I've had to do exactly the same job today. Found it interesting that my local VW centre had the vents ready to go on the shelf and didn't need to order them in. Goes to show it must be a common issue. A part like that should never need replacing unless damaged in an accident... The new vents don't fit tight either, so sealing them in is a must!
I've owned VW's and Audi's exclusively since the mid '70's and the first leak issue I had was a 1980 Audi 4000 (the sunroof leaked) fast forward to now and I currently have a 2017 Alltrack SEL no leaks yet BUT many golf owners do there's a laundry list of places these cars suffer leaks, from pano sunroof, door speakers, rear hatch drain, and rear side vents. I probably don't have leaky pano roof because I park indoors (I'm guessing) I have discovered the rear hatch drain needs replacing (just got replacement in the mail today) luckily no leaking discovered though. Just to replace though is going to need fingers crossed that I don't break any trim pieces. I'm going to seal the rear side vents too. I essence VW's QC needs a ass kicking those rear Sid vents with NO seal? WTF Glad I'm old and won't need another car (hopefully) because I'm done with VW products but I still have my 1999.5 MK4 Jetta for back up anyway...265Kmi still on original clutch too, starts right up like new and runs great no oil consumption issues either. But NEW VW's naw I'll pass. Aren't cars supposed to get better over time? My 50Kmi Alltrack is due for a intake valve cleaning due to direct injection (thanks VW) ... not a issue in my 1999.5 Jetta
Did my MK7 badge drain pipe today. The grommet had rotted out so the end of the pipe was inside the tailgate. I was only getting water in the tailgate, but this is a useful vid if it starts getting in the boot etc. My tail light foam gaskets were watertight....for now anyway! With the bungs you pushed through, I wonder if some people just run without them? VAG never admit to their design flaws...I know....I work for them.
Was your problem solved afterwards? My garage did this as well but there is still some water leaking (after high pressure washing inside wheel arches. Now believe its coming from the side rear lights.
I'm at my wits ends with my mk 7 golf. Suffered bad water ingress in the boot, rear seats and rear floors. Have replaced the boot drainpipe. Took it to VW who had the back bumper off, put new vents in, resealed it all, had new rear door seals both sides and they dried the whole car out including floor carpets. Job done I thought, now I should have a nice dry car to use. Anyway recently we had a lot of rain and I didn't use the car for a week. When I got in my heart sank when I saw both the windscreen and back covered with water on the inside. Checked the boot which was OK, rear seats bit was OK but the rear floor carpets are completely soaked through. I'm at a loss, they are not wet on top or to touch but get underneath and they are saturated with water!
Did you find out what was causing this? I'm at a loss with mine too, already done the speakers but have yet to try the vents. Boot is dry but rear carpet is soaking wet underneath.
You have to take the rear door cards off and drill out the four Rivets that hold the speaker in. Clean off the old foam seal from the speaker use tiger seal or an all weather sealant to seal the speaker back into the door.
Hello, we've had condensation problems for quite some time and today decided to strip out the rear seat only to find water underneath & also in spare wheel well, can I ask is there any modifications to the newer replacement vents ? If not could the original one's be reused just sealed in with silicone ? Or would you recommend to replace the vents for new ? I've not had time yet to remove the bumper will do over the next few days but my problem is pointing towards those vents !
Havin same problem at the moment back seat soaked. VW main dealer said it could cost up to €800 to fix and would have to hold on the car for a few days.
Great videos on line.. I'm trying to figure out how to remove side panels to grt at vents so as not to break clips, i can reach under bumper n touch vent. So ill Tec7 vents , hopefully won't need to remove bumper. Our back seat was soaked, easily removed, remove carpet under wheel. In the mean time, cloth under side panel to soak any ingress of water. Back light over window .is another dodgy seal
had my friendly neighbourhood garagist from Turkey (I live in Amsterdam, big Turkish community) look at it, went over the car with the hose, sealed the vent like shown in this video, cost me 90 Euro, about a hundred dollars.
i never heard of tiger seal before but from the cartridge its says bonds ? you went that way instead of silicon for any specfic reason? I just replacing anything would be easer if it wasnt bonded as per say?
I suppose then it would last a lifetime. That car will be dead long long before the tiger seal even thinks about perishing lol. I wonder also if running without the bungs would stop the water building up and save having to get new vents and sealing them.....or...just seal the granny out of the old vents on both sides of each vent. Someone has said the new vents aren't a tight fit. Shocking design and engineering from VAG.
