GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: greencode on 17 July 2023, 14:32
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I have a horrible damp smell from the car interior. I have a feeling it's probably the water that managed to get into the rear footwell due to that annoying speaker seal issue. I have already tried; Removing the mats to rule those out, run a dehumidifier for 48 hours to remove all water in the car but still the smell is there.
Is there anything else I can try/use to eliminate the smell or is likely to have to have gone too far and I need to completely replace the carpet?
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Have you checked underneath the spare wheel for water due to broken drain hose from tailgate handle?
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Have you checked underneath the spare wheel for water due to broken drain hose from tailgate handle?
Hi. Yeah, I had that issue quite a while back and replaced that drain hose so it’s not that.
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Are you sure it isn't the Air con needing Sanitising as they can stink. A Air Con Bomb would clear it if it is that.
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Are you sure it isn't the Air con needing Sanitising as they can stink. A Air Con Bomb would clear it if it is that.
I thought that would only smell when I started the AC up? AC is on pretty much all of the time so it could probably do with a freshen up, regardless.
Are those the things you put your AC on full and press the can and leave it to run with the windows/doors closed?
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Isn't there a AC drain hose that runs at the front of the transmission tunnel, accessible under plastic shroud in front of gear stick? I think this can block (drains under car) and can back up with condensate.
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Isn't there a AC drain hose that runs at the front of the transmission tunnel, accessible under plastic shroud in front of gear stick? I think this can block (drains under car) and can back up with condensate.
Not too sure. I've just bought some Holts Air Car sanitizer so I'll do that later on and see whether that cures the problem. If not, I'll have a look at the drain hose at the weekend.
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https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/ac-evaporator-drain-tube.333051/
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https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/ac-evaporator-drain-tube.333051/
Thanks for this.
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There's also water ingress from the rear wiper seal, boot lid wires, stoplights and boot vents.
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There's also water ingress from the rear wiper seal, boot lid wires, stoplights and boot vents.
Lots of potential water ingress points on the mk7 / mk7.5 Golf have been mentioned on various forums over the years;
Already mentioned in this discussion thread;
- Leaking rear door speaker seals.
- Perished grommet on the bottom of the tailgate drain tube
- A/C drain tube draining into car interior.
- Rear wiper seal
- Poor seal between entry / exit points of wiring loom (protected by rubber sleeving) above the hatch opening and into the tailgate.
- Damaged / perished rear light cluster seals.
- Poor seal around air pressure equalisation vents behind the rear bumper.
Other possible causes of water ingress;
- Blocked / waterlogged pollen filter.
- Cars with sunroof; blocked sunroof drain tubes.
- Deformed or damaged door / window seals.
- Poor seal between tailgate hinges and hinge mounting points above tailgate / hatch opening.
- Damaged / perished seal between roof mounted aerial and roof panel.
- If windscreen has been replaced, bonding adhesive between screen and bodywork poorly applied.
@greencode; was the previous water ingress problem fixed or is this still an issue? You’ve mentioned removing the mats (as opposed to the carpet?). If your rear speaker seals had failed, then not only can the carpet become water saturated, the sound deadening material under the carpet can also become waterlogged and retain water even after attempts have been made to dry out the carpets in situ in the car. Waterlogged sound deadening material could be the source of your damp smell.
If the air con sanitiser bomb doesn’t remove the smell, then I’d check the pollen filter next - replacing it (if it’s waterlogged) would be inexpensive to do.
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@greencode; was the previous water ingress problem fixed or is this still an issue? You’ve mentioned removing the mats (as opposed to the carpet?). If your rear speaker seals had failed, then not only can the carpet become water saturated, the sound deadening material under the carpet can also become waterlogged and retain water even after attempts have been made to dry out the carpets in situ in the car. Waterlogged sound deadening material could be the source of your damp smell.
If the air con sanitiser bomb doesn’t remove the smell, then I’d check the pollen filter next - replacing it (if it’s waterlogged) would be inexpensive to do.
Apologies for not replying sooner. I was doing a little testing before replying.
- I used the bomb and whilst that made it smell nice for a few weeks with a chemically/perfumy smell, unfortunately the smell has returned - so that was simply masking the original smell.
- I had a look at the pollen filter (that's the one behind the glove box - right? If so, I did and that was in very good condition with no smells.
- Also whilst the AC was running - when I activated the bomb - I noticed water below the car, which I think indicates that the AC outlets are not clogged and water is running out of the car okay.
- I've checked all around the car for any additional damp areas and leaking issues. The only ones I had originally were the tailgate drainage hose - which I replaced a while back and the rear speakers - passenger side was worse, but I replaced the sealant on both and there's been no water getting in since.
I've also tried to have a good close up smell of the fixed carpets - not checked everywhere as I need space to get down very close to the floor - but I did notice the smell was coming from the rear passenger footwell so I can only presume that's the issue.
So, with that in mind, is there anything I can do to remove the smell or am I looking at having to replace the entire carpet :cry:
Any further ideas or thoughts, much appreciated.
