Damp smell

[Vw80]

As title notice damp smell in car all carpets feel dry. When I open rear door behind drivers there’s near always water sitting on sill outer part. Been raining near constant of late here. Any suggestions on why it’s always wet there or how water should escape from there. Tia

[Carbon VW]

Hello. Sounds like it could be the dreaded speaker seals which are leaking. The speaker gasket on the rear doors perishes and leaves water through it, which then leads to water pooling on the sill and eventually coming into the carpet area. I had this on both my rear speakers. I drilled out the speaker rivets and made my own liquid gaskets for the speakers.No more leaks.
Check by pouring/hosing water onto the rear windiows and then check for water dripping from the bottom of the door card palstic.

Hope this helps.
Good luck!

[CookieMonsterGTi]

I had soaking water on the floor rear passenger side just before Christmas, I mean water was running off the matt when I picked it up!

Turns out a plastic plug on the inside of the door had broken as part of assemble so wasn't pulling the door card in quite right.

Water runs down the inside of the door from the window to a draining channel.

I think there is a also a 'common' issue to do with the seal around the speak - but ultimately the same kind of problem.

Im sure someone else can shed some light on it who has more experience.

[CookieMonsterGTi]

Looks like Carbon got in before I finished typing and explained it much better

[Snoopy]

Probably the same issue golfs have suffered since the mk4. The inner panel that supports window behind interior door panel, the seal fails. Same principle to fix cheaply as below. Or buy a new seal from VW.
Same principles to fix as the leon https://dubsteve68.blogspot.com/2011/05/seat-leon-leaking-door-seals-repair.html?m=1

[Vw80]

Thanks guys will get a look at it when time allows. Looks relatively straight forward.🤞🏻

[Vw80]

Sealed up all door speakers but occasionally c water drops on sill outer but inside feels dry. Is this normal? Swapped out water drain from vw boot badge although boot showed no dampness. If water coming n at vents behind rear bumper would boot b wet? I still have damp smell n car an wondering before I send for valet is there anywhere else should check?

[Finglonga]

Are you sure it isn't the air-con needing a clean?

[Vw80]

Are you sure it isn't the air-con needing a clean?

I’m not - but if car left parked for day or two when get in damp smell instantly before even turn on ignition?

[Carbon VW]

When was the pollen filter last changed ? Have you checked for rodents in the engine bay? As others have said get an AC service. Failing that , you said the carpets are dry, but if enough water got in previously then the underlay carpet could be holding the musty smell