Water in Spare Wheel Well - Golf MK7

[KillianMk7]

There is an easier way to change the vents. You can unclip them from the inside, push them into the bumper cavity, twist and pull pack into the boot. No need to take the bumper off. Just removed and replaced (covered in silicone) both this evening on MK7 Golf. Hope this helps.

[Gregpank]

KillianMk7 said:

There is an easier way to change the vents. You can unclip them from the inside, push them into the bumper cavity, twist and pull pack into the boot. No need to take the bumper off. Just removed and replaced (covered in silicone) both this evening on MK7 Golf. Hope this helps.

Hi, could you give a bit more detail on how to do this without removing the bumper please?
And on a related topic, it’s a bit basic but has anyone suggested drill a small drain hole and bung in the spare wheel well and then open it from time to time? Just a thought.

[GolfDragon]

I don’t think drilling a hole in the spare wheel well and popping a bung in it would solve the issue. The problem is the carpet which houses the spare wheel gets saturated with water either when you drive through excessive surface water or heavy rain. The only way it dries usually is through evaporation in my experience.

I also think that by drilling holes you could potentially increase your chances of experiencing rust or corrosion in the spare wheel well which would probably be a bigger issue to solve.

[Gregpank]

GolfDragon said:

I don’t think drilling a hole in the spare wheel well and popping a bung in it would solve the issue. The problem is the carpet which houses the spare wheel gets saturated with water either when you drive through excessive surface water or heavy rain. The only way it dries usually is through evaporation in my experience.

I also think that by drilling holes you could potentially increase your chances of experiencing rust or corrosion in the spare wheel well which would probably be a bigger issue to solve.

No that’s a good point. I’ve actually just left that bit of (decorative) carpet out for now as you’re right, it’s constantly drenched.
Back to the original idea of how to change the vents without the hassle of removing the rear bumper of anyone can provide more info on how to do it...

Edited by Gregpank on Sunday 16th May 18:05

[hexaflexagon]

I had the same problem with a Leon estate car whilst in the first year of warranty which the dealer fixed. It’s just occurred again. My local go to car maintenance chappy, the great grandson in a family business our family have used since the 1930s says he’s seen it a lot and it’s often due to an iced up rear washer which causes back pressure in the feed pipe causing it to detach from the connector. I’ll know next week when he’s had it in.

[Earnie06]

Just replaced the two rear vents which let water in the boot well via the tailgate channels which guide rain water round and past the rear light seals and onto the inadequately sealed vents. I didn't want to remove the bumper as that looked very difficult, but followed the advice of a previous post which advised doing it from inside of the car. Total time was 90 minutes including coffee breaks. Hardest part was pulling out the rear sill trim to allow the side carpet panels to be removed thus exposing the back of the vents. Once that is done it's just a matter of cleaning them thoroughly, prior to coating the flimsy rubber seal with plenty of sealant and then clicking them back in. I recommend you practice replacing them without any sealant on as it's a fiddly insertion and rotation movement to get it right without interfering with the sealant!

[Heyhey2024]

Hi all

For those who have re-sealed the vents without taking the bumper off...I would really love to know how? I'm attempting this job and was going to take the bumper off.

Any walk-throughs or a guide would be much appreciated.

Thank you

[Earnie06]

Remove the 2 torx screws from the rear sill trim and pull the trim upwards hard - this was the hardest part. Then with your torx screwdriver remove the screws securing the pieces of plastic trim on the sides of the boot allowing you to pull away the carpet pieces just enough to give you sight of the vents. Push out the vents from inside of the boot and catch them before they fall onto the road. Clean them well. Practice reinserting them the right way round by feeding them back in, and twisting them into the upright position. The remove them again and apply sealant generously along the edges that will touch the outside of the opening. Then replace them with the sealant on and you will hear a very satisfying click as they re-seat themselves!

When reinstalling the carpet and trims make sure the fiddly metal clips are in the right place before snapping them back.

I did this job a couple of weeks ago and it has rained every day since and there is absolutely no leak anymore. I even got under the car and pulled away the rubber grommet on each side and the cavities were bone dry!

Good luck, you'll be proud when you manage it!

[Jambur]

Mk 7s have multiple well documented leak points. Seals around door speakers, Drain tube on boot door, seals around rear light clusters, slam vents in rear quarter panels.