Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

Technical Blocked Drain

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Technical Blocked Drain

SB1500

SB1500

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I've read about this problem before but can't seem to find threads on it. Feel free to refer me to some if they're here..

Today checked my oil, coolant - all good. Tyres too, no more balding since Feb. Pretty proud of my Panda and chuffed my investments have hopefully helped keep it this way.

Just took a look at some wires exposed, thinking I should add protection in case water or more rough material can damage them causing electrical faults.. A nightmare if it happens ..

This is when I discovered the reflection of a rather wide pool of water under that plastic panel the wipers rest on. I couldn't get a decent photo but I couldn't see where the drains are but I reckon they're blocked causing this build up.

Also spotted due to a massive wet patch on the fire wall. And a little drip!

How can I fix this? :) ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1467234418.684276.jpg
 
Clear the drains... If you look under where the tray is (behind the engine, just follow the lip down) you'll see two large rubber pipes that drop about two inches and go to nothing. I'd advise wearing some rubber gloves, it gets dirty... Give them a squeeze and it should at least release the water. As a temp solution I pushed them up and into the scuttle panel area to keep mine clear, and when I had the scuttle off (routing stereo wiring) I took them out and cleaned them properly. I've also found on a previous car (1999 merc c class, where you can't get ear the drains) boiling water is fantastic to clear any smelly muck out, but with the panda so easy to work on I think that's a bit extreme
 
SB1500 said:
I've read about this problem before but can't seem to find threads on it. Feel free to refer me to some if they're here..

Today checked my oil, coolant - all good. Tyres too, no more balding since Feb. Pretty proud of my Panda and chuffed my investments have hopefully helped keep it this way.

Just took a look at some wires exposed, thinking I should add protection in case water or more rough material can damage them causing electrical faults.. A nightmare if it happens ..

This is when I discovered the reflection of a rather wide pool of water under that plastic panel the wipers rest on. I couldn't get a decent photo but I couldn't see where the drains are but I reckon they're blocked causing this build up.

Also spotted due to a massive wet patch on the fire wall. And a little drip!

How can I fix this? :) View attachment 169182
Click to expand...

Search duck-bill...

Not really used in other circumstances: ' )
 
SB1500 said:
I've read about this problem before but can't seem to find threads on it. Feel free to refer me to some if they're here..

Today checked my oil, coolant - all good. Tyres too, no more balding since Feb. Pretty proud of my Panda and chuffed my investments have hopefully helped keep it this way.

Just took a look at some wires exposed, thinking I should add protection in case water or more rough material can damage them causing electrical faults.. A nightmare if it happens ..

This is when I discovered the reflection of a rather wide pool of water under that plastic panel the wipers rest on. I couldn't get a decent photo but I couldn't see where the drains are but I reckon they're blocked causing this build up.

Also spotted due to a massive wet patch on the fire wall. And a little drip!

How can I fix this? :) View attachment 169182
Click to expand...
had exact same problem. I found out when going round corners, you could hear the water sloshing around. After a little investigation I found the rubber drain thingy which I pushed out from underneath and removed from the tight recesses with a piece of wire. Sure enough it was up to the gills in sludge and very smelly! A quick scoop out and rinse and replaced, it just pushes back in, and all's well. No more 'odd' sloshing sounds'!
I would say to remove is a bit tricky but id say if I can do it with 'miners hands' then most people won't have a problem. I'd be weary of using boiling water to clear as there is part of the wiring loom right above it. Also I noticed that this loom had 'schafed' against the metalwork taking the outer protective cover off but the sleeve of the actual electrical was still 100% intact (lucky!) so a quick wrap round with some insulating tape to protect and again another potential problem avoided. Id guess using some sort of waterproof tape would be in order, I used what was at hand at that time.

Ok hope you cars fine,
 
FASTMOGGY said:
had exact same problem. I found out when going round corners, you could hear the water sloshing around. After a little investigation I found the rubber drain thingy which I pushed out from underneath and removed from the tight recesses with a piece of wire. Sure enough it was up to the gills in sludge and very smelly! A quick scoop out and rinse and replaced, it just pushes back in, and all's well. No more 'odd' sloshing sounds'!
I would say to remove is a bit tricky but id say if I can do it with 'miners hands' then most people won't have a problem. I'd be weary of using boiling water to clear as there is part of the wiring loom right above it. Also I noticed that this loom had 'schafed' against the metalwork taking the outer protective cover off but the sleeve of the actual electrical was still 100% intact (lucky!) so a quick wrap round with some insulating tape to protect and again another potential problem avoided. Id guess using some sort of waterproof tape would be in order, I used what was at hand at that time.

Ok hope you cars fine,
Click to expand...

I must get my wire loom covered,spotted this too. It was actually inspecting this when I saw the refection of the water from the blocked drain. Quite a few wiring looms and pips exposed.

