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Horizontally Opposed · Alfasud Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 44 Location: Greece

Ok, today for the second time after 3 months I found a nice pool of water on the driver's side floor after washing my series 3!
Once again the entire fusebox (fuses, relays, circuit board etc) is wet and I've been spending hours trying to dry everything up...

From what I can see, I think the water is coming in from the driver's side vent!

Can anyone please give me some info as to where the air for the side vents is coming from??
Lately they've been bringing a lot of leaves and dust inside the car and I'm thinking there's something wrong with them.

Thanks very much!

bobbber · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:07 pm Post subject:

Put the bonnet up, and remove the wipers, and remove the black surrounding panel.

Look under here.

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

gritsop · Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Air comes from the grille under the wipers. Left to the servo brake (as seen inside the car) there is a rubber tube that comes from the dashboard side and gets into the wheel arch.

Take also a look under the front wheelarch and you will see a small area that looks like being inflated. (σαν μικρό εξόγκωμα) description in Greek Wink

This is the area that water actually pours on the road. All you have to do is take out this tube and clean it from leaves, dirt etc. However if you want to do better job take out the wiper grill and patiently remove all the stuff that blocks the way. As a result it creates puddle inside the wiper mechanism and eventually drains inside the cabin.

Generally doing it once per year after summer, will never do you any problems.
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

Horizontally Opposed · Alfasud Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 44 Location: Greece

Thanks very much bob and gritsop Smile

I tried to take out the plastic grille but it seems impossible without breaking the plastic rivets that hold it in place.
I remember there was a post about that but noone had a very good answer to it.
Any good ideas?

gritsop · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:33 am Post subject:

Hi,

Be very careful with these rivets - as long as you are careful you won't break anything.

This is the only way to clean everything up.

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

bobbber · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject:

Those rivets just break off.

I've replaced them with shiny screws! (You can't see them when the bonnet's down anyway - as long as you only break the bottom ones!)

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

icky · Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:23 am Post subject:

Hi,

Check the seal around the Air Con/Heater... and the grommets as well. Also if you do have air con make sure that the little black hose at the bottom of the unit actually exits the cabin through the floor and not hanging loose like mine did. Crying or Very sad

Cheers..

truepiece · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 4:22 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Every time it rained, I would find lots of water on the floor and the fuse holder etc.
Removed all dust and leaves from inside the grill, but it wouldn't make any difference.

After disassembling the plastic part under the steering column and removing the fuse holder,
I found out that the water came in from the hole that the bonnet-opening cable passes through.
The small rubber boot that seals the hole was out of its place.

Sealed the place using epoxic resin and no more water inside Cool

Horizontally Opposed · Alfasud Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 44 Location: Greece

Hey truepiece!
I'll have to look for that rubber boot!
Thanks very much Smile