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While removing the fender vents (power vents, nameplates) to repaint the mesh section, I noticed a fluid-filled bag inside the driver's side fender. There is a white sponge inside the bag as well. Passenger side has the same bag, but no fluid inside.
Can anyone enlighten me as to what this bag is? What is the fluid? Is it supposed to have fluid? If not, how do I empty it?
Can anyone enlighten me as to what this bag is? What is the fluid? Is it supposed to have fluid? If not, how do I empty it?
I think its just for sound absorption/vibration control. Your drivers side bag has a hole and filled with water - with a scissors just cut a slit and let the disgusting old water drain away.
I think its just for sound absorption/vibration control. Your drivers side bag has a hole and filled with water - with a scissors just cut a slit and let the disgusting old water drain away.
Interesting... If I can get a part number, I can be positive that's what it is. Looking through the service manual doesn't pull anything up. I'll keep searching sound absorption parts.
As Hafren noted, it is unlikely it should be filled with a liquid for lots of reasons. Draining it would be prudent as who knows what would want to grow in there.....maybe wear rubber gloves if chose to do so as well.
As Hafren noted, it is unlikely it should be filled with a liquid for lots of reasons. Draining it would be prudent as who knows what would want to grow in there.....maybe wear rubber gloves if chose to do so as well.
I agree, it's not supposed to have fluid in there. I just don't like to go poking holes in things without knowing what they do, and how the fluid (likely water) got there in the first place.
What does this bag attach to? There's one on both sides of the vehicle. I'd love to get a photo of one on the car to get a better idea. It obviously serves some function we don't understand quite yet.
Its for noise/vibration dampening. It fills with rain water after a while and should be drained. Not a good idea to have all that water looming over your ABS module.
When I had mine out I drained it, and wrapped it tight with plastic wrap to make sure it doesn't absorb water anymore.
Now it looks like I am smuggling 2 Kilos pure uncut.
Its for noise/vibration dampening. It fills with rain water after a while and should be drained. Not a good idea to have all that water looming over your ABS module.
When I had mine out I drained it, and wrapped it tight with plastic wrap to make sure it doesn't absorb water anymore.
Now it looks like I am smuggling 2 Kilos pure uncut.
Can I access the bag to properly drain it by removing the plastic wheel liner? I definitely don't want to remove the entire fender if I don't have to. How is it attached to the vehicle? There's also a good sized chunk of yellow(ish) foam in front of the fluid filled bag that looks to be attached to the body or frame with double sided tape.
I noticed when I get into the car after a hot day, and the HVAC auto starts, it seems to be very humid air coming out at first (my glasses will fog up a bit), which tells me there's some excess moisture somewhere, but there's no wet carpet or indication of a leak anywhere I can find. I wonder if this is related??
I had my fender off when I discovered it so I'm not sure you can take it out.
I don't see why you can't just drain it in situ. If I remember correctly it didn't take much to remove it. It was just some glue or tape holding it in place. When I reinstalled mine i didn't bother using tape or glue, just wedged it in there. I think the fender holds it in place.
I had my fender off when I discovered it so I'm not sure you can take it out.
I don't see why you can't just drain it in situ. If I remember correctly it didn't take much to remove it. It was just some glue or tape holding it in place. When I reinstalled mine i didn't bother using tape or glue, just wedged it in there. I think the fender holds it in place.
Well, I can't just pull the bag out... it's attached to something. I would hate to rip the bag because it's taped somewhere I can't see or get to.
I'm still curious how water even got in there...
I've never heard of 'clear bag with a chunk of foam inside' to be a solution to reduce noise/vibration. Very strange.
Maybe that bag was something used in the manufacturing process, like to keep stuff from falling/dripping during some stage of assembly. Not unheard of in manufacturing.
Asside from sound/vibration dampening it is likely to also assist in "crumple zone" management and body part stiffening. In that it is only filled on one side only It might just be that there is an opening in a spot you may not be able to see. As to how water got in there in the first place one could only speculate without complete removal.
Were it me (and now I'm inclined to look at my baby too) I'd just drain it and attempt to seal it via a good quality tape that can tolerate temperature extremes. Looks be damed, just keep the water out.
I'm going to have to leave it until I have time to get the car in the air and revive the wheel liner to see if I can get better access. I want too figure it how water gets into this bag, and how it's attached to the car.
Fluid filled bag inside fender(s)
