Scuttle Drains

[Guest karimata]

Hi

 

As with the majority of Galaxy owners there is water getting in and soaking the passenger footwell,

I've read the forum messages and I can rule out the leaking rear washer pipe that runs alongside the sill of the car

I am fairly sure it is due to inefficient clearing of water as it is particularly bad after rainfall, even when the car has not been used.

It seems that other owners have managed to rectify this by cleaning out the scuttle drains.

I have removed the plastic bulkhead cover to gain easier access but I am not too clear where the rainfall is supposed to go. You can see on the rear firewall the pollen filter, which is dry, but underneath that running the entire width of the bulkhead is a sponge material, which is soaking.

I can't understand the purpose of this material as where it is situated seems to be where the rain would run off, to the left and right hand side of the vehicle. I can't see how this can possibly remain dry?

The plastic bulkead cover has channels in it but from what I can see, these would only direct the rainwater back towards the bulkhead.

Can anyone give advice on exactly what needs clearing and the best way to do it?

 

Many thanks-

 

Jim

[Topbloke]

there have been various question's about the same problem try searching for threads when you do find them it seem's that curtain wire is the best for clearing them out

[Topbloke]

try looking at nsterrys question on leaks there is just the answer you are looking for :lol:

[Guest nimrod]

underneath that running the entire width of the bulkhead is a sponge material, which is soaking.

I can't understand the purpose of this material as where it is situated seems to be where the rain would run off, to the left and right hand side of the vehicle. I can't see how this can possibly remain dry?

Are you saying that the void area below the pollen filter and wiper mech is one large sponge? if so is it removable? if it is take it out and you should then be able to see the drain holes?

the only sponges I'm aware of that were fitted in this area were in an attempt to keep the drain holes clear of debri by acting as a filter and stopping the muck passing through it and only allowing the water to

the plastic bulkheads job is to keep the water of the engine and to deaden the noise from the engine, its shaped to direct the water into the area under the wiper mech and from there it passes out through the scuttle drains

[seatkid]

The sponge material is Ford's pathetic attempt to stop blocked drains. Pull it out to get to the drains (and clean the sponge if you want to put it back). Drains are in the far corners.

 

Note the hole in the foreground provides extra drainage to unknown destination :lol:

[Guest karimata]

Thanks for your help

I'll be removing the sponge then.

Thanks for the picture Seatkid I can now see what needs to be done.

J.

[djacks42]

I had to tackle this over the w/e. I have already had to replace the locking module when I bought the vehicle, but it's only last week I have got the dreaded wet nearside carpet.

 

For other Shalaxy newbi, to recap all the good advice elsewhere on this site..

 

Loosened off the wheelarch liners to get to the one-way drainage flaps. Note, the vehicle doesn't need jacking up and only rearmost 3 or 4 screws need removing on both sides. Also, the off-side has a filter assy which can be pushed to one side by removing a lower nut and an upper screw. Once I got to the flaps, I pulled them out and got a load of water down my arm! The flaps were indeed clogged up with goo - very encouraging I thought. Flaps went straight in the bin.

 

Also, looking at the plastic cowl panel, it doesn't guide the water to the holes very well. In fact, on the nearside, the vane that sticks up has a 1 inch section that can allow water to pass, so I fashoined a joining bit out of sealer, and added another vane behind it to stop flow into the bottom right hand side of the pollen filter. Fingers crossed this week.

 

I also investigated the washer tube under the nearside door scuff plate, but I could not find a join anywhere - even up under the dash. However, I could see no water gushing out when operated so I guess this is ok.

[Guest karimata]

Well I think (hope) that I've cleaned the drains sufficiently well to stop the leak.

It is a bit difficult to say for sure with all the dry weather we've been having (for some reason hosepipes and watering cans never really replicated the problem).

Just invested in a new module for under the passenger seat.

[Guest karimata]

Disaster

 

Downpour of rain last night and the car is soaked through again.

Just fitted new module under passenger seat which is hopefully ok.

 

The scuttle drains are clear.

The rear washer pipe is ok.

 

What else can it be?

 

Rapidly losing my patience with this car...

[charles]

in portugal it never rains?

[Topbloke]

Don't know if this will be any help but do you have a sun roof if so wind it back and look in both front corners there are drain holes don't know exactly where they end up exiting the vehicle but usually front wings/ sill area you could try pouring water into said hole and see if your feet get wet B)

[Guest karimata]

At last its fixed....

 

Thanks for all your help but in the end had to take it to the local VW Audi garage to get the leak sorted.

 

And they struggled- the car had to go back on several occasions as the leak had evaded even them. Makes me feel a bit better as I spent ages trying to sort this one out myself. But eventually they found the problem-

 

For all of you experiencing similar problems:

 

Check your passenger door seal. It may look ok but it weakens over time and does not press against the jamb properly

 

Silicone seal everything, particularly in areas near the A frame pillar

 

Check sunroof drains (as TopBloke suggested)

 

And of couse clean those scuttle drains with flexible plastic rods

 

 

Best of luck...

[Guest Paul Collins]

Put some spacers under the central locking module. I found that a couple of 8mm nyloc nuts fitted over the studs and lifted the module up a bit.

 

Paul