Technical Dampness, dampness. dampness

[Swan777]

Constant dampness

Hello, my Fiat 500 (2014) has been to the garage 8!! times to sort out constant dampness, especially passenger foot well. They replaced windscreen washer pipe which was leaking a lot, unclogged drainage holes by the wipers, did multiple hose and power wash tests and said it was ok and dry. Its been raining heavily for the last few days and this morning the passenger foot well side seemed damp again. Not soaking wet but definitely not bone dry. I felt the carpet on the drivers side and at the back and it also seemed wet on touch wet, but less than the passenger side. The mirror was fogged up but it went when I started the fan (no AC in the car). Is this normal? No damp smell so far, but before it went to the garage multiple times, there was a prominent damp smell. I wonder if its the sheer small size of the car that makes the natural moisture that may get in somehow so noticeable? Is it normal for smaller cars to be like that? Should I be worried about a possible rust forming? Worried female here asking Other cars I owned never presented with this constant carpet wetness however small. Thank you

 

[Mike1alike]

That is not normal.
There is the air vent under the windshild. Some cars have the polen filter on there, near the scuttle bay. I saw that at a friend once. He had some work done at the car and they didn't put back the polen filter and the polen filter cover and all the rain dripping down the windshield ended dripping inside the car.
Fiat usually has polen filters inside the cabin but there is the outside ventilation hole. So take a look on that. Pour some water on the windshield and try figuring out how, where does it go inside.

 

[Mike1alike]

PS: it could also be faulty door isolator, so check that out too. Pour water on top of the door, see if that gets in.

 

[Swan777]

PS: it could also be faulty door isolator, so check that out too. Pour water on top of the door, see if that gets in.

Thanks, they did a numerous water tests and said it was all ok, its just so frustrating. The dampness seems to be everywhere now. Not soaking wet, but there.

 

[Mike1alike]

How is your coolant level?
Coolant can leak inside there, if there's a broken pipe or broken heater matrix.

 

[Jockstrap]

The car probably needs to dry out.
Depends on your home arrangements. However, ideally get a heater dehumidifier. Very commonly used in boats especially over winter.

You will or maybe not be surprised how much moisture is left from your earlier leaks.

A heater works but won't of its own get the moisture out of your car.

 

[Mike1alike]

Also, coolant related, how is the engine temperature? Does it stay in range, needle on the middle on the gauge, not overheating?

 

[rmjbn1]

Check the 'duckbill' scuttle drains below the wipers

Even if they've been cleaned out they can block again very easily, especially if there are trees nearby

I remove mine for autumn and winter as they block so often

Other common cause as Mike says is leaking heater matrix

 

[Ralf S.]

I'm hoping it's just residual dampness from the earlier problems.. but some 500s do seem to just leak.

The common ones are the windscreen washer pipe (either split, a disconnected join, or a flow-back valve has failed) and the scuttle drains.

If those are good now, it should dry out if you can park it somewhere where you can leave the windows slightly open and it's in the sun (I know... )

If it gets damp again, then it could have a less common leak. These could be;

1) Through the body seams on the roof. You'll need to lift up the black strips and have a look. Clean out any moss, algae, spiders, mice and dirt and if necessary stick some silicone sealant into the welded joins, anywhere where there's a gap between the panels. Not all "gaps" leak.. (there's seam sealer underneath) but you only need one hole.

2) Through the aerial. Remove the aerial.. silcone sealant.. replace.

3) Most random one I've heard of, the chassis rails that run under the car. Remove the rear bumper seal up the hollow ends to stop water running inside them. As above, it's normal for these to be open ended and not leak.. but you only need one spot where the seam sealer isn't doing its thing.

4) Around the boot lock and/or lights and/or boot seal. It should be bone dry in the boot and inside the spare wheel well.



Ralf S.

 

[Swan777]

How is your coolant level?
Coolant can leak inside there, if there's a broken pipe or broken heater matrix.

I have no idea lol but thanks a lot for your response. Its gone back to the garage now. Thanks again