8 Torx T25 screws and a couple of stupid T10 Plastic screws on the underside. I managed to do mine with a small ratchet spanner with a small extension on it. Remove the rear lights first. The two top horizontal screws (one each side) are a nightmare to get at and in retrospect I should have removed the wheel first, or at least jack the car up. I put the grommets back in to prevent ingress of water, but like you I thought about leaving them out.
@@TheKwaze gravity will work to your advantage unless you go through a pool of water ... otherwise leaving them off will most likely not require you to do a fox on the vents as the water will be draining anyway.
Got an Audi a3 with a wet boot which the dealer can’t find where it’s coming from. Sent them this video as the vent is viewable inside a boot compartment on the Audi.m and seems to be wet at the bottom of the vent inside the boot. Hoping this solves it 🤞🏼 Anyone know if the vent can be removed without removing the bumper on an Audi a3? Cheers
Hi I just done this job few days ago how ever I’m still getting water in when I drive in the rain I did not put the rubber grommet back in please can you confirm if you did put yours back ? Thanks
@@robbeard6929 very true, if one put hand under bumper you can actually feel how loose the vents are, its appalling engineering, and removing the inside panel fabric trim isn't easy i think!!
@@patrickokeeffe6998 Certainly is Patrick but on a production line take 3 seconds each to fit, accounts make cars now, they are all made the same, a bit crappy really.
Thanks for this got an R with the same issue i think. can you get to that grommet from the boot side? Thinking of taking it out, did they really design it to get water in that compartment? its such a bodge design haha
@@anthonytindall78 Wow, really, going to check with daylight tomorrow, lots of water in my booth. Just pulling the thingy out seems sufficient to me. I'm not to technical, taking of the bumper and getting busy with Tigerseal seems to much trouble, I might do more damage than repair... and @Theedappa, is your problem fixed now?
It's really annoyed me. Spending lots of money and vw have multiple known problems. The back light seals are another known problem so could be that as well. Worth checking.
Pulling the gromit won't fix the problem pernamently just empties the area where water collects. but when car goes in for service going to get garage to re seal the vents.
@@anthonytindall78 I'm fuming - spent a decent amount on a Mk7 as a nice run-around and it ends up having this same problem. Definitely need to get together and start a class action again VW, the b******s!
No need to remove the bumper to get to the vents... remove the cover on the inside of the boot... press the two tabs on top of the vent to it can move freely outwards, then move the vent upwards... then press the two tabs on the bottom and take the vent out... They way the vents are removed from the car in the video will damage the tabs... Clean the v-ring of the vents, clean the bodywork and put them back in...
Easier to pull bumper off on these rather than remove trim and carpets etc. Then simply tiger seal the new vents in place, no need to worry about possible broken clips once they’ve been sealed in place 👍
@@dutchrctimekeeping It will, but to be honest bumper off is under 10 minutes plus it's difficult to apply a good bead of sealant through the vent hole. I discovered you can remove the vent from inside literally an hour ago but still will take the bumper off to be sure it's all sealed up properly.
... removing the vent from the outside without breaking clips seems allmost impossible to me... sealing it properly is easy, use enough sealant (nobody will notice if you used to much 😉)... with none of the clips broken, they will hold the vent in place till sealant is dry...
@@dutchrctimekeeping Yep, you need to get to the inside to release the clips. I've seen people pull it off from the outside but it sounds awful and the last thing you want is to break the clips! For the time it takes, I'll probably remove interior trim and bumper. Still can't believe the design though. Would be so easy to make it much better.
Just had the same issue on my 2014 golf 7, these are not built for a long lifetime anymore... built very disposable.. I think they are competing with French cars by allowing water into their cars and mess up the electrics.
I've had to do exactly the same job today. Found it interesting that my local VW centre had the vents ready to go on the shelf and didn't need to order them in. Goes to show it must be a common issue. A part like that should never need replacing unless damaged in an accident... The new vents don't fit tight either, so sealing them in is a must!
I've owned VW's and Audi's exclusively since the mid '70's and the first leak issue I had was a 1980 Audi 4000 (the sunroof leaked) fast forward to now and I currently have a 2017 Alltrack SEL no leaks yet BUT many golf owners do there's a laundry list of places these cars suffer leaks, from pano sunroof, door speakers, rear hatch drain, and rear side vents.
I probably don't have leaky pano roof because I park indoors (I'm guessing) I have discovered the rear hatch drain needs replacing (just got replacement in the mail today) luckily no leaking discovered though. Just to replace though is going to need fingers crossed that I don't break any trim pieces. I'm going to seal the rear side vents too.
