- May 13, 2024
- 116
- 355
- Funster No
- 103,088
- MH
- Adria Matrix Axess
- Exp
- Caravan since 1983 - Motorhome since 1997
I have had a shuftti around the site, and have found several references, here and there, to what some members identify as 'design faults'.
Getting manufacturers to own up to design faults is 'impossible', unless one has a team of industry orientated legal eagles and an infinite supply of funds.
Notwithstanding, one of he most annoying problems, and one which must surely be accepted as a design fault, is the notorious SEVEL scuttle drainage issue. (Groan?)
The issue was present on my 1997 Autotrail Pawnee (Ducato) , and my Autocruise Vista 200 (Boxer).
Imagine my surprise (LoL) when the same issue was still present, only a lot worse, on my 2013 Adria Matrix Axess ?
The scuttle sections which sit outboard of the windscreen wiper mountings, are isolated from the main drainage, and are individually drained by tiny tubes which direct the water downwards over the front wheels. (if you are lucky, that is).
These tiny drain tubes can be replaced by larger bore tubes, and a modified grommet; indeed, I have done this, but the problem still persists, a single fallen leaf can cover the drain hole and leave the wiper spindle, on the driver's side, sitting in a pool of water.
What is worse, there is meant to be an overlap between the left and right hand sides of the scuttle moulding. Why it is in two halves is odd, maybe it's easier to fit, and probably cheaper ?
Regardless, the two halves on my vehicle barely meet, to the extent that I have had to use 'special' tape and sealant to secure the centre joint, and limit the amount of water that leaks into the engine compartment.
There is no adjustment possible to the scuttle position, as the outboard screw holes are fixed. Elongating these holes would not really be a very good idea.
On my earlier vehicles the water leaked through onto the battery.
Rather than fix the problem, with the lousy scuttle design, a waterproof cover was provided for the battery ?
There is, on the 2013 Ducato, a cover over the engine, but water is still free to make its merry way onto the alternator.
This is not ideal. On a vehicle that is in use on a daily basis, it may be of little concern, but on a vehicle which may stand unloved and unused for months at a time (which mine does not) this could be a cause for concern.
I have a motorhoming colleague who has delved into this issue at great length, and has spent hours devising mods to try to stop the water ingress into the engine compartment.
Looking under his bonnet has novelly value; there are tubes of various shapes, lengths, and sizes all over the place.
Me?
When parked up, I lift the bonnet, and cover the entire engine with a plastic sheet.
Life's too short.
NB.
As yet I have not driven off with the plastic sheet still in place.
PS
Is the issue still present on later models (2014 on) ?
Getting manufacturers to own up to design faults is 'impossible', unless one has a team of industry orientated legal eagles and an infinite supply of funds.
Notwithstanding, one of he most annoying problems, and one which must surely be accepted as a design fault, is the notorious SEVEL scuttle drainage issue. (Groan?)
The issue was present on my 1997 Autotrail Pawnee (Ducato) , and my Autocruise Vista 200 (Boxer).
Imagine my surprise (LoL) when the same issue was still present, only a lot worse, on my 2013 Adria Matrix Axess ?
The scuttle sections which sit outboard of the windscreen wiper mountings, are isolated from the main drainage, and are individually drained by tiny tubes which direct the water downwards over the front wheels. (if you are lucky, that is).
These tiny drain tubes can be replaced by larger bore tubes, and a modified grommet; indeed, I have done this, but the problem still persists, a single fallen leaf can cover the drain hole and leave the wiper spindle, on the driver's side, sitting in a pool of water.
What is worse, there is meant to be an overlap between the left and right hand sides of the scuttle moulding. Why it is in two halves is odd, maybe it's easier to fit, and probably cheaper ?
Regardless, the two halves on my vehicle barely meet, to the extent that I have had to use 'special' tape and sealant to secure the centre joint, and limit the amount of water that leaks into the engine compartment.
There is no adjustment possible to the scuttle position, as the outboard screw holes are fixed. Elongating these holes would not really be a very good idea.
On my earlier vehicles the water leaked through onto the battery.
Rather than fix the problem, with the lousy scuttle design, a waterproof cover was provided for the battery ?
There is, on the 2013 Ducato, a cover over the engine, but water is still free to make its merry way onto the alternator.
This is not ideal. On a vehicle that is in use on a daily basis, it may be of little concern, but on a vehicle which may stand unloved and unused for months at a time (which mine does not) this could be a cause for concern.
I have a motorhoming colleague who has delved into this issue at great length, and has spent hours devising mods to try to stop the water ingress into the engine compartment.
Looking under his bonnet has novelly value; there are tubes of various shapes, lengths, and sizes all over the place.
Me?
When parked up, I lift the bonnet, and cover the entire engine with a plastic sheet.
Life's too short.
NB.
As yet I have not driven off with the plastic sheet still in place.
PS
Is the issue still present on later models (2014 on) ?