Windscreen not demisting & water seepage from under dash in passenger footwell

[magicchimp]

Hi

 

Apologies if this has been mentioned before.

 

My 99 T reg 1.6GLXI Octavia Mark I has started playing up with the windscreen demisting.

 

It doesn't fully demist, has water dripping from the box under the passenger side footwell and the cables need to be wiggled to get the blower to function. This evening I turned on the blower and could hear water 'gurgling' from the footwell area.

 

The car isn't worth loads so would be grateful for any ideas as to what this may be to give me an idea of cost before I get a mechanic to have a look. I've ordered a new pollen filter on the offchance that this may help.

 

Any ideas/comments would be gratefully received.

Thanks!

[kentphil1]

When you say box do you mean the footwell vents?, if so, you may have a leaking heater matrix.

[@Lee]

I'd also check for leaf debris etc under the scuttle panel that could be blocking drains.

[kentphil1]

^ ^ +1 on that, can be a real waterfall when the drains block.

[mannyo]

Plus check that the pollen filter cover (under the scuttles, passenger side in the front) has been installed correctly, if it has not then water will be entering the car through the heater air intake.

[magicchimp]

When you say box do you mean the footwell vents?, if so, you may have a leaking heater matrix.

Could be - when I pull back the cover in the passenger footwell then water (or a water like liquid) is dripping down from the unit.

 

I'll have a look to see if there are any visible blockages and see if the pollen filter helps, but will also check out the heater matrix if none of those look like they are a problem.

 

Thanks all for the responses.

[kentphil1]

Could be - when I pull back the cover in the passenger footwell then water (or a water like liquid) is dripping down from the unit.

 

I'll have a look to see if there are any visible blockages and see if the pollen filter helps, but will also check out the heater matrix if none of those look like they are a problem.

 

Thanks all for the responses.

To be honest, if you rule out the other options, and the car is not of high value, if it looks like the heater matrix, it may be worth trying some Barrs leaks in the system, as a matrix change is not funny to do.

 

If you get some of the fluid on to your finger, does it smell sweet, as antifreeze usually smells sweet.

[pikpilot]

I'd also check for leaf debris etc under the scuttle panel that could be blocking drains.

 

The water from the scuttle comes out behind the mud flaps. Leaves etc from the scuttle form a nice pile of leaf mould there which can stop water flowing out.

 

It is possible to bend the flap forward a bit to try to clean it out. A hose pipe up there also helps. But if it is really blocked it is better to take off the wing liner to do it properly. I used to clean mine out with a hose about twice year and always in the spring. You would be amazed how much comes out if you live near trees.

[karlbar2k]

do you have a sunroof?  water can come in from a few places on the octy, I know, I have had most of them worst one was when a drain off the sunroof came off. hardest one to fix was the pollen filter cover.  I cleaned it out resealed it and still had a problem.  final fix was the use of Spray can of waxoil all around the scuttle panel next to the filter casing as the underseal was split.