What is the ultimate tape that wont give up in the engine compartment?
 
I think the wiring loom gets ''water damaged'' from water dripping from the wiper arm recess where there is a water drainage hole directly above the wiring loom. This leads to water eventually wearing it through.

Would it be a good idea to cut the cable tie free in order to allow the wiring loom to move freely, as I find the wiring loom with the cable tie attached allows slight movement on the metal bar causing erosion.

Matt.
 
Oh joy of joys , you have finally brought me peace of mind. I too was going crazy with the sound of sloshing water as I drove along. Convinced I had an air lock (new radiator fitted following minor prang) I proceeded to bleed the system......several times!!!! To add to my confusion I occasionally have to park on a steep slope outside our local shop where even in the dry weather I would return to find a pool of water underneath the car. I checked for leaks , even went as far as sticking a bottle of rad weld in just in case. Logic should have told me that if the coolant level wasn't dropping then it wasn't coming from the rad but hey I drive a panda!! Proof enough that my heart rules my head. So this morning I read your post and went out and popped the bonnet and hey presto there it was, lake Windermere lurking just below the wipers,a good clean and blow dry with the air line and problem solved
Thanks folks.
 
Twopandas said:
Oh joy of joys , you have finally brought me peace of mind. I too was going crazy with the sound of sloshing water as I drove along. Convinced I had an air lock (new radiator fitted following minor prang) I proceeded to bleed the system......several times!!!! To add to my confusion I occasionally have to park on a steep slope outside our local shop where even in the dry weather I would return to find a pool of water underneath the car. I checked for leaks , even went as far as sticking a bottle of rad weld in just in case. Logic should have told me that if the coolant level wasn't dropping then it wasn't coming from the rad but hey I drive a panda!! Proof enough that my heart rules my head. So this morning I read your post and went out and popped the bonnet and hey presto there it was, lake Windermere lurking just below the wipers,a good clean and blow dry with the air line and problem solved
Thanks folks.
Click to expand...

Isn't this forum bloody brilliant?

I'm going to start budgeting a damn good monthly donation to it, invaluable how much help it's got me!
 
SB1500 said:
Squeezed the both of them, started running like a tap!

Reckon every so often a quick look should keep it from building up so badly!
Click to expand...
Just had to do mine today, Id cleaned it out last year so never thought anything about this problem until I parked up this morning in car park and saw this long trail of water ending at my panda. Got back and removed the rubber drain by just pulling it out at the bottom and had same picture as the one you sent!
My question is though...WHY does this drain block up so quickly?
 
FASTMOGGY said:
Just had to do mine today, Id cleaned it out last year so never thought anything about this problem until I parked up this morning in car park and saw this long trail of water ending at my panda. Got back and removed the rubber drain by just pulling it out at the bottom and had same picture as the one you sent!
My question is though...WHY does this drain block up so quickly?
Click to expand...

It collects dead leaves, dust and other debris, creating its own compost source. If you park near trees, they will need clearing more frequently. Especially in the autumn.
 
FASTMOGGY said:
Just had to do mine today, Id cleaned it out last year so never thought anything about this problem until I parked up this morning in car park and saw this long trail of water ending at my panda. Got back and removed the rubber drain by just pulling it out at the bottom and had same picture as the one you sent!
My question is though...WHY does this drain block up so quickly?
Click to expand...

one suspects your panda is a "tree hugger"..!! :rolleyes:
 
Must check mine again! But yeah, pretty grim to find a mousse like texture of dirt and tree leave remains!

The real issue is if they fully block and cause the water to pool, you can look into the reservoir area without having to move anything to see if it's pooled up into a bigger issue
 
portland_bill said:
It collects dead leaves, dust and other debris, creating its own compost source. If you park near trees, they will need clearing more frequently. Especially in the autumn.
Click to expand...
Yep, I am parked next to a small tree, not something id given too much thought too and not the first car that has suffered from this problem. I had a corsa 1.2 and when it rained a lot the gully must have filled up and then filled the nearside tray under the glove box. Very frustrating as the toad alarm was also fitted to the nearside pillar so when it rained it went off, much too the annoyance ti the neighbours so many a time I had to drive the car at 3 in the morning around the countryside to allow the car to dry off!

Oh..i guess the water came in through the hole made for the wiring loom to the alarm.!
 
Last edited:
FASTMOGGY said:
Oh..i guess the water came in through the hole made for the wiring loom to the alarm.!
Click to expand...

The chamber is created like a loo U-bend, but supposed to be without the water. The air for the heater has to drop down into the chamber, then up over a ledge to get into the heater. This is to prevent water ingress.

When the chamber fills with rain, the water level rises to the ledge, then spills over into the heater, and drains onto the car floor through the footwell vents.
 
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