It doesn’t rain…it pours

[T_J_G]

Took Z out today, and noticed mould on the passenger side mat, started getting flashbacks of mk4 Golf leaks.

Looks like water is breaching the door deal? Is this the door membrane knackered?

Pic to show the leak

 

[bigwinn]

Door membrane bud

 

[enuff_zed]

That's about the right place for a membrane leak yes.
The bottom edge sealant dries out and the membrane lifts away from the door.
Can't be certain until you get the card off though.

 

[bigwinn]

Get the door card off for a look

May just need re sealing as opposed to new membrane time

 

[z4_spiral]

Ever had the door card off before to know if the membrane is ok? Mine leaks a little, took the card off and someone repaired it with gaffer tape. Somewhat unsuitable, and will be replacing soon myself! It's 4 screws and a trim tool to have a look, not too difficult to get off just to inspect.

 

[T_J_G]

Ever had the door card off before to know if the membrane is ok? Mine leaks a little, took the card off and someone repaired it with gaffer tape. Somewhat unsuitable, and will be replacing soon myself! It's 4 screws and a trim tool to have a look, not too difficult to get off just to inspect.

It’s only been mine a month, but a previous garage looked into a passenger side central locking problem (and proposed a new door lock actuator) so I think they may have disturbed the membrane :x and previous owner kept it garaged and never used in the wet so wouldn’t have noticed

 

[z4_spiral]

That sounds entirely plausable. My service history had a window regulator problem - and the barrier was torn to shreds. At least it's an easy check with no specialist tools. Hardest part imo is getting the screw cover off at the door handle. That's an absolute sod

 

[T_J_G]

That sounds entirely plausable. My service history had a window regulator problem - and the barrier was torn to shreds. At least it's an easy check with no specialist tools. Hardest part imo is getting the screw cover off at the door handle. That's an absolute sod

Annoying thing it was the GM5 at fault, I’ll have to look at the door card tomorrow. The underside of the door was very wet. Ordered some butyl tape so may do a temp fix.

Thanks for your help.

 

[bigwinn]

That sounds entirely plausable. My service history had a window regulator problem - and the barrier was torn to shreds. At least it's an easy check with no specialist tools. Hardest part imo is getting the screw cover off at the door handle. That's an absolute sod

Annoying thing it was the GM5 at fault, I’ll have to look at the door card tomorrow. The underside of the door was very wet. Ordered some butyl tape so may do a temp fix.

Thanks for your help.

If the membrane is OK use Tec7 sealant to reattach and reseal

 

[enuff_zed]

That sounds entirely plausable. My service history had a window regulator problem - and the barrier was torn to shreds. At least it's an easy check with no specialist tools. Hardest part imo is getting the screw cover off at the door handle. That's an absolute sod

Annoying thing it was the GM5 at fault, I’ll have to look at the door card tomorrow. The underside of the door was very wet. Ordered some butyl tape so may do a temp fix.

Thanks for your help.

If the membrane is OK use Tec7 sealant to reattach and reseal

Agreed!
I tried Butyl Tape but it isn't strong enough to hold in the bit at the bottom where it has to fit a curve in the metal. Just pops straight back out again.
[ref]bigwinn[/ref] recommended the Tec7 as, in his words "It would probably seal a Black Hole!"

 

[z4_spiral]

That is super useful information!

 

[T_J_G]

Thanks all for the help, whipped the door card off and found the leak. It’s coming from the bottom of the sound insulation where the butyl tape has failed. I’ve heated it up to try and get it to rebond as a temp fix as can’t find any tape locally. I may put some sealant on there as suggested

 

[z4_spiral]

Love it when there's an easy fault, suspected problem, and fix available in the space of a day! Great job finding it, you must let us know how the sealent goes, and how the reheat held up until then!

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks all for the help, whipped the door card off and found the leak. It’s coming from the bottom of the sound insulation where the butyl tape has failed. I’ve heated it up to try and get it to rebond as a temp fix as can’t find any tape locally. I may put some sealant on there as suggested

Spot on as predicted.
Honestly, I wouldn't waste time or money on the tape. I gave up with it at the part of the membrane as you can see it just wants to pop back out again.

 

[T_J_G]

Thanks all for the help, whipped the door card off and found the leak. It’s coming from the bottom of the sound insulation where the butyl tape has failed. I’ve heated it up to try and get it to rebond as a temp fix as can’t find any tape locally. I may put some sealant on there as suggested

Spot on as predicted.
Honestly, I wouldn't waste time or money on the tape. I gave up with it at the part of the membrane as you can see it just wants to pop back out again.

Membrane is in pretty good nick, heating up the issue area has highlighted another smaller leak. So I’ve done the process over again and will keep chucking bottles of water over it til it’s dry. The reheating does seem to work but I’m sure it’ll only be temporary

 

[T_J_G]

Well it’s all back and hopefully water tight, I kept reheating and sealing until it was dry. Just washed the car and couldn’t see any water making its way inside.

Massive thanks to those who have helped, what I thought would be a headache has turned out pretty simple (and free) to fix.