Hi, This is my first post as i am a first time skoda owner. Very pleased with my X reg Fabia elegance 1.4 16v! I have been enjoying this great site and forum.

The only problem is a water leak from under and behind the glove box which happenned driving for 10 minutes the day after a heavy downpour. The water is clean (no coolant/oil) and it doesnt seem to be the common problem reported on Briskoda about door seals. the insulation is now saturated and there are wires running where it is wet which worries me!

My (reliable) local independant didnt seem too keen to spend hours diagnosing the leak, Has anyone had a similar problems so i could point him in the right direction?

The car still has a month on the approved used warranty as it was bought from a bloke who had it for 11 months but the dealer is a 2 hour drive from me! Can warranties be claimed from any Skoda dealer? (i am guessing not...)

Any advice would be a great help..

Ben

I would think that leaves have blocked the drain holes under the scuttle cover (black plastic bit under the windscreen). When it rains hard the water can't escape through the blocked holes quick enough and gets into the cabin through the heater air intake, which is behind the glovebox. Open the bonnet , remove the fixings and lift the front edge of the cover and you should be able to clear the drains on both sides. Hope that helps

heater matrix!

Thanks for the replies- great help. Not worked out how to take off the scuttle cover yet but will point the garage in that direction.

Whilst looking at it i have found that where the scuttle cover meets the windscreen on that left side, there is a gap where it has come away. Could that be the source of the leak?

Looking at the smallprint of the warranty, it says that it does not cover wear and tear and considering mine is an early Fabia (2000) i guess seals could be included in wear and tear at that age?

Thanks in anticipation

Ben

I had exactly the same problem and went through the hassle of removing the scuttle cover only for it to make no difference! In the end it was the rubber drain in the engine bay which had just become bunged up and the sides had stuck together stopping it from opening. Might be worth checking that first as it takes a lot less effort!

The rubber drain is on the back wall of the engine bay, below the air pipe between the filter box and the engine. Just stick your fingers up it to clear any debris.

I think that makes sense .. can post a pic if necessary.

Are you sure it's not the washer pipe?

Drop the glovebox down and see what you can see.

Scuttle removal is wipers off, prise off the black plastic clips and pull it away from the windscreen. You'll almost certainly break the clips - part number on my website.

There are 2 rubber drains from the scuttle to the engine bay, 1 (as woolyfoot said) on the left side of the engine bay as you look at it, just to the left of and below the brake fluid resevoir (it's round).

The other drain is below and slightly to the left of the ECU on the other side of the car (it's square).This one was blocked on my car, but only found it after I'd knackered the 3 scuttle cover clips.

I was getting water through below the glovebox; only just unblocked the drain, so can't tell you if it worked.

jacko

Quote from one of my previous posts, I had exactly the same problem as you describe with heavy rain and water pouring out whn the blowers were on...

As for the rear doors, yes, dealer sorted it for free and said its a common fault with the metal plates that are in the doors not sealing correctly - he did say he put in new parts but I guess it would of been cheaper for him to just re seal it. Either way its sorted now.

The front passenger footwell leak was caused by leaves clogging up an air vent forcing water to build up. When I turned a corner it all gushed out into the front passenger footwell. Heres what I have written on my invoice:

Remove wiper arms

Remove wiper cover

Clean out leaves

Clean rubber grommets

Replace wiper cover

Test for leaks - all ok

Dried carpets over night

Leave windows slightly open to dry out

Again, Derek Slack's done this free of charge for me

Mike Pembo

HTH

Mike Pembo

I have just had this problem today, it was a blocked drain hole. I went through the process for clearing from the top, however it makes sense to clear from the engine bay on back bulkhead. There is a rubber flap that you can pull down then just stick a finger through the hole which will clear blockage. Cant believe I took half hour to do when it could have taken a minute tops.

Thanks for all the replies.

I think i have sorted mine out as there has been some heavy rain recently and no more soaking carpet! When i unblocked it about 1 or 2 litres drained out but much of it went over the components at the back of the engine bay (the ABS control unit i think) which worried me a bit. Is it normal for it to drain down the back of the engine bay?

I have just had this problem today, it was a blocked drain hole. I went through the process for clearing from the top, however it makes sense to clear from the engine bay on back bulkhead. There is a rubber flap that you can pull down then just stick a finger through the hole which will clear blockage. Cant believe I took half hour to do when it could have taken a minute tops.

Are you saying you can clear the drains without removing the scuttle guard?

The maximum voltage in car electrics is 12 volts. (except for petrol engined cars where the spark plugs have 10,000,to 25,000 volts at very low current). You are getting confused with house wiring 0f 230 volts which does'nt like water!. Car wires with water on them are not a problem,unless water gets into a connector ,and starts corrosion, and rusting leading to bad connections.

Are you saying you can clear the drains without removing the scuttle guard?

Can't say for sure but the water exits from this flap which is accessible fromthe engine bay, I see noreason you cannot clear from there rather than from the top.

I've had a water issue once under heavy rain and a BIG! ford. I put it now the a gramet I had removed.

I've had a water issue once under heavy rain and a BIG! ford. I put it now the a gramet I had removed.

What type of ford was it? A transit van?

I had a similar problem with my Fabia ther is a rubber flap at the back of the engine .I cleared it with my fingers and the carpets are now dry.

Anyone got any pictures of the drain flaps?

this would be good to see I will check mine tonight, to make sure there clear.

might be worth some one putting together a monthly service check schedule.

just for preventative maintance.

I had exactly the same problem and went through the hassle of removing the scuttle cover only for it to make no difference! In the end it was the rubber drain in the engine bay which had just become bunged up and the sides had stuck together stopping it from opening. Might be worth checking that first as it takes a lot less effort!

The rubber drain is on the back wall of the engine bay, below the air pipe between the filter box and the engine. Just stick your fingers up it to clear any debris.

I think that makes sense .. can post a pic if necessary.

Hi, I have exactly the same problem on a '01 Fabia but can't exactly locate the drains you mention - could you post your pic please?

Not a great pic .. if you're still stumped, i'll take another with the engine cover off when I'm changing the gearbox oil later this week.

Excellent info on this site! Cheers -

The GF just came in complaining of a water leak just like this and was going to take it straight to a garage!!!!

Sorted in a matter of seconds with this info.

Thanks again.

Fair bit of rain last night and no leak today

Looks like garage was right and it was the heater matrix.

Will check the other parts over the weekend.

Not a great pic .. if you're still stumped, i'll take another with the engine cover off when I'm changing the gearbox oil later this week.

Hi I'm struggling to find these on an Y plate 1.9 TDI....... i'm assuming they are different, can anyne confirm?

Thanks

They should be the same but im not sure. The one on the right of the engine (passenger side) is the easiest to find - just feel about. Its a rubber flap which is on the black material - give it a good poke!

The one on the drivers side I had to find by touch as I couldnt see down there.

Should my fabia vrs have these drains in the engine compartment as I've spent all night trying to locate them with no success. Also if only the rear footwell is wet does this suggest it is blocked drains or a leaky door? How can I tell which it is. Any help would be appreciated

I'm off to poke my Fab's orifice now before the floods start !

preventative maintenance sounds good to me