The official name is 'Sound Absorber for Engine Bonnet' but is commonly known as 'Sound Proofing Layer'.
Also known as the black piece of shite that soaks up water better than a super sponge loads of threads on here about it
Thanks!
You'll notice from the picture that I posted my sound proofing layer is quite mouldy now. I think a read a post on this forum a while back about someone having a leak near the scuttle that caused this same problem - but I can't find it now...
What is likely to cause this?
How much are they to replace?
Also known as the black piece of shite that soaks up water better than a super sponge loads of threads on here about it

mine was fixed under waranty leaked again gave up end of![]()
I noticed the mould when I bought the car in May 2012, but I have just left it. I always wondered what caused and if it was easily fixed...
I'd be concerned about doing the DIY fix mentioned. The reason for that is if I stop the water flowing through to get caught by the sound proofing panel, then where will it then go? I don't want it to sit in a puddle rotting something away.
It is annoying when you open the bonnet, but it is something I can live with at the risk of creating another problem for me.
Yeah i know what you mean you want to stop the water getting in there not the water getting out if you know what i mean , i think that is what the seat fix does just not very well lol
That's exactly my thoughts mate.
It's clear that Seat have made a balls up here as i'd imagine all MK2 owners will have experienced this problem and by the sounds of it Seat have just shown lip service to drivers by doing the "repair" under warranty only for the problem to re-surface within a few months.
All things considered i'll probably just leave it as-is.
Exactly.
If they don't change it i think ill take it off now and then to let it dry out
Don't take it out, you'll void your warranty on your engine!!!!!
Probably best trying to solve the source of the problem. But then, I've just given up on mine lol