Water ingress getting into my TTS Roadster causing the rear of the passenger side floor to become soaking wet

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

Hi Audi fam

I drive a 2016 Audi TTS Roadster and noticed on the weekend when I got into my car that their was a pungent smell of damp in the car. After some self-investigating I established this was due to the carpet on the rear of the passenger seat becoming soaking wet which I expect is a result of the heavy rain we've had in the UK in the past couple of weeks. I believe the water is somehow coming in via the seals on the passenger side panel as there is no wet coming from the roof of the car etc.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue before? Having looked on YouTube it looks like it could be down to the drain pipe in the side panel becoming clogged with debris which is causing the water to become trapped within, but this is just a guess at the moment.

Have booked it in with Audi in the meantime, but any tips or tricks as to what might help would be appreciated.

TIA

Jordan

Owner of Audi TTS Roadster 2016

[Magnet]

Hello Jordan,

Short of stripping out the carpet and side panels, I feel this may be a difficult solve. However, let’s hope someone on here has been-there-done-that, and can pass on their experience. 
‘Booked in with Audi’ - OK, that’s one route, but an alternative may be a trusted local body shop. Very often a more experienced route. 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

[Steve Q]

Is the passenger window sealed properly with the roof? Could it be the seals at the back of the roof/boot. Is the rear window still bonded in fully? 

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

Thanks @Magnet @Steve Q - I've attached a couple of photos (one of where the leak is occurring and the other where I think the leak is coming from which I have temporarily put a micro fibre cloth over to hopefully stop some of the water ingress getting in)

The seals all look intact to me and nothing unusual by looking at it.

I've booked it into Audi for a diagnosis, but let's be real Audi are going to do whatever they can to financially sting me with the cost of the repair. This is the 2nd issue this year I've had as a result of water ingress in my Audi. It's not brand new but it's still not what I expect from a MK3 Audi TTS which should be built better. I never had any water ingress issues with my previous Mercedes or BMW.

Edited November 9, 2022 by AudiTTSRoadster -JAM

[Magnet]

Hello Jordan,

Many thanks indeed for coming back on this.

I can only repeat my earlier suggestion of booking this in with a trusted local bodyshop, rather than Audi, but I appreciate that your route may be more acceptable and reassuring for you, and give you greater peace of mind.
Whatever you decide to do Jordan, perhaps you could let us know the outcome. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

Thanks @Magnet - My plan is to give it to Audi just for the diagnosis at least and see what they come back with and go from there. I'll keep you posted on further developments. 

I came across this YouTube video which seems to be a very similar issue on a MK1 Audi TT Roadster - This one is for a MK1 but I assume the same logic applies for the MK3's - I'll let you know once I know for sure what the issue is - Hopefully it's something that can be remedied easily without a huge cost!

 

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

Got an update on this guys!

Had my car into my local Audi garage today and they've come back informing me that it requires cleaning to unblock the drains and removal of the carpet etc to drain out the water. They have said no parts are required, but it's quite a lengthy procedure at 8 hours labour as (apparently) they need to strip a load of parts off to get to the bit that requires cleaning.

Audi have given me some good will on the labour cost, but it's still extremely expensive. They basically reduced the cost from £1622 (incl. VAT) which also includes the inspection fee down to £960 (incl. VAT) which works out at £120 per hour (incl. VAT) x 8 hours.

I'm feeling an Audi specialist with a cheaper labour rate might be the way forward on this - Audi are daylight robbery, even with the good will discount 😞 

 

 

 

[Magnet]

Thanks for coming back on this Jordan. 
As expensive as Audi is at £120/hr. we don’t see many queuing to set up dealerships, and make their fortunes. I don’t want to come over in defence of such dealerships, but this sort of rate is about the norm. If you think that is expensive, then how about £192/hr. at the local JLR dealership? 
Independent? Of course you can, and yes, their labour rate may be a bit cheaper, but will they do it thoroughly in the allotted time? 
Now you seem to have an aversion to my suggestion of a trusted body shop - for some reason. 

I still think you are likely to get the best job at such an establishment. These chaps are used to taking panels and interiors out to rectify crash damage, so should know their way around. 
I know where I would be going, but it’s your car, and obviously your choice.

I really hope it works out for you. 
Kind regards, 

Gareth.

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

Hey Gareth

Not sure what the difference is between independent and a trusted body shop is but I have no aversion to your suggestion at all; I just wanted Audi to diagnose the problem and then go from there and then was happy to go with the most affordable option.

The problem itself is fairly minuet, but for some reason Audi have said it takes 8 hours to remove to leaves and twigs and dry out the carpet lol.

Is what it is, it doesn't seem like there is an easy way around this and unfortunately and I am unable to repair it myself for free, although I wish I knew how to!

Thanks for your assistance on this.

[Magnet]

Thanks for coming back Jordon.

Let me start by saying I certainly don’t won’t to push you in any direction in which you feel you don’t want to go. 

People usually join this ( and I guess most other) forums because they have a problem, and want to seek advice. Advice is given freely, and believe me, we have a very small number of contributors who give their time to help others, and I would guess it would be fair to say far less than one in fifty posters stick around to help others - even with similar experiences. 
My experience points me to believe that when someone asks for advice, they are often asking for confirmation that what they intend to do is for the best. If the advisor has a different view, then this can cause discontent. 
Many of my responses are prefixed with ‘…if this were mine…’, and this has been the case with your post. Again, posts can end up with the advisor stating that any decision to accept or dismiss that advice, quite rightly rests with the person asking for help. This again is the situation in your case Jordon. Please feel free to obviously do what suits you best - no problem on my  part, and I wish you well with whatever route you choose. 
 

I will try and answer your question of the difference between and independent and a bodyshop - apologies but I assumed this was known:- 

Main dealers and independents generally concentrate on mechanical issues rather than pulling bodywork and interiors apart. There was a time when main dealers had their own bodyshops to deal with accident damage etc., but I think you will find these are now few and far between. The same would apply to independents, but probably to a much great extent. 
Bodyshops? - as the title suggests. 
My feeling for what it’s worth- you take you car to your main dealer - they subcontract your issue to the bodyshop they normally use for accident  damage rectification, and add their profit.

Independent ? Would not be surprised they will do the same. 
That’s why I suggested you go straight to them and probably save yourself some funds.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

 

 

[absolutely wright]

Hi to anyone still interested in this stream. My (85) year old brother has just experienced the same problem on his 3 year old, 25,000 mile car and has been quoted - wait for it - £19,000 pounds by his main dealer to sort it out! Yes, £19,000 while the car is valued at only somewhere above £16,000. This is despite him having an up-to-date Audi own warranty. Has anyone any ideas to offer, please, as he' tearing his hair out and has no transport.

Andrew

[mags]

On 11/7/2022 at 10:00 AM, AudiTTSRoadster591 said:

Hi Audi fam

I drive a 2016 Audi TTS Roadster and noticed on the weekend when I got into my car that their was a pungent smell of damp in the car. After some self-investigating I established this was due to the carpet on the rear of the passenger seat becoming soaking wet which I expect is a result of the heavy rain we've had in the UK in the past couple of weeks. I believe the water is somehow coming in via the seals on the passenger side panel as there is no wet coming from the roof of the car etc.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue before? Having looked on YouTube it looks like it could be down to the drain pipe in the side panel becoming clogged with debris which is causing the water to become trapped within, but this is just a guess at the moment.

Have booked it in with Audi in the meantime, but any tips or tricks as to what might help would be appreciated.

TIA

Jordan

Owner of Audi TTS Roadster 2016

I have the same age of TTS with same problem I have dried carpet over a few months I have car covered with a waterproof covering im thinking the problem lies with the tailgate drainage pipe coming from under the boot spoiler but not sure 

[Steve Q]

On 11/23/2023 at 6:09 PM, absolutely wright said:

Hi to anyone still interested in this stream. My (85) year old brother has just experienced the same problem on his 3 year old, 25,000 mile car and has been quoted - wait for it - £19,000 pounds by his main dealer to sort it out! Yes, £19,000 while the car is valued at only somewhere above £16,000. This is despite him having an up-to-date Audi own warranty. Has anyone any ideas to offer, please, as he' tearing his hair out and has no transport.

Andrew

That's insane. Sounds like the dealer doesn't want the job. 

[philcrookes]

I had this problem (or certainly these symptoms) and fixed it without the need for expert help. I found the fix on Youtube. If you guys are still experience the problem I'll be happy to explain what I did here  (I am a few months late so maybe you have sorted it out!)

[Brooksy92]

Hi,

I’ve suffered with this water ingress and had to pay for a brand new amplifier costing £1700.As mine got totally water damaged. 

I've found a way to dry it all out using cloths, wire down the side flaps that open when putting the roof down.

Then finish it off with a dehumidifier 

I bought the dehumifider to save costs of a garage drying the car out.

But I just can’t see how a manufacturer issue means we as customers should be paying regularly to get them drained.

Wonder how many of us are facing this issue.

 

Edited April 1 by Brooksy92

[En4n]

Hi, 

I have a 2015 TTS roadster, and have had the same problem. The drain pipe becomes clogged up with leaves, and so forth. Which then overflows, into the rear of the passenger seat. Where the Amp for the sound system lives. What a great design NOT! I had a light bulb moment, which was why not try a sink unblocker! That Cleans out grease and all sorts of stuff. So after pouring half of the (£4) bottle into the water collecting tank, I watched it for a few minutes. Then glug, glug the blockage seem to slow give way. I left it for about 10 minutes, then poured Luke warm water down the pipe. It had really cleared it out, I was amazed this simple but effective trick worked. So don't pay alot of money to a garage, get a sink unblocker. I also did the other side for good measure. 

 

 

[AudiTTSRoadster591]

@En4n wow that seems like a really good idea to be fair! I'm pleased to see this post is helping others who have experienced similar issues. Awful design flaw for certain!

Shockingly, around 18 months since my issue with this and I'm having to send it back to Audi next week as I experienced this issue again where I noticed a damp smell in my car, this time on my drivers side as we experienced heavy rain in UK last couple of weeks - that said, luckily, it did dry itself out this time as I left my roof down all day when it was really hot last Friday and it's dried itself up; and as it's been less than 2 years since Audi Watford repaired it for £960.00, it's still under manufacturer warranty so they'll investigate again free of charge. I also make sure I send my car to Audi Hatfield now rather than Audi Watford; Audi Watford are very untrustworthy and have lost me as a customer and the service I've received since I've been going to Audi Hatifled is far more pleasant. If costs are of concern Audi do offer a thing called Bumper.com which is basically Klarna for pricy car repairs at 0% - For specialist jobs like this, If one can't resolve themselves I'd take it to Audi directly as you get warranty if anything goes wrong and can hold them accountable.

[cliffcoggin]

20 hours ago, En4n said:

I had a light bulb moment, which was why not try a sink unblocker! That Cleans out grease and all sorts of stuff. 

That's a good idea, but let me add a word of caution. Many of those products contain caustic soda which can wreak havoc on many metals, paints, and fabrics, as well as human tissue, so flush it well afterwards with lots of water.