I essence VW's QC needs a ass kicking those rear Sid vents with NO seal? WTF Glad I'm old and won't need another car (hopefully) because I'm done with VW products but I still have my 1999.5 MK4 Jetta for back up anyway...265Kmi still on original clutch too, starts right up like new and runs great no oil consumption issues either. But NEW VW's naw I'll pass.
Aren't cars supposed to get better over time? My 50Kmi Alltrack is due for a intake valve cleaning due to direct injection (thanks VW) ... not a issue in my 1999.5 Jetta
Did my MK7 badge drain pipe today. The grommet had rotted out so the end of the pipe was inside the tailgate. I was only getting water in the tailgate, but this is a useful vid if it starts getting in the boot etc. My tail light foam gaskets were watertight....for now anyway! With the bungs you pushed through, I wonder if some people just run without them? VAG never admit to their design flaws...I know....I work for them.
Was your problem solved afterwards? My garage did this as well but there is still some water leaking (after high pressure washing inside wheel arches. Now believe its coming from the side rear lights.
Spot on mate..... thank you for the video, I found exactly the same as you. Appreciated !!!
How do you remove the bumper?
Thank you :)
I'm at my wits ends with my mk 7 golf. Suffered bad water ingress in the boot, rear seats and rear floors. Have replaced the boot drainpipe. Took it to VW who had the back bumper off, put new vents in, resealed it all, had new rear door seals both sides and they dried the whole car out including floor carpets. Job done I thought, now I should have a nice dry car to use. Anyway recently we had a lot of rain and I didn't use the car for a week. When I got in my heart sank when I saw both the windscreen and back covered with water on the inside. Checked the boot which was OK, rear seats bit was OK but the rear floor carpets are completely soaked through. I'm at a loss, they are not wet on top or to touch but get underneath and they are saturated with water!
If you have the four door model, water is known to enter from the speakers in the door. I'm unsure where it'll be entering though.
Did you find out what was causing this? I'm at a loss with mine too, already done the speakers but have yet to try the vents. Boot is dry but rear carpet is soaking wet underneath.
You have to take the rear door cards off and drill out the four Rivets that hold the speaker in. Clean off the old foam seal from the speaker use tiger seal or an all weather sealant to seal the speaker back into the door.
Hello, we've had condensation problems for quite some time and today decided to strip out the rear seat only to find water underneath & also in spare wheel well, can I ask is there any modifications to the newer replacement vents ? If not could the original one's be reused just sealed in with silicone ? Or would you recommend to replace the vents for new ? I've not had time yet to remove the bumper will do over the next few days but my problem is pointing towards those vents !
I agree, can't see much point replacing the vents if you are going to add sealant. I might try it from inside the boot first.
@@TheKwaze could it be done from inside in the boot?
@@ies-bj4nn Tried, but wasn't working, so I done it from outside the boot. Not too difficult in the end.
thanks for showcase ;) you are helping many folks !
Could you just take Gromit out or drill a small hole so the water will drip away. Having same problem.
Great video. Thanks. What are the vents called? Can't find them anywhere...
Havin same problem at the moment back seat soaked. VW main dealer said it could cost up to €800 to fix and would have to hold on the car for a few days.
Great videos on line.. I'm trying to figure out how to remove side panels to grt at vents so as not to break clips, i can reach under bumper n touch vent. So ill Tec7 vents , hopefully won't need to remove bumper. Our back seat was soaked, easily removed, remove carpet under wheel. In the mean time, cloth under side panel to soak any ingress of water. Back light over window .is another dodgy seal
had my friendly neighbourhood garagist from Turkey (I live in Amsterdam, big Turkish community) look at it, went over the car with the hose, sealed the vent like shown in this video, cost me 90 Euro, about a hundred dollars.
Just done mine, but I didn't replace the vents as the sealant should do the job better anyway when applied liberally....I hope.
Thank you, my sister will be pleased.
i never heard of tiger seal before but from the cartridge its says bonds ? you went that way instead of silicon for any specfic reason? I just replacing anything would be easer if it wasnt bonded as per say?
I suppose then it would last a lifetime. That car will be dead long long before the tiger seal even thinks about perishing lol. I wonder also if running without the bungs would stop the water building up and save having to get new vents and sealing them.....or...just seal the granny out of the old vents on both sides of each vent. Someone has said the new vents aren't a tight fit. Shocking design and engineering from VAG.
V good, how many screws to remove bumper and finally did you leave the grommet off that's behind the vent,
Unbelievable from VW.
8 Torx T25 screws and a couple of stupid T10 Plastic screws on the underside. I managed to do mine with a small ratchet spanner with a small extension on it. Remove the rear lights first. The two top horizontal screws (one each side) are a nightmare to get at and in retrospect I should have removed the wheel first, or at least jack the car up. I put the grommets back in to prevent ingress of water, but like you I thought about leaving them out.
