I believe it's vacuum operated, but I don't know which hose(s) and/or actuators control it. It feels like it's spring loaded. When I push it closed by hand, it pops right back open and I can't get it to close for the life of me (the recirc button doesn't do anything and I ran the self diagnostics test for the vent control - complete fail).

I have water coming into the cabin and I've cleared every drain (front to back), so it must be coming in through that flap - which I want closed either way.

Can anyone help here?

Thanks

 

Any chance that you have water coming in through the doors? Every German car I've ever owned (over 10) has had the door vapor barrier shrink, crinkle and allow gobs of water intrusion when they get 10-15 years of age.

I'm not saying you are wrong, but before you go further, check the plastic vapor barriers.

 

That's definitely worth checking (thank you), but I have had the passenger side torn apart for about six weeks. I spent the first two weeks drying everything out completely and clearing all of the drains, then I let the car sit for the past month (literally) to see if the problem was fixed, but I'm still getting some water in the cabin (not as much as before, but there's still a leak somewhere).

I have confirmed that my vents aren't operating properly, as well as confirming that the fresh air door will not close under any circumstances. I can push it closed by hand, but it pops right back open (like it's spring loaded). That tells me that the movement is fine/the door isn't stuck or hung up on anything. There's a problem with the HVAC system itself.

If you look at the picture below, the arrow is pointing at where the water is coming from (it has the highest concentration of water everytime water gets in the cabin). Hopefully that helps.

I may have two problems: HVAC issues and a seperate leak, but I can't figure out either issue at this point.

Thanks again!


https://app.photobucket.com/u/chipot...0-61bc36125e33

Main source of water leak.

 

Do you have the water problem winter and summer? If only summer, I wonder if it is the evaporator drain line come loose or plugged? As you say you let the car sit, I doubt it is the AC drain. Perhaps someone will have some insight. Water and electrical problems are the worst. Good luck.

 

Good question.

I bought the car a few months ago and it had obviously sat for a while (most likely under a tree). All of the drains were clogged and I had to replace the blower motor assembly, so I know those issues existed. I've fixed everything that would normally be the cause, but I would like to know more about this A/C drain issue (I've read about it, but don't know where to look exactly). I also have to tackle the vacuum/actuator problem that's causing the flap to stay open and the vent problem. I just don't know where to go next. I'm out of ideas.

 

I haven't had an evap drain prob (yet) on the 208 body so I cant help there. Try YouTube?

Most older VWs require that the windshield valence drain pan be in place or it DUMPS water into the airbox, but again, the 208 body doesn't look like that (the 209 does allow water if the shielding is left off). The AC CPU controls when the fresh flap is open or closed, and I often am confused. I expect it to go fresh when I turn off recirc, but the brain determines what it does, especially when in auto mode. I would prefer knobs and/or levers, where I determine the setting, like a 64 Impala. Easy! Afraid I cant help. :-(

 

Yeah: I would take analogue over digital in this case any day. I seriously doubt I have an EVAP issue. I just washed the car and went heavy on the water in the areas most suspect - and water got in for sure, but I pulled the blower motor cover and it was dry. It's almost like it's coming from the firewall somewhere.

As for the fresh air flap issue: I don't know if I should be replacing the control unit, or looking for bad actuators and/or vacuum leaks.

(pulling my hair out)

 

I had water come in the same exact spot. There is a drain (round, the size of a quarter with a flap) in the engine compartment, below windscreen passenger side. It gets clogged over time and when water builds up it goes over the a damper and runs out the same spot you have marked.

 

That's exactly what I thought, but I've cleaned every known drain (including that one). They were all clogged - and cleaning them stopped most of the leakage, but water is still coming in from somewhere (and it's not the A/C). I can't figure it out.

 

It is exactly above...clogged drain in the engine compartment...a common question on forum...do search for water passenger side. Run a long wire down the tube to unclog it...then run some water slowly to completely clear the tube.

BTW, all the flaps of the hvac are controled by vacuum. the tube runs toward passenger side, enters the right wheel well and can only be seen by removing mud flaps. That is where many vacuum lines are broken. There is a vacuum splitter there and the line breaks. The line then enters through fire wall just next to the blower motor...attaches to the vacuum distribution box that controls all the flaps...do a search, I posted pics of all the above.

https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...ution-box.html