GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: SamWiseG on 15 October 2013, 14:00
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Hi all,
Bought my first VW over the summer and was very happy with it until now!
Its a 3 door MKIII Golf GTi.
With the colder weather setting in, there's been bucket loads of condensation on the inside of the windscreen in the mornings, we're not talking a little mist here, I mean it actually looks as if its been raining inside the car. I knew there was a leak somewhere when noticed a few spots of mould on the roof lining when I bought the car, but was happy I could handle it. I didn't realise the condensation would be as bad as it is!
I don't know where to start in finding where the moisture is coming in, so in your guys' experience what's the most likely culprit? There's a bit of rust on the leading edge of the roof (where it meets the windscreen), could it be that? Or is it more likely to be some perishing seal?
Thanks in advance!
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Have a thorough check of all your carpets, door seals, sunroof drainage holes, boot then report back.
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I would also check your pollen / cabin filter.
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Ok, thanks guys. Will have a look tomorrow and let you know
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Severe condensation is usually caused by soaking carpet underlay so its likely its all going to need to come out and dryed off. Like said pollen filter is a common issue. Cracked scuttle trim can send water down there. Also rusty floor pan grommets scoop up water which I would say is the most probable cause. Carpets out time anyway me thinks and the get a hose over it.
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Look between your dash ends and a pillars with a torch ,if there is brown water stains then its your rust above the screen or even the screen seal has been breached probably down to corrosion ,I had this and as a temp fix ran a bead of silicone along the top of the screen. As said you need to remove your carpets and sound proofing as these will be soaked
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if you are losing any coolant it could be that the heater matrix is leaking.Could also be that the drainage channels on either side under the scuttle panel are both blocked or partially blocked causing any water to drain slowly,back up,rot the area.If it's an 8v it may also be that the clutch cable rubber grommet under the scuttle has perished or popped out.
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check your rear light seals as mine was leaking from there and the water made it all the way down to the front
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interim fix - leave a tray of cat litter in the car - that will soak up some of the moisture :)
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If you headlining is showing signs of water damage as you say I presume you have the roof mounted aerial and need to check the seal around this. Thats a common way for headlining damage as is the sunroof drainage holes if you have a sunroof
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Bad news... :cry:
After following the advice, I checked the pollen filter and found nothing untoward. Then I turned my attention to the carpets. I took the front seats out and lifted the carpet, and was met by this heart sinking sight...
Passenger side
(http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx160/samsamsam7/IMG_2035.jpg) (http://s751.photobucket.com/user/samsamsam7/media/IMG_2035.jpg.html)
AND worse...
Drivers side
(http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx160/samsamsam7/IMG_2039.jpg) (http://s751.photobucket.com/user/samsamsam7/media/IMG_2039.jpg.html)
Fair to say I think I've found the source of the moisture getting in! Anyone know of any good but reasonably priced welders in the Somerset area? :angry:
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I still think you have a major leak somewhere else, those floorpans look like they have rusted due to the water sitting on them.
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As Wayne said, maybe remove or secure the carpet up and jet wash the vehicle gently to mimick rain and see if water re-enters the car.
It could simply be your underbody grommets have corroded, looks like that on one picture but on the other it does seem like water has settled there.
Personally, I'd take off your sill covers if you have them and check whether the sills are ok or not. Then make a decision whether you want to spend the money on welding?
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Boot seals, tail lights, sunroof all leave water in the rear wells when they leak bad enough.
If your jacking points are fcked or you have rotten sills then you need to think about welding/scrapping
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It looks like its been welded before from underneath but without cutting rot out.
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yeah you can see a weld line ahead of the holes. looks like its going along the inside of the sills to. think a good check with a hammer is in order. there is nothing worse than starting to weld a car only to find more and more rot. find it all first then decide if its worth the effort/money to repair it.
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I've seen a lot worse floors than that in my time (40 years of aircooled VWs) and as others have said, that looks very much like the result of a leak somewhere else rather than the cause of your problems.
Welding a floor isn't hard, so maybe it's worth you looking at buying a MIG welder and patching that yourself - if it was me, I'd weld the drain holes closed as well (if you are welding from the inside, make sure you use some form of heatshield on any pipes underneath the area you are working)
I'd also take a look at the sills - if you can lack the car using the jacking points they are probably (please note I said 'probably') OK but they are worth inspecting/repairing and sealing. They are not as easy to repair as a floor but as long as there is some decent metal to weld to, plating them isn't that bad.
Buying a welder and learning how to use it can save you a lot of money - my (budget) MIG cost me £200 five years ago - it paid for itself the first day when we used it to get my other half's old W123 Merc through it's MoT :)