Fiat Ducato 2010 2.3 130 windscreen water drain (1 Viewer)

[R2C2]

When it rains, water from the windscreen runs along the wide gutter (containing the wipers) and into a pipe at the end of the gutter on the driver's side. The pipe wends its way down past various obstactacles, and has at least one right-angle bend with a kink in it. The water is supposed to drain out just inside the front wheel arch. The problem is that it gets blocked very easily. A couple of times I've managed to clear it with a long piece of wire and a lot of patience, and I've also tried mains water pressure (I don't have a pressure washer). What I need is a way of preventing this from happening, probably by diverting the pipe so it's straighter, but as RHD Ducato owners will know, it's horribly cluttered down there. The main result of the problem (as well as other water ingress, I think) is corrosion to various parts of the engine, especially the alternator that has had to be replaced recently - the water pours down over it when the pipe is blocked.
My searches on MHF don't yield any results, surprisingly, because I'm sure it must be a common problem. Can anyone point me to a relevant post/thread, or give me some tips on how to deal with it? If not, I'll try to devise my own solution but I'd rather know what others have done.
Thank you in anticipation,
RG

 

[R2C2]

Aha! This post has done the trick already I think! I should have searched for 'scuttle drain'.
Unless anyone would like to add to that topic I'll have a look and see if it gives me what I need.

 

[Two on Tour]

I fitted one of the PaulandChrissy scuttle drain kits.

Scuttle Drain Pipe Kits for Ducato

Fit Ducato Scuttle drains are notoriously inadequate with their drains. They are far too small and get clogged far too frequently . SO. This is my PETG 3D printed windscreen scuttle drainage kit for Fiat Ducato X250 vans 2006-2014. Drainage holes are...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[R2C2]

I fitted one of the PaulandChrissy scuttle drain kits.

Scuttle Drain Pipe Kits for Ducato

Fit Ducato Scuttle drains are notoriously inadequate with their drains. They are far too small and get clogged far too frequently . SO. This is my PETG 3D printed windscreen scuttle drainage kit for Fiat Ducato X250 vans 2006-2014. Drainage holes are...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Thank you Two on Tour...and it does the job?
How does it drain the water away from engine?

 

[R2C2]

Thank you Two on Tour...and it does the job?
How does it drain the water away from engine?

Sorry, Two on Tour, I've had a look at your link and I see more or less how it works - looks good - belt and braces!

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[Two on Tour]

The bigger bore drains work well at clearing water and do not block as easy as the original ones did, plus the longer hoses drain further down the inner wheel arches.

 

[PaulandChrissy]

Hi There
We are going to the Newbury show this weekend. If you are going we could meet. If not, just PM me and I can post you a kit.
Cheers PaulandChrissy
Have a look on my Little website to see all the Ducato water issues I make bits for.
motorhome3Dprints.com

 

[Jim Schush]

It might also be worth checking that your windscreen is sealed properly at the bottom we’re it attaches to wipers/ drain area.
Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay derived motorhomes/ PVC’s (not A class) can and do leak. It was a big issue on the early vans but it is also bad on newer vans.
The original design for managing water to run off on these vans is crap, Water ingress into the bonnet area can and is disastrous and the damage it can do will cost thousands to repair if you can find a mechanic to actually diagnose the fault correctly
Next time you’re in the van and it’s raining just watch how much water is running down your windscreen especially if you’re slightly nose down. A modest motorhome has a roof surface area of approximately 18 square metres, couple that with the British weather with heavy rain ( not forgetting freezing in the winter) and you could have a potential problem.
As well as keeping your drain holes clear make sure your windscreen is well sealed!

 

[Stag man]

Totally agree with comments in post#8
A few members on here have also sealed the joint between the base of the windscreen glass and the edge of the scuttle, this can also let water run into the engine bay. The ‘fix’ is to span the windscreen/scuttle joint with tape. I used black electrical tape which I might need to change every year or so.
Also look very carefully underneath the RH wiper, there should be a small hole drilled thro the plastic scuttle, this frequently blocks with crud and leaves the base of the wiper arm sat in mush
This entire area is designed by people who don’t have a scoobys idea about water

 

[L' Hobo]

While your waiting, why not remove the driver's side front wheel and lining, ( I have replaced these piddling screws with S/S self tapping hexagon headed ones from Screwfix) it's not a difficult job, clear the debris and replace THEN, get stainless steel pan scourer, cut in half and stuff it,( so it can be removed and cleaned ) down the scuttle hole stopping rubbish get down the drain.
(It does need another drain on the other side because, remember, these are foreign designed vehicles and the British road camber is in the opposite direction.)

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[R2C2]

Hi There
We are going to the Newbury show this weekend. If you are going we could meet. If not, just PM me and I can post you a kit.
Cheers PaulandChrissy
Have a look on my Little website to see all the Ducato water issues I make bits for.
motorhome3Dprints.com

Many thanks for your help, PaulandChrissy - we're in touch by email and I'm working out the best solutions.

 

[R2C2]

It might also be worth checking that your windscreen is sealed properly at the bottom we’re it attaches to wipers/ drain area.
Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay derived motorhomes/ PVC’s (not A class) can and do leak. It was a big issue on the early vans but it is also bad on newer vans.
The original design for managing water to run off on these vans is crap, Water ingress into the bonnet area can and is disastrous and the damage it can do will cost thousands to repair if you can find a mechanic to actually diagnose the fault correctly
Next time you’re in the van and it’s raining just watch how much water is running down your windscreen especially if you’re slightly nose down. A modest motorhome has a roof surface area of approximately 18 square metres, couple that with the British weