300 TDI water ingress - what are those holes for?

Z

ZeHerman

Member

Posts

32

Location

Germany

• Sep 4, 2022

• #1

So I've been experiencing some water leaking into my 300 TDI from behind the dashboard during heavy rainfall, dribbling onto the clutch pedal and into the footwell. When looking for the potential source of it I came across some gaps under the windscreen near the door that I fixed, but there is still water leaking in.

I also came across these holes beside the bonnet hinges, one on each side. What are they for, and are they always there? Could they be the source of the water ingress?

 

marksman

Well-Known Member

Full Member

Posts

1,302

Location

Co Durham

• Sep 4, 2022

• #2

I believe there should be rubber bonnet buffer inserted in there ??

 

tottot

Well-Known Member

Posts

8,029

Location

west wales coast

• Sep 4, 2022

• #3

As above, put them in with a little sealer.

 

Z

ZeHerman

Member

Posts

32

Location

Germany

• Sep 4, 2022

• #4

marksman said:

I believe there should be rubber bonnet buffer inserted in there ??

Click to expand...

So the bonnet doesn't scrape when fully flipped up? Either way, seems like they are not supposed to be open. I'll fill them up so. Is there a Part number for a buffer, or will I have to improvise with some rubber or sealant?

Thank you!

 

miktdish

Guns n Chainsaws

Full Member

Posts

4,549

Location

Near Lanark, South of Glasgow. Scotland

• Sep 4, 2022

• #5

Yes, rubber buffers - beware the Britpart variety, they are made from 2% rubber and 98% boiled sweet.
https://m12offroad.co.uk/product/defender-90-110-series-2-3-bonnet-rubber-buffers-pack-of-2-332647/

These look 'rubbery' ... https://www.pegasusparts.co.uk/ours...7-Buffer-Bonnet-Hood-to-Dash-or-Bulkhead.html

Gaps should be filled with ATV sealant, small cracks can be 'cured' with Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure ....
https://www.marinesuperstore.com/se...aulking/captain-trolley-s-creeping-crack-cure

 

Last edited: Sep 4, 2022

simondance

Active Member

Posts

72

Location

Sussex

• Sep 4, 2022

• #6

Same issue here. Replacing with: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292150574874 (and also got a tube of Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure on order)

 

simondance

Active Member

Posts

72

Location

Sussex

• Sep 5, 2022

• #7

So I did the watering can test last night, and definitely had a driver side front vent leak…. Then even with heavy rain overnight and driving in the rain this morning, the driver side was still reasonably dry. Lesson here. I need to do more testing for leaks in the rain.