Drain holes under elevating roof - location?

[ArunAlec]

Just got a borescope for my phone so thought I'd try to get a picture inside the roof of the front drain tube with all the bends to show why it's so hard to clean. Air pressure or water in a syringe and the safest ways

View attachment 67640

I think syringe in “suck mode“ before applying any pressure is the safest option, .....very useful photo

 

[Dan Whitehouse]

Hi there. We have a 2014 California which seems to have a damp patch in the driver's footwell, near the wheel arch which is causing condensation.... passenger side is fine. Is anyone able to advise whether there is a drain pipe in both sides of the van? Apologies if this is a silly question but I'm not sure if there is one in both sides, or just the passenger side. Many thanks, Dan

 

[westfalia]

Hi there. We have a 2014 California which seems to have a damp patch in the driver's footwell, near the wheel arch which is causing condensation.... passenger side is fine. Is anyone able to advise whether there is a drain pipe in both sides of the van? Apologies if this is a silly question but I'm not sure if there is one in both sides, or just the passenger side. Many thanks, Dan

Yes, there is one on each side.

 

[sbmcd]

Do a search on this site, lots of information available.

 

[KGCali]

Hi there. We have a 2014 California which seems to have a damp patch in the driver's footwell, near the wheel arch which is causing condensation.... passenger side is fine. Is anyone able to advise whether there is a drain pipe in both sides of the van? Apologies if this is a silly question but I'm not sure if there is one in both sides, or just the passenger side. Many thanks, Dan

There are drain holes that can be cleaned with compressed air or a syringe of water NOT a nail!
Post in thread 'Cali technical tips&tricks' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-technical-tips-tricks.9457/post-87358

 

[Dan Whitehouse]

There are drain holes that can be cleaned with compressed air or a syringe of water NOT a nail!
Post in thread 'Cali technical tips&tricks' https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-technical-tips-tricks.9457/post-87358

Thanks very much for sharing the article, appreciated - Dan

 

[KGCali]

Thanks very much for sharing the article, appreciated - Dan

If you still have a leak after clearing the drain holes so you see water escaping over the front wheel then check the sealant around the roof cowl for cracks, if the cowl has been replaced due to corrosion. If the sealant is cracked VW should repair it for free.

 

[briwy]

If you still have a leak after clearing the drain holes so you see water escaping over the front wheel then check the sealant around the roof cowl for cracks, if the cowl has been replaced due to corrosion. If the sealant is cracked VW should repair it for free.
View attachment 72360

If you have cracks there do it yourself. Our van has been in four times now to have the roof sorted. Last time was now a year ago and the seals have cracked again. Dug some of the old seal out and applied some Sikaflex. If you ask VW to do it you will probably be waiting weeks or months and end up with water inside.
BTW. If you should be unfortunate enough to have the rubber tube disconnect from the white plastic 90 degree bend you will have to partially remove the cab roof trim to get at it. Complete design balls up IMO.

 

[Dan Whitehouse]

Thanks for all the above. As my water problem seems to be in location down by the driver's right foot (with no signs of water ingress anywhere else) would this suggest that the problem is most likely to be due to the drain pipe exit connector becoming detached behind the trim in the footwell, rather than a blocked water drain at the top of the van?

I will try carefully cleaning the drain hole using the syringe method see if this makes a difference to start off with. I can see that there is quite a bit of standing water in the roof gulley when I open the roof, which might suggest it's having trouble draining away (almost too ashamed to share this filthy looking pic on this group!).

Grateful for any thoughts. I don't feel confident in taking out the carpet etc. so just trying to build up the mostly likely explanation in case I end up having to go to my local (very good) VW specialist.

 

[KGCali]

Is your headlining above the driver's door damp at all? When my front roof cowl sealant split it allowed water into the headlining and down the front pillar onto the floor.
Clean the roof drains and check water escapes over front wheels, not inside the front pillar onto the floor, if it does then the drain pipe has detached.

 

[Dan Whitehouse]

Is your headlining above the driver's door damp at all? When my front roof cowl sealant split it allowed water into the headlining and down the front pillar onto the floor.
Clean the roof drains and check water escapes over front wheels, not inside the front pillar onto the floor, if it does then the drain pipe has detached.

Thanks for the detailed advice. Headlining seems fine and roof cowl looks OK. I will clean the drains and take it from there. Appreciate all the info from this group. Dan

 

[steve_b]

Thanks for the detailed advice. Headlining seems fine and roof cowl looks OK. I will clean the drains and take it from there. Appreciate all the info from this group. Dan

On the passenger side you can get visual on the offending article by removing 3 screws and the lower panel below the glove box. I don't know what panels there are above the pedals but you might be able to see it just by the simple fact of inserting yourself backwards and upside down into the footwell.

 

[KGCali]

How to remove lower dash panels ...

 

[Dan Whitehouse]

How to remove lower dash panels ...

Super helpful. ThankU.

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

Noticed some water pooling on the front left today. No debris around the drain hole but gave it a blow through with an airline and it cleared so i could hear air hissing out in the engine bay.
My vans only10 months old and I think my drain was probably blocked from new!
Worth a check guys.

 

[briwy]

Be careful with an airline. You can blow the plastic bend off the tube.

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

Be careful with an airline. You can blow the plastic bend off the tube.

Thanks, i was aware this was posible but i wasnt getting anywhere with a zip tie poked down the hole.
I have water running out from under the the van so all good,

 

[KGCali]

Too many bends in there for poking anything down the front roof drain holes, better to use a syringe of warm water to flush any debris out.

 

[briwy]

Stupid design. Who the hell diverts water from outside the van to the inside??

 

[KGCali]

Stupid design. Who the hell diverts water from outside the van to the inside??

And puts a joint half way down the internal drain pipe that easily pops off!

 

[starbug]

And puts a joint half way down the internal drain pipe that easily pops off!

View attachment 84274

hi, i have a 6.1 and i have been getting condensation on front windscreen when on our driveway. so im not sure if i have a leak or its just down to cold damp weather ? or am i getting paranoid .

 

[ArunAlec]

hi, i have a 6.1 and i have been getting condensation on front windscreen when on our driveway. so im not sure if i have a leak or its just down to cold damp weather ? or am i getting paranoid .

This time of year probably the weather, unless it’s more than just a light film of moisture . I leave a dehumidifier running in the van while it’s parked and collect quite a lot of water, so unless you have any other signs of a leak I wouldn’t worry.

 

[KGCali]

hi, i have a 6.1 and i have been getting condensation on front windscreen when on our driveway. so im not sure if i have a leak or its just down to cold damp weather ? or am i getting paranoid .

Probably just the cold weather but if you get a pool of water on the dash dry it off, put a few paper towels in that area, use a hose to spray water on the roof and screen for a few minutes, then check if the paper is wet.
If it's just a light film on the windscreen you would try more ventilation in the van or try a 1kg Silica Gel dehumidifier bag on the dash.

 

[starbug]

This time of year probably the weather, unless it’s more than just a light film of moisture . I leave a dehumidifier running in the van while it’s parked and collect quite a lot of water, so unless you have any other signs of a leak I wouldn’t worry.

ok thanks

 

[starbug]

Probably just the cold weather but if you get a pool of water on the dash dry it off, put a few paper towels in that area, use a hose to spray water on the roof and screen for a few minutes, then check if the paper is wet.
If it's just a light film on the windscreen you would try more ventilation in the van or try a 1kg Silica Gel dehumidifier bag on the dash.

its just been a light film at botton of windscreen. ill check it when it rains next. won't have to wait long lol.