skoda fabia with leaking seals

Bogtrotter

Don't know if the layout of the engine bay is similar to my 2002 Passat. When I bought it I had the same problem but it only seemed to be worst on the rear drivers side footwell.

After much investigation I discovered that there is a design flaw... The battery on my car is in the middle of the engine compartment right against the bulkhead below the windscreen. There is a void below the battery with a little drain hole at the bottom. Decayed leaves and gunk can block this drain and the whole void fills with water and while this is slooshing around gets into the air intake/pollen filter of the heating system and eventually emerges through the air vents underneath the front seats.

Easy fix... just remove the plastic cover over the engine, remove the battery use a straightened wire coathanger to unblock the drain hole. Replace battery and cover and drive around for a few days with the heating system full on and the windows down.

As I said that was my problem with a Volkswagen Passat so maybe your problem is completely different but Skodas and Volkswagens are so similar its worth a shot.

Byatt

Lost 2 replies, so starting again!!

Thanks everyone for your help. It does have a sunroof, which was leaking also, but I've fixed that. The coolant was so low 6 weeks ago, it had to be replenished. It seems to be dropping again, as the temp alarm comes on when I first start, although goes off after stopping and starting again. I presume it settles when I have not driven for a day or so. Plus I check it of course. :cool:

Botgtrotter, if that works for my Skoda, I will be so chuffed! You say it's easy, but I know very little. Is it easy enough to remove battery and replace? I don't want to come over as a useless female, but I've never removed a battery before. :o

I do want to learn though and fix what I can, and I feel much happier and in control now. I was kind of burying my head in the sand and ignoring the dripping carpets and condensation on the windows!:eek:

Will check under the bonnet when the rain stops! And keep you updated.

xBubblesx

It could be the usual suspects of a leaking door cards, old pollen filter and filled plenum chamber. Try setting the vents to the footwell when parked at night this should help the condensation.

alcan

I don't think this is anything to do with the engine. Lots of VW Audi cars have this problem, and it's the rubber seals around the doors. Basically they are not watertight, so heavy rain just seeps in. When I took my SEAT back to the dealer to show them this exact problem, they offered to fix the seals for £210 + VAT! Or, they kindly suggested, I could place a towel between the door and the door sill when it rains to soak up the leak. I've done this for the past 2 years (mad as it sounds) and it keeps the problem at bay.
It's crazy, though - it's not as if door seals are a complex item to design.

Bogtrotter

Botgtrotter, if that works for my Skoda, I will be so chuffed! You say it's easy, but I know very little. Is it easy enough to remove battery and replace? I don't want to come over as a useless female, but I've never removed a battery before.

I'm not a mechanical whizz by any stretch on the imagination... I'll even go as far as saying that if I can do it anyone with a full complement of limbs and digits and a couple of basic tools should be able to do it. I more or less followed the guide at weirdlittlebiscuit.com someone more knowledgeable than myself posted (new user here so can't post links if you need full link send me a personal message).

As others have said though there are a few causes of water ingress on Volkswagen/Audi Group cars... this was what caused mine. If you check out any of the Volkswagen/Passat/Golf forums you will find lots of advice and DIY guides for other solutions that will prevent you contributing to the bank account of your local VAG dealership

Flyboy152

How much did you pay for it?

funkycoldribena

Its a common problem on Fabias.
http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical-info/door-carrier-repair/

Byatt

alcan wrote: »

I don't think this is anything to do with the engine. Lots of VW Audi cars have this problem, and it's the rubber seals around the doors. Basically they are not watertight, so heavy rain just seeps in. When I took my SEAT back to the dealer to show them this exact problem, they offered to fix the seals for £210 + VAT! Or, they kindly suggested, I could place a towel between the door and the door sill when it rains to soak up the leak. I've done this for the past 2 years (mad as it sounds) and it keeps the problem at bay.
It's crazy, though - it's not as if door seals are a complex item to design.

I'll give that a try.

I agree in the 21st Century, you'd think door seals would withstand the flood! Do you close the doors on the towels, so they stay in place? Presumably it's coming from the bottom of the seals? Or does it run down?

To be honest, weighing it up, I can manage with the leaks, just hoped there was a solution which I could use myself, now I'm more worried about the coolant disappearing as the warning light is now staying on.

As for what I paid, I'm too embarrassed to say. I think I "was robbed"! :eek:

The bodywork looked good but I was a bit suspicious when I arrived to see it, the owner had the heater on full blast! (back in August :()...

Bogtrotter thanks for the link, I'll have a look.

Funky, thanks for the link also. (edited to add: oooohhhh that's a brilliant link; :T I wonder if I could attempt that myself! :cool:)

Bubbles, what and where are the vents?

Thanks again for all the help.