Scuttle Saga

[vin0114]

First of all my thanks to Techno100 for his postings on this x250 design debacle. My newly acquired 2011 Autotrail has had water sitting in both scuttles after rain because of the silly undersize drains getting blocked. I cleaned out both scuttles 3 weeks ago but noticed that once again the drains were clogged again. The offside scuttle houses the offside windscreen wiper where it connects to the spindle and the photo below shows paint bubbling on the connecting wiper arm.

On removing the spindle cap this is what greeted me.

Had quite a time getting the wiper arm off and then removed the drain and opened out the hole with this item.

I found that using Techno's nozzle idea was a really good tight fit so no sealant required.

Hardest job was getting the garden hose fitted to the nozzle and finding an exit slot over the front wheel. I've left the pull tab on if removal later is needed.

After finding a replacement spindle nut, cleaned up scuttle and spindle then greased and reassembled. Will repeat on nearside scuttle.

 

[vin0114]

good to know everyones already sorted theirs. Thanks Techno100.

 

[DBK]

Did you paint the edges of the hole after you opened it out?

 

[vin0114]

Did you paint the edges of the hole after you opened it out?

not necessary, its plastic. did you think the scuttles were metal? glad they weren't

 

[laurieash]

I just keep a length of curtain wire the type with plastic coating in my door pocket to give it a poke now and again.
But will sort when out of warranty.

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[vin0114]

I just keep a length of curtain wire the type with plastic coating in my door pocket to give it a poke now and again.
But will sort when out of warranty.

If your still in warranty Fiat will fit you new inproved drainage scuttles.

 

[Gorse Hill]

If your still in warranty Fiat will fit you new inproved drainage scuttles.

Does this affect 63 plate vans?, thought they have resolved the problem
Thks

 

[Neckender]

Mine is a 2014 van and it also had the problems until I read Techno's fix.

John.

 

[vin0114]

Today I sorted the remaining nearside scuttle with Techno's

 

[The Dotties]

@vin0114 ( or any other clever sausage)
Questions if I may.
Did this fix work?
Did you fix with the scuttle in situ?
Where from, and what is the ‘drill’ jobbie called.
I’ve got the situation where I’ve damaged beyond salvation my 2011 Ducato drains from too frequent poking and prodding, and now water has free and easy access to the electrics.

And most importantly, is it easy to do
Cheers
Geoff

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[TheBig1]

@vin0114 ( or any other clever sausage)
Questions if I may.
Did this fix work?
Did you fix with the scuttle in situ?
Where from, and what is the ‘drill’ jobbie called.
I’ve got the situation where I’ve damaged beyond salvation my 2011 Ducato drains from too frequent poking and prodding, and now water has free and easy access to the electrics.

And most importantly, is it easy to do
Cheers
Geoff

Geoff use a conical taper bit, plenty on ebay and its a very easy job to do leaving the plastic scuttle trays in place

 

[The Dotties]

Thanks John. I’ll get one ordered.

 

[mitzimad]

also knonw as step drills

 

[Garfields]

It can be done with an ordinary drill of the size you need
If you remove the finisher over the headlight it gives you more room
Easier to locate the drain tube with the headlight units removed if you find access tight

 

[Garfields]

For some reason I only ever needed to alter the drivers side one
The other has always drained fine and not got clogged

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[vin0114]

@vin0114 ( or any other clever sausage)
Questions if I may.
Did this fix work?
Did you fix with the scuttle in situ?
Where from, and what is the ‘drill’ jobbie called.
I’ve got the situation where I’ve damaged beyond salvation my 2011 Ducato drains from too frequent poking and prodding, and now water has free and easy access to the electrics.

And most importantly, is it easy to do
Cheers
Geoff

@The Dotties yes Geoff it sorted the problem but now have a 2015 Peugeot and big surprise! massive drainage points at both scuttles so no improvement necessary there but have added an extra 100amp leisure battery and 2 x 100w solar panels to match the FUN lifestyle camping 'off grid'.

 

[Vipar]

Thanks all

 

[Gromett]

If you are taking off windscreen wipers get a proper tool for it. Only £7...

Neilsen CT1785 Battery Terminal and Wiper Arm Puller - Black : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

Buy Neilsen CT1785 Battery Terminal and Wiper Arm Puller - Black at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

I had a hell of job getting one wiper off my old bus and a few weeks after refitting it, it flew backwards in heavy rain. No matter what I did I couldn't get it to tighten down.
Once I got where I was going and the rain had stopped a closer inspection revealed the splines were badly mauled. I suspect I had damaged them a little when removing the wiper arm, then on refitting because of this damage couldn't tighten it down enough and this caused them to come loose during high speed operation and totally wrecked the splines.

I bought the above tool, and the removal of windscreen wipers is now literally a 10-15 second job. I bought it because I had to strip down the scuttle on my vivaro to replace all the piping for the washers. I am glad I did as the draining channels which are large were thoroughly blocked with leaf and mud detritus.