Auditude

I went through a high pressure (brushless) car wash yesterday. On the third pass of the carriage I heard the unmistakable sound of cascading water inside the car as the carpet on the passenger side firewall and footwell started turning dark as the water pooled up. The air from the A/C went from cold to barely cool so I think the evaporator coil flooded too.

I've been through that wash before but this has never happened. I think this was the first time though with the A/C running since I've only had the car since March. If logic prevails it would seem less likely to happen with A/C on as the outside vents are supposed to close. Right?

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Can anyone tell me how the vent system or rain drain is supposed to work on these cars? This is not normal for a $30K plus car.

For all the wise guys here....no I didn't leave the windows or sunroof open.

TomAvant

I haven't seen an A4, but on a 1st gen A6, there's a drain under the vent system on the passenger side of the firewall trough....it clogs pretty easily, then the trough floods and water gets into the vent/AC system......I would assume the system for the A4 would not be that different......<p>'01 1.8T Avant - India Red

Auditude

I suspect mine is full of pine straw and the like. I gotta figure out how to get to it.

Longwolf (Christian)

for 99.5 the A4s came with a cowl/firewall cover that prevents leaves and crud from building up in there. On my '98.5, I used to clean out that firewall area each time I washed the car to keep the leaves from building up too much.

Maybe you should ask you dealer to install this cover from the newer A4s under warranty, he may do it.<p>Christian J. Long
President - Quattro Club of Florida
Orlando, FL
-----------------------------------
'00 A4 1.8tqsm
'87 944S
'90 Audi 90cs
-----------------------------------
Past Audis:
84 CGT, 85 CGT, 87.5 CGT
90 CQ, 98.5 A4 1.8tsm

TomAvant

it will reach down there and suck all the crap out........the little basin becomes like a little compost bin.......<p>'01 1.8T Avant - India Red

Auditude

It looks like there are four or five plastic screws and another couple sheet metal screws to remove it. I guess the drain is under that somewhere??

Longwolf (Christian)

<p>Christian J. Long
President - Quattro Club of Florida
Orlando, FL
-----------------------------------
'00 A4 1.8tqsm
'87 944S
'90 Audi 90cs
-----------------------------------
Past Audis:
84 CGT, 85 CGT, 87.5 CGT
90 CQ, 98.5 A4 1.8tsm

Auditude

I guess I'll need to look at a later model to see what you are referring to. What's a booster?