Technical Blocked Water Drains

[Lorna87]

Every time I go round a corner I can hear water moving behind the dashboard, which has happened before and was due to blocked water drains, which a garage cleared for me. Obviously I don't want to keep having to go back to the garage so wondered if someone could explain how I can clear these myself. I assume it is quite simple to do as it only took the garage about 5 mins. When they did it at the garage though they took the car into the workshop so I couldn't see what they did, hence asking for advice here. Am keen to get issue resolved especially with all the rain we are getting.

Also if someone could tell me exactly where the drains are, again assume these are easy to get to.

I have a Panda 61 plate.

Thanking all in advance.

Lorna

 

[evo-number-one]

I've not had to do this yet (only had the car a month ), but in having read reference to this being a common occurrence, have read and bookmarked a few threads on this, some of which are linked below and may be of help:

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/272828-loose-plastic-thing-full-water.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/275339-damp-drivers-footwell.html

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/201194-bulkhead-swimming-pool.html

Have a read - hope that helps.


Bob

 

[varesecrazy]

Every time I go round a corner I can hear water moving behind the dashboard, which has happened before and was due to blocked water drains, which a garage cleared for me. Obviously I don't want to keep having to go back to the garage so wondered if someone could explain how I can clear these myself. I assume it is quite simple to do as it only took the garage about 5 mins. When they did it at the garage though they took the car into the workshop so I couldn't see what they did, hence asking for advice here. Am keen to get issue resolved especially with all the rain we are getting.

Also if someone could tell me exactly where the drains are, again assume these are easy to get to.

I have a Panda 61 plate.

Thanking all in advance.

Lorna

hi, perfectly normal occurence.. I'll post a link to a good How-to thread,

trying to find pics..!!;;
https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-ii/336137-water-inside-problem.html
Charlie

 

[jon1612]

Also if someone could tell me exactly where the drains are, again assume these are easy to get to.

I have a Panda 61 plate.

Thanking all in advance.

Lorna

common fault, have a look in the space under the wiper arms. mine were blocked, took one out cleaned and refitted other one i could not get back in so left it out :bang:

 

[varesecrazy]

only need to squeeze the bottom of the plastic "duck-bill",
I've posted on many threads for this issue.. SEARCH finds NOTHING :bang:

I'll keep looking
still no DECENT pics..!! but this will help,

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/304870-water-footwell-wet-feet.html

 

[jon1612]

only need to squeeze the bottom of the plastic "duck-bill",

mine was solid with mud, had to remove to clear out

 

[varesecrazy]

mine was solid with mud, had to remove to clear out

AH,
sounds like it hadn't been cleaned in a while then..!!

leaf-mould is the usual culprit, :bang:

I've re-posted the Thread with the better pics, the silver car with no engine is NOT a panda.. BUT the drains are all in basically the same place,

It looks like a proper GUIDE on this is overdue.. - when it stop raining..!!

Charlie

 

[varesecrazy]

Every time I go round a corner I can hear water moving behind the dashboard, which has happened before and was due to blocked water drains, which a garage cleared for me. Obviously I don't want to keep having to go back to the garage so wondered if someone could explain how I can clear these myself. I assume it is quite simple to do as it only took the garage about 5 mins. When they did it at the garage though they took the car into the workshop so I couldn't see what they did, hence asking for advice here. Am keen to get issue resolved especially with all the rain we are getting.

Also if someone could tell me exactly where the drains are, again assume these are easy to get to.

I have a Panda 61 plate.

Thanking all in advance.

Lorna

Hi Lorna,
it's pretty straightforward,

precautions,
use the slide-sideways LOCK on the bonnet catch..so it cannot drop in the wind,
wear / marigolds/similar gloves to do the muck removal..it can be excellent compost

squeeze the "nozzle" at it's widest point, goo / water should fall out,
you can put a finger in there to scoop out more,

Charlie

 

[Lorna87]

Hi Lorna,
it's pretty straightforward,

precautions,
use the slide-sideways LOCK on the bonnet catch..so it cannot drop in the wind,
wear / marigolds/similar gloves to do the muck removal..it can be excellent compost

squeeze the "nozzle" at it's widest point, goo / water should fall out,
you can put a finger in there to scoop out more,

Charlie

Thanks Charlie. Are the pipes easy to get to. Quite reassured that this is a common occurence for people - I thought it was just my car!