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Right, I'm beginning to think I may have to replace the carpet and insulation as I can't live with this smell! I tried a combination of 80/20 vinegar/water and brushed that in and left to dry. Okay for a week but the mildew smell has returned.
What I also need to do is see why water is still somehow coming in and sitting on the sill (not going over the plastic into the carpet any more). I've taken the door cards off again and put more sealant around the speakers but it's coming in somewhere else.
I love my R but this is doing my head in!!!
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You should try an Ozone treatment, much more powerful than vinegar, odour bombs etc. Might get lucky and have a detailer offer it locally with a more powerful machine, but alternative you can get this one or there's cheaper options as well. Ozone is dangerous use it responsibly and as per the instructions, double or triple wait times prior to use of the vehicle.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125016722596?epid=4052018303&hash=item1d1b93cca4:g:HrwAAOSw5DNjalFy&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAsGoOM%2BtFgAI5%2B9iY%2Ba2xJdNK1ROvmSZIsYkDqSlULaIykkvPV6yDoM7EI2QhoC1QlXoonkUobTsJ0cNNOI2DP4Om%2B4j8%2FvJNEWQ5ZYeR7%2FYoaCH%2BufYrqFoEbdgf2kH8NeGeQmTjOgVCj%2F5bdKZp9QevjiSV5ozG11T6znTavD9d6Nu3tt6zSxW2nziNcSaf%2BQj7%2FPEmovOe5fJ1sbhml4KaMuXLhOLllXSmfhIXC4Qz%7Ctkp%3ABlBMUJ76l7PCYg
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Thanks for this. Actually lifted up the rewards carpet earlier and the underlay is soaking on the rear passenger side! I’m really confused where the water is coming in from. I completely sealed the speakers last weekend but there’s still water on the sills.
I’ve gone ahead and purchased a new (used) carpet and underlay but need to get the water issue resolved before I go for the scary task of ripping out the interior!!
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Just in case you've not read this thread: https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/36462-replacement-carpets-and-underlay/page/2/
As with all these things Google and YouTube are your friend.
Hope it goes OK.
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And some videos to remove the centre console: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=golf+mk7+remove+centre+consle&sca_esv=558805880&sxsrf=AB5stBi6yvPrNjJSTTrks7-7YV_IXRrPOw%3A1692645003878&ei=i7bjZOejNauphbIPvb-o-Ao&ved=0ahUKEwinlb-Buu6AAxWrVEEAHb0fCq8Q4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=golf+mk7+remove+centre+consle&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHWdvbGYgbWs3IHJlbW92ZSBjZW50cmUgY29uc2xlMgYQABgWGB4yCBAAGIoFGIYDMggQABiKBRiGA0i5OVAAWIo2cAB4AJABAJgBX6ABzxGqAQIyObgBA8gBAPgBAcICBxAjGIoFGCfCAgQQIxgnwgIOEAAYigUYsQMYgwEYkQLCAggQABiKBRiRAsICBxAAGIoFGEPCAhMQLhiKBRixAxiDARjHARjRAxhDwgILEAAYigUYsQMYkQLCAgoQABiKBRjJAxhDwgIIEAAYigUYkgPCAgoQABiKBRixAxhDwgIIEAAYgAQYsQPCAg0QABiABBgUGIcCGLEDwgIKEAAYgAQYFBiHAsICBRAAGIAEwgIHEAAYDRiABOIDBBgAIEGIBgE&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
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Just in case you've not read this thread: https://www.vwroc.com/forums/topic/36462-replacement-carpets-and-underlay/page/2/
As with all these things Google and YouTube are your friend.
Hope it goes OK.
Thanks for this. Yes, I spent most of Sunday evening looking at guides so have the following. I may put this on a new thread of what you need to do to remove the interior but will do that after it's done.
Tools required
- Trim removal tools
- M10 Spline Bit (for the front seats)
- 10mm spanner (to disconnect battery terminals)
Rear door panel removal (before I do anything else to get the water ingress issue completely resolved)
https://youtu.be/MkT1RQYyekw
Front door panel removal (I may have a look at the speaker here, not sure yet as I've not had any issues with water at the front)
https://www.autoinstruct.com.au/manufacturer/volkswagen/mk7-golf/mk7-front-door-trim-removal/
Centre console/armrest removal
https://youtu.be/uq9Yb031Kzw
Front Seat removal
https://youtu.be/Xoa_9CqxN8A
Rear Seat Base Removal
https://www.autoinstruct.com.au/manufacturer/volkswagen/mk7-golf/mk7-golf-rear-seat-base-removal/
Door trim removal
https://www.autoinstruct.com.au/manufacturer/volkswagen/mk7-golf/mk7-golf-sill-panel-trim-removal/
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Thanks you and yes you're well head of me. Those links will be really helpful.
I started off having the courage to do the brakes pads and disks on my GTI (and Honda Jazz - yes don't ask but the most reliable car we've owned), have since done a clutch change and inlet valve decoke and injector change (all 8 -yes 8)) on my GTI. I now plan to do the timing chain on my daughter's Mini all because of people such as yourself having the courage to have a go at things such as this and recording it on forums. Eternally grateful.
Thanks.