General Fiat Panda 2009 Water in driver side footwell after heavy rain

Currently reading:
General Fiat Panda 2009 Water in driver side footwell after heavy rain

elhumber

New member
Joined
Jul 31, 2017
Messages
2
Points
2
Fiat panda develops pool of water in driver side footwell when it has rained heavy. This is something which occurs only when the car is parked. When I switch the engine on more water also floods into the footwell. Any ideas on how to fix this would be much appreciated.
 
Have you checked the drainage pipes aren’t blocked?

They come out of the scuttle, and have silly “duck beak” rubber ends - these clog up and leave the scuttle full of water & this is often where the water comes from.

Just unblock them and ideally remove the end bits (no idea why they decided making them narrow at the end was a good idea). It’s exactly the same problem on the old mk2 Pandas too, but the drainage pipes are more obvious on these.
 
Dont remove the rubber "duckbills". Just clean out the sludge with a stick so that trapped water can dribble through.
 
Dont remove the rubber "duckbills". Just clean out the sludge with a stick so that trapped water can dribble through.

Why? What are they meant to do?

We’ve been removing them for over 20 years, never cause an issue again. Water goes straight through, and away from causing a problem. (y)

You’re very definite that they shouldn’t be removed, but I’ve never heard anyone say why they are a good idea.
 
Duckbills, duckbills, duckbills !!!

Blocked with dead leaves and detritus. Push the stuff out of the duckbills and the water will disperse. If you also hear water sloshing when turning, that is the same cause.

I keep a short bamboo garden cane in the boot and clear them out every 6 months or so.

I believe the duckbills should stay in as they also reduce engine smells and emissions coming back in to the car, whilst also (when unblocked) allowing the water to escape.

I'm sure a resident expert will be along shortly with a better worded explanation :worship::)
 
I suggest it's best to not remove the duckbills (drain grommets) because they are a nightmare to replace. (I think so anyway)


They get harder and stiffer with age so become even more difficult. My wife's Panda 1.2 Dynamic is simply cleaned out every few months when I bother to look. My 100HP had one removed and dropped back into the hole because I could not reach to flip the grommet around the hole edges. I new one would be easier but I doubt that I could reach to fit it properly.

A word of warning to those new to these cars. Job 1 - check the cooling system for leaks. Look for signs of drips from water pump seals, radiator and all metal pipes. The one across the front of the engine block is especially prone to rust. ANY leaks will drop the coolant level and ANY loss below minimum risks blowing the head gasket.
The radiator side tank gets dirty so use a dip stick. DO NOT rely on looking through the opaque bottle.


I mention it now, because gurgling from the heater coolant sounds similar to water sloshing around the air intake. However, coolant gurgling means you have almost certainly blown the head gasket.
 
Hi Guys,

I have just experienced this issue. Not happy. So much water got into my car on the driver's side. doing my best to dry it off before my car begins to smell like a wet dog.

The issue I am having though is that my climate control/heater fan unit has just stopped working. I checked the fuse on the interior fuse box and it seems fine.

Any thoughts on what the issue could be? Has this happened to anyone else? Will I perhaps have to replace the unit?

Desperately looking to remedy this problem as the car is in really good shape and I prefer to keep it that way.
 
Hi Guys,

I have just experienced this issue. Not happy. So much water got into my car on the driver's side. doing my best to dry it off before my car begins to smell like a wet dog.

The issue I am having though is that my climate control/heater fan unit has just stopped working. I checked the fuse on the interior fuse box and it seems fine.

Any thoughts on what the issue could be? Has this happened to anyone else? Will I perhaps have to replace the unit?

Desperately looking to remedy this problem as the car is in really good shape and I prefer to keep it that way.

Do you mean the fan no longer works?

This explains most issues:

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/314051-heater-faq.html
 
Last edited:
The scuttle has drains for a reason. If they are not checked and cleaned you will sooner or later have it fill up and let water into the car.
 
Hello all,
I have 2008 Panda Mk 2 that is suffering serious water ingress.
Having read this thread previously, the last time this happened, I have cleared the duckbills and tested that they drain.
Despite that, and having sucked the car as dry as possible with the Vax the other day, it's got a visible puddle in it again today after the recent rain.
The scuttle is clear of water.
Are there any other possible causes that forum members are aware of that I could pursue?
It's clean water. not coolant, and my coolant level is not down, so a heater leak isn't the issue.
Your theories or experiences please! It's like a paddling pool in there!
Thanks,
Gordon
 
If it’s had a windscreen change then, other than the drains, this is the most common reason for water ingress
 
Happened on my daughters Panda. I found the best solution is to take off the wiper arms and plastic cover. Be careful, there are lots of plastic clips that can snap. Then give the whole lot a good clean out. The rubber bung thing needs to come out and be thoroughly cleaned with a toothbrush, inside and out. Then reassemble. Seems to need doing every 3 years or so. Good opportunity to oil the wiper joints for smooth quiet operation.
 
Back
Top