@@TheKwaze gravity will work to your advantage unless you go through a pool of water ... otherwise leaving them off will most likely not require you to do a fox on the vents as the water will be draining anyway.
Does anyone know the part number for these vents?
Got an Audi a3 with a wet boot which the dealer can’t find where it’s coming from. Sent them this video as the vent is viewable inside a boot compartment on the Audi.m and seems to be wet at the bottom of the vent inside the boot. Hoping this solves it 🤞🏼
Anyone know if the vent can be removed without removing the bumper on an Audi a3? Cheers
How did u manage to get tje bumper off was it hard
Is italso possible to leave the drain plug unplugged? So water can run out when needed or can this cause problems?
You could but you could be at risk of water ingress and condensation in damp climates.
Thanks for a great video!
Hi I just done this job few days ago how ever I’m still getting water in when I drive in the rain I did not put the rubber grommet back in please can you confirm if you did put yours back ? Thanks
yes the grommet was reinstalled prior to reinstalling the vents.
Also check you're not getting water enter via the light clusters.
Love my mk7 gtd but what a mare ,modern cars should never leak it’s like vw have cut corners
Did you have accident is this side? Thanks for the video
They all do it and Ford Focus. The vents move about and the clips wear, they then become loose, They need screwing back in really.
@@robbeard6929 very true, if one put hand under bumper you can actually feel how loose the vents are, its appalling engineering, and removing the inside panel fabric trim isn't easy i think!!
@@patrickokeeffe6998 Certainly is Patrick but on a production line take 3 seconds each to fit, accounts make cars now, they are all made the same, a bit crappy really.
If it was bone dry and summer these are nearly doable from the inside with Tigerseal.
True, but bumper off is only a 10 min job really
Yes possible but if you have the time it's best to seal externally.
Did this fix the water leak?
Yes sure did!
Thanks for this got an R with the same issue i think. can you get to that grommet from the boot side? Thinking of taking it out, did they really design it to get water in that compartment? its such a bodge design haha
I pulled the bung from underneath. If you get under car you will see it.
@@anthonytindall78 Wow, really, going to check with daylight tomorrow, lots of water in my booth. Just pulling the thingy out seems sufficient to me. I'm not to technical, taking of the bumper and getting busy with Tigerseal seems to much trouble, I might do more damage than repair... and @Theedappa, is your problem fixed now?
It's really annoyed me. Spending lots of money and vw have multiple known problems. The back light seals are another known problem so could be that as well. Worth checking.
Pulling the gromit won't fix the problem pernamently just empties the area where water collects. but when car goes in for service going to get garage to re seal the vents.
@@anthonytindall78 I'm fuming - spent a decent amount on a Mk7 as a nice run-around and it ends up having this same problem. Definitely need to get together and start a class action again VW, the b******s!
No need to remove the bumper to get to the vents... remove the cover on the inside of the boot... press the two tabs on top of the vent to it can move freely outwards, then move the vent upwards... then press the two tabs on the bottom and take the vent out... They way the vents are removed from the car in the video will damage the tabs... Clean the v-ring of the vents, clean the bodywork and put them back in...
Easier to pull bumper off on these rather than remove trim and carpets etc.
Then simply tiger seal the new vents in place, no need to worry about possible broken clips once they’ve been sealed in place 👍
@@simonehayes4911 it takes me 5 minutes to remove trim and carpet... will take longer to pull bumper off...
@@dutchrctimekeeping It will, but to be honest bumper off is under 10 minutes plus it's difficult to apply a good bead of sealant through the vent hole. I discovered you can remove the vent from inside literally an hour ago but still will take the bumper off to be sure it's all sealed up properly.
... removing the vent from the outside without breaking clips seems allmost impossible to me... sealing it properly is easy, use enough sealant (nobody will notice if you used to much 😉)... with none of the clips broken, they will hold the vent in place till sealant is dry...
@@dutchrctimekeeping Yep, you need to get to the inside to release the clips. I've seen people pull it off from the outside but it sounds awful and the last thing you want is to break the clips! For the time it takes, I'll probably remove interior trim and bumper. Still can't believe the design though. Would be so easy to make it much better.
This has been a problem since the Mk4 came out late 1990s
Great video mate, cheers
Thanks 👍
Just had the same issue on my 2014 golf 7, these are not built for a long lifetime anymore... built very disposable.. I think they are competing with French cars by allowing water into their cars and mess up the electrics.
Agree!!
Man
Spot on mate..... thank you for the video, I found exactly the same as you. Appreciated !!!