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Lorna,

lift the bonnet, and they are at the back of the enginebay

under the shiny DOME rivets at the TOP of picture,
slightly left of centre.. and under BROWN plastic frame + Rubber pipe 3/4 across to right,
all you have to do is reach it and squeeze the edges/corners IN..


this pic ;

will give you a clue.. but reading through the couple of other threads..in BLUE..

will give you other views,and more written info,

it should take you 5 / 10 mins to clear out the tubes..so well worth having a quick read..then doing it

charlie

 

[ripshot34]

Personally I cut mine to allow the leaves and other debris to flow through easier as on the diesel option it is not easy to do at all without removing a whole load of plastics

 

[varesecrazy]

there is a train of thought whereby the "duck-bills" stop engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment,
I'll keep mine sealed,
Charlie

 

[jrkitching]

there is a train of thought whereby the "duck-bills" stop engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment,
I'll keep mine sealed,
Charlie

I'm also thinking that if all the breathers are in good order, there should be no fumes in the engine bay to enter the passenger compartment. An early warning of impending trouble is not necessarily a bad thing.

When I had a split breather on the 500, the smell was almosr overpowering.

You certainly don't want water collecting in the scuttle as that could lead to electrical faults, wiper problems and if left long enough, corrosion.

Taking everything apart and cleaning it properly is more likely to be a long term fix than just unblocking the pipes by squeezing them, which may be why the 5 minute solution didn't last long.

 

[varesecrazy]

for the record ..!

I tend to open-up the duck bills @ every 4 months on the 5 x modern( very similar) FIATS I generally look after,
just a tiny build-up is all that comes out. ( egg cup full - total).so NO I've never had to poke holes in things,
or take the complete scuttle apart.

it's the odd FIAT I have to look at that's been neglected where I DO find a fair bit of crud..still only seen 1 ( punto 55) that was actually holding water trapped though. only took @ 3 mins to empty completely though.
a squeeze of the bill and hook out of leaves with middle finger soon sorted it.

 

[Lorna87]

for the record ..!

I tend to open-up the duck bills @ every 4 months on the 5 x modern( very similar) FIATS I generally look after,
just a tiny build-up is all that comes out. ( egg cup full - total).so NO I've never had to poke holes in things,
or take the complete scuttle apart.

it's the odd FIAT I have to look at that's been neglected where I DO find a fair bit of crud..still only seen 1 ( punto 55) that was actually holding water trapped though. only took @ 3 mins to empty completely though.
a squeeze of the bill and hook out of leaves with middle finger soon sorted it.

Ok, so open bonnet and find tube at back of engine and squeeze along it to get any muck out. Sounds simple enough - even for someone of my limited knowledge. I was just concerned that I would have to removes something in order to get to them. Any ideas why this is such a common occurence? It happened for the first time in about October time and now again. We have two other Fiats in the family, neither of which this has happened to. Could it just be due to the extreme weather conditions we have had recently?

 

[ripshot34]

there is a train of thought whereby the "duck-bills" stop engine bay fumes entering the passenger compartment,
I'll keep mine sealed,
Charlie

Well I Cut mine best part 18 months ago and everythings fine no problem with fumes and no debris so not having to spend over a hour taking plastics off to get to the duckbills.

 

[Lorna87]

Well I Cut mine best part 18 months ago and everythings fine no problem with fumes and no debris so not having to spend over a hour taking plastics off to get to the duckbills.

So when I pop the nonnet, where exactly do I need to look?

 

[ripshot34]

So when I pop the nonnet, where exactly do I need to look?

is it a diesel or petrol they will be in same place however not as visble on multijet

 

[Lorna87]

is it a diesel or petrol they will be in same place however not as visble on multijet

It is petrol MyLife Panda.

 

[ripshot34]

well I can see there has a pic up a the back of the engine bay it a small plastic cup if u have a look with a torch u cant really miss it but the pic best descirbes it