Technical Sound of water sloshing around when turning

[Theleman]

That is my this weekend project

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I removed one of my duck bills to clean it. It now simply sits in the hole because I could not get the flange in place. I have no engine smells ever.

Me too. It's just sitting in the hole but not sealed - No smells

 

[portland_bill]

My new ones seemed slightly smaller than the holes, so fit easily, but do not seal completely. The engine should not produce fumes, as the breathing system should be sealed, as is the exhaust, but if any fumes are produced, it will get into the cabin. The cause should then be addressed immediately, not worry too much about the duckbills preventing the effect.

The duckbills usually perform another job, to direct water away from the bulkhead, so it drains to the ground, not soaking into sound insulation, or sitting in traps to create rust. (Or for some Puntos, not into the alternator) So leaving them out altogether could lead to problems elsewhere.

 

[DaveMcT]

@ Portland Bill where did you get your new duckbills?

If it really bothers you, cut the flange off the lower side of the grommet and glue the duckbill in place with body panel acrylic sealant. That stuff is tough but it will tear away if you ever need to remove the duckbill.

After that, hose it out every time the car is washed so dirt wont build up.

 

[Theleman]

When I put the fan on in the car dashboard, and rotated the vent directing knob to the position where the AIR directs to the lower part (footwell) way, I could actually sense the fume.

So yes, the duckbill must be doing the critical job = blocking the fume coming into the cabin.

I was away over the weekend, so the duckbill had not been cleaned and put back to the car. Still sitting in the garden.

But maybe it need to do it sooner or later. I thought the duckbill was hanging on something in the bonnet when I pulled it out. I couldn't tell how it will go back and get attached to the right spot in proper way.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Vehicle manufacturers, and Fiat especially, do not like to spend money unnecessarily. If Fiat put these there, they need to be there. Otherwise they'd have saved 20p per vehicle.

Thats the theory but in practice I cant see they do more than keep debris at bay. Like DaveMcT I had one loose for an age. its finally back in place after a years worth of occasional bouts of fiddling. In the mean time I have never notice any thing different in terms of what get wet. Maybe it stops water running down the bulk head as much.

 

[The Panda Nut]

When I put the fan on in the car dashboard, and rotated the vent directing knob to the position where the AIR directs to the lower part (footwell) way, I could actually sense the fume.

So yes, the duckbill must be doing the critical job = blocking the fume coming into the cabin.

I was away over the weekend, so the duckbill had not been cleaned and put back to the car. Still sitting in the garden.

But maybe it need to do it sooner or later. I thought the duckbill was hanging on something in the bonnet when I pulled it out. I couldn't tell how it will go back and get attached to the right spot in proper way.

Any fume smells are a sign something else is wrong. Probably the crank case breather pipes. The little one (known as the big breather hose by Fiat) can be detached and will cause fumes and its not easily noticed. If the short but fatter hose is off you will get a lot of smell.

 

[The Panda Nut]

When I put the fan on in the car dashboard, and rotated the vent directing knob to the position where the AIR directs to the lower part (footwell) way, I could actually sense the fume.

So yes, the duckbill must be doing the critical job = blocking the fume coming into the cabin.

I was away over the weekend, so the duckbill had not been cleaned and put back to the car. Still sitting in the garden.

But maybe it need to do it sooner or later. I thought the duckbill was hanging on something in the bonnet when I pulled it out. I couldn't tell how it will go back and get attached to the right spot in proper way.

The trick is push it back through (up)and then gently pull it back out one end at a time when the first end clips into place, VERY gently pull the other end down The fit is abysmal. My OCD streak wont let me run without them but my head says they are utterly pointless.