be the windsheild that needs to be replaced or is it something with the sunroof? Any help would be great, cause it looks like the rain isn't going to stop for a while.

**theboogieman1** · 12-22-2008 03:08 AM

I just went out to check to see if my car was soaking wet after sitting in the rain all day and everything now feels dry. I'm wondering if it's only when I have my wipers on and it pushes the water in through a bad windshield seal or something. Any thoughts?

**RolledMySTi** · 12-22-2008 08:58 AM

I would suspect the sunroof before the windshield. Try taking off the head liner and seeing what it looks like in there.

**S4 Dan** · 12-22-2008 10:23 AM

the drains for the sunroof are known to drain in the car... you can go to autozone/advance auto parts, ect.. and go to the help section... but some sort of throttle cable, or something of that sort, and use that as a pipe cleaner... there are 4 drains, one in each corner... that should take care of your problem

**tike0rz** · 12-22-2008 10:30 AM

Mine used to do the same exact thing. I came out one time and found an inch of rainwater in the backseat floor. I later found out it was the boost gauge hose through the firewall that was leaking. I gooped it up with silicone sealant and that stopped the leak.

**theboogieman1** · 12-22-2008 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by S4 Dan

the drains for the sunroof are known to drain in the car... you can go to autozone/advance auto parts, ect.. and go to the help section... but some sort of throttle cable, or something of that sort, and use that as a pipe cleaner... there are 4 drains, one in each corner... that should take care of your problem

I already have a throttle cable laying around just for this purpose. Do you know if there are any pics of where the drains are? I don't have a clue as to where to start cleaning it out.

**S4 Dan** · 12-23-2008 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by theboogieman1

I already have a throttle cable laying around just for this purpose. Do you know if there are any pics of where the drains are? I don't have a clue as to where to start cleaning it out.

not sure if there are any pics posted... it should be in each corner of the sunroof... id go take pics, but its too dark out there where my car is parked.. take a look IIRC, you can see them when you look into the lip

**AMC** · 12-23-2008 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by theboogieman1

I already have a throttle cable laying around just for this purpose. Do you know if there are any pics of where the drains are? I don't have a clue as to where to start cleaning it out.

theres a couple of ways to do this. you would have to take out the rear bumper and the hoses are along the sides (write up on AW)

i found out that u can just take off the cover for the 6 cd changer and pull out the hose form there and stick the throttle cable threw there and pull the carpet on the other side and the hose should be right there. that would help if you if you wouldnt want to pull your bumper off

**theboogieman1** · 12-23-2008 10:22 AM

great, thanks guys! I'll look up the DIY on AW and look around so I don't have to take the bumper off. I was noticing yesterday that with my sunroof on tilt it seems to have a bit of play when going over bumps. I can hear a little bit of moving like it's not sealed right or something. Maybe this could be it as well.

**S4 Dan** · 12-23-2008 10:27 AM

good luck

dont think you'll have to do anything with the rear bumper anyway... from what it sounds like the front drains are clogged...

**Cyrix9445** · 12-23-2008 11:50 AM

Heres the procedure from alldata (for B6, but might be the same for B5):

Cleaning Water Drain Hoses

NOTE: For cleaning, it is recommended that you create your own assisting tool out of a speedometer inner cable, approx. 2300 mm (90.5 in.) long.

1 - Front water drain hose

Front water drain hoses - 1 - are routed in A-pillar and end between door and A-pillar. Cleaning is performed at cut out for sunroof.
2 - Rear water drain hose

Rear water drain hoses - 2 - are routed in C-pillars and end at sides behind bumper cover. Cleaning is performed from lower hose end. To do this, bumper cover must be removed.

**theboogieman1** · 12-23-2008 11:56 AM

Sweet! I'll see how accurate these are on the B5. Hoping to try it out today, all depends on work. Thanks!

**theboogieman1** · 12-30-2008 06:40 PM

So after going out of town in the rain I found that the leak was a lot worse when driving. I started to think that it was my windshield that was leaking. I got even more confirmation on this on the ride home, I was noticing a lot more wind noise coming from the driverside than the other. That brings me to today, I ended up getting my windshield replaced cause I had a lot of chips and a big crack. The guy who replaced it said it was my windshield that was leaking really bad. I guess the primer on the windshield was bad and water was getting in easy.

So I'm hoping this is the only place it was leaking, just wanted to give an update incase someone else is having the same issue.