Technical Scuttle drain

Currently reading:
Technical Scuttle drain

Joined
Sep 7, 2007
Messages
119
Points
56
Location
Sudbury
Hi , with this weather (rain) getting a sloshing sound when driving off after a rain shower (most have been heavy lately) looking under bonnet looks like water is running down screen and finishing up in the scuttle area, certainly evidence of water there this morning, question is where are the drains for this area as I guess mine are blocked, anyone got some photos or drawings as to where to look/puggle ?
Cheers
John B
 
Hi , with this weather (rain) getting a sloshing sound when driving off after a rain shower (most have been heavy lately) looking under bonnet looks like water is running down screen and finishing up in the scuttle area, certainly evidence of water there this morning, question is where are the drains for this area as I guess mine are blocked, anyone got some photos or drawings as to where to look/puggle ?
Cheers
John B
:yeahthat: x2 i had to do this recently as water was actually seeping through and wetting my carpets and condensation was very bad all the time bit more difficult on the multijet as airbox gets in the way so wiper scuttle panel off but when i did get them off i chopped the bottom to make it slightly more wider as first sign of a leaf and its blocked mite be worth while doing that stop it getting blocked so easy
 
Does anyone know what these things are called as i need to replace both of ours as they've split very badly
 
Does anyone know what these things are called as i need to replace both of ours as they've split very badly


They are generally referred to as duckbills, which sit in the bottom of the scuttle panel. They both allow the water to escape and stop the fumes coming back in to the car.

I’m sure there is a post or two on here about them.

It sounds like they are blocked. A wire coat hanger of bamboo cane will be enough to unblock them and get rid of the water. The splits should be there, so the water can escape, but they are probably full of leaves. I keep a bamboo cane in the car and ‘poke’ the leaves and stuff out a couple of times a year.

I’m sure one of our resident experts will be along shortly to explain it better than I have, but I hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
They are generally referred to as duckbills, which sit in the bottom of the scuttle panel. They both allow the water to escape and stop the fumes coming back in to the car.

I’m sure there is a post or two on here about them.

It sounds like they are blocked. A wire coat hanger of bamboo cane will be enough to unblock them and get rid of the water. The splits should be there, so the water can escape, but they are probably full of leaves. I keep a bamboo cane in the car and ‘poke’ the leaves and stuff out a couple of times a year.

I’m sure one of our resident experts will be along shortly to explain it better than I have, but I hope this helps.
That sound correct to me, I use a bottle brush they are great for the job(don't tell the wife, she keeps having to go buy more, when they disappear)
 
While cleaning it out, I pushed one of mine through so be careful. Ive not been able to fit it back properly but it works fine just sitting in the hole.
 
The cups are split at the bottom this lets water dribble out. Dead leaves and dirt build up and clog the slot. Clean it out carefully with a stick and all will be fine. Don't remove the cup unless you intend the take the wipers out. Access to replace them is very difficult.
 
Last edited:
The cups are split at the bottom this lets water dribble. Dead leaves and dust builds up and clogs the slot. Clean it out carefully with a stick and all will be fine. Don't remove the cup unless you intend the take the wipers out. Access to replace them is very difficult.
I knocked mine out too when cleaning them, but managed to guide them back into position using a long screwdriver.
 
On other cars people cut a few mm from the end with scissors to stop them blocking

On My 11 car the plastic has already lost it’s suppleness.
 
Even after the duck bills are freed open, there is often a layer of sludge and compost in the bottom of the scuttle that will block them again quite quickly. It is very difficult to get access to clean out the scuttle, but I have found a flexible crevice tool on the end of a vacuum cleaner is thin enough to slide into the scuttle and has enough suction to lift the sludge. This one on ebay is typical to fit a standard vacuum cleaner, other versions are available for Dysons

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Car-Upholstery-Cleaning-Vacuum-Cleaner-Hoover-Flexi-Crevice-Tool/301848522731?epid=18011659143&hash=item464792efeb:g:HgsAAOSw7p5afNyw
 
This post contains affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Even after the duck bills are freed open, there is often a layer of sludge and compost in the bottom of the scuttle that will block them again quite quickly. It is very difficult to get access to clean out the scuttle, but I have found a flexible crevice tool on the end of a vacuum cleaner is thin enough to slide into the scuttle and has enough suction to lift the sludge. This one on ebay is typical to fit a standard vacuum cleaner, other versions are available for Dysons

It's a good idea to remove the scuttle panel if it's very dirty, which isn't actually that hard (I thought it'd take an age but I had mine off in 15 minutes! :D ). Not only for cleaning it out, but also for re-wrapping the wiring loom! When I took the panel off to paint it (was faded and looked awful) all the cloth tape had rotted away and all the wires were out in the open, and my car is only 10 years old! When it's off, get in there with some soap and a microfiber wash mitt to get most of the grime out, then blast it with a pressure washer.

To remove the scuttle panel, place some masking tape along the top edge of each wiper so you can line them up when refitting. Remove the wiper bolt caps, undo bolts, unscrew the 3 screws along the bottom, lift the panel up at the front and pull it towards you to disengage the clips along the bottom of the windscreen (careful you don't lose these as they can drop off!). Then remove the washer hose, which is just a friction fit and the panel is removed! Refitting is the reverse, just make sure the wiper spindles are clean and if you have some, add a little bit of grease to the inside of each one.

As I said, while you're in there, re-wrap the loom if needed and give the area a good scrub, as any dirt could cause rust. At one point mine was filled to the brim with water, the mess it made when I unblocked the drains! :eek:
 
How’s this for a scuttle pond on my slightly newer panda MJ?

IMG_20210218_170140254.jpg

Had a look after finding a mini pond under the driver’s mat. :eek::eek::eek:

Wonder if the scuttle panel removal and clean up (including “Duck Bills” will cure the internal leak

Also wonder why only driver's side was wet :confused:

Note to self – check all the carpets before buying. Especially if odd smell in car :yuck:
 
Last edited:
How’s this for a scuttle pond on my slightly newer panda MJ?

View attachment 215729

Had a look after finding a mini pond under the driver’s mat. :eek::eek::eek:

Wonder if the scuttle panel removal and clean up (including “Duck Bills” will cure the internal leak

Also wonder why only driver's side was wet :confused:

Note to self – check all the carpets before buying. Especially if odd smell in car :yuck:

That's just how I found the area on my 500 a few weeks after buying the car
 
I would quite happily use a pressure washer just don't hold it too close and only do enough to clear the sludge. Wash the rest out on low pressure.

If any seam sealant gets ripped off, that's a good thing. Good sealant wont be damaged. Repair any bad spots with Tiger Seal.
 
Always having to clean these out (once every 3 months, due to having silver birch trees) however once a year take the duck bills out completely and clean them separately (remove wiper arms and scuttle to gain access and prepare to scrape and rub your arms red doing it but best for shifting the gunk)
 
Back
Top