front water leak 1998 vw sharan ?

I've had a passenger footwell leak in my '99 Sharan. Did as suggested to clear the drain ports, even removed the windscreen wiper mechanism. These ports were clear. After much head scratching I found where the water was getting in.
At the bottom of the windscreen there is a three section plastic trim. One long one across the bottom of the screen, and two corner quadrants through which the wiper pivots protrude. On these quad pieces there are three plastic fixing clips which are inserted into the metal bodywork, the plastic trim then snaps into these. Two of the body clips are within the engine compartment bodywork, and pose no problem. The third is located about 150mm up the windscreen side pillar where the water running off the car roof, naturally runs past the clip. The water seeps under the clip and through the hole in the pillar into the passenger compartment.
Prise the little plastic peg out the centre of the clip, then extract the clip from the bodywork. The hole allows water to run into the passenger foot well. Make sure the area is completely dry, bodge a load of high modulous silicon (glazing silicon is good) into and around the hole. Replace the clip and peg. Allow the silicon to go off, then replace the plastic quad trim. This cured my leak. Same on the driver's side.

Big Steve in Bridlington
January 2012

If you lift the bonnet and look at the back below the base of the windscreen there is a tray that is supposed to collect any rain etc that gets in. There will be one or more drain points behind the tray designed to allow the water to drain out harmlessly into...wheel arches ?? I think these may have got blocked. Have a look with a small torch and see if you can identify / clear the blocked drain points. My best guess is that they are on either side. You may have to remove the tray I described in order to get better access to the drain points - there are three small bolts then it pulls and twists out. While you're at it you may as well replace the pollen filter - back right - though it is a pig of a job - maybe leave that!
It's important to fix this leak asap as I believe the rain water can also get into the wiper motor and cause expensive problems. Hope that helps.

Richard
January 2009