I had a 2000 Audi A6 Avant, and the cowl drains clogged during another wet SoCal winter. Cost me $1,000 to pull out the interior to dry it. Matter of fact, any time something broke on that Audi, it was at least $1,000.....

 

I try to get as much up with a chamois and the vacuum. Too damp and it takes forever to get the baking soda out of the carpet. The last time this happened to me I went to the car wash place - paid them to use the carpet cleaning machine and reaaaaaallly had them dry it. Once it's dry as possible, the soda treatment works to soak up any mildewy madness that develops.

 

It's a easy DITY, I had to do mine about 1-2 years ago. Take the cowl cover off and reseal the patch with some RTV. I got luck and mine was only a slight drip when the wife commented water dripped on her foot one day.

 

It's funny that I didn't have any issues until this recent deluge of rain. But of course according to the Weatherman this is the most rain we've had in 7 years. That might acount for it occuring now. Plus - to expand on what I posted earlier - I'm guessing when the cowling was replaced (warranty) they disturbed the patch to where it was no longer secure or misaligned enough to not give an adequate seal.

I'm hoping the dealer takes an effort to get most of the moisture out of the carpet. I'm not looking forward to this mildew crap

I take it from other posts I've read that the cars came from the factory with the patch affixed(ie glued) in place - is that correct?

 

The hole is an access point under the cowl. The patch is there to keep water out. I could tell when I did mine that water had been sitting on top of it. My guess is that it just finally just found a point it could enter. It then drips down (or pours in some cases) though the cabin filter, so you will need to replace that also, at least mine was wet. WHen I did mine I used blue RTV and seated it down. Once that dried, I smeared it over the edge to help smooth it out. Mines in the garage at night, but still gets rain when out obviously. But so far, no more drips. I've though it it happens again, I would try a piece of aluminum and see if that is better than the plastic patch.

 

My '72 Vega GT wagon used to collect water on the driver's side when we got heavy down pours.. It turned out to be rust holes under the SS window trim.. The car was made from compressed rust and I had about 56 K miles on it when I traded it in after 3 1/2 years. It had an engine replaced around 35K miles for oil consumption issues. The worst car I ever owned and my first new car. Nearly soured me on GM, but the car I replaced it with was a '76 Nova Concourse four door 350 ci 4bbl turned out to be one of the best car I owned.

 

First Car I owned was a 75 Chevy Monza (basically a restyled Vega). rusted roof and windshield began showing within 2 years. " cause GM was skimpy with the corrosion protection. In the 70's So California it was common to see vegas with V8/v6's. Favorite was the GT wagon. But even in SO Cal, once the rust started on a Vega it was a forgone conclusion and a losing battle to fight. I think I saw one in excellent condition with a Kenne Bell V6 at a show in Rancho Cucamonga last year.


Update: dealer found a flapper that covers the AC evaporator had fallen open letting the water in? Oh yeah and they'll seal the rubber piece too. I'm somehow doubting that.. we'll see when I pick it up this afternoon. Here's to hoping they at least clock the wipers correctly. last time they did it wrong and the driver side wiper was swinging passed the pillar.

 

Grumpee, i just got a call from a friend who has a 06' LT and guess what.Climed into his HHR this evening and had about 3" of water on the passenger side too.I told what happen to yours too.So we he comes into my work tomorrow i'm going to show him the link about the cowl.I hope this isnt something that we all have to start to worry about.

 

Me TOO!

 

Tracy-

IIRC ? GM redesigned this area for the 07 or 08 model year, they did away with the patch & etc...

(un-related):
Problem with Vega motors, was that the cylinders were not lined, just alloy block..

We used to machine them out & press in Steel liners. Then they lasted.

Best was to just add a V-8, I miss my 72 Wagon...That hauled fine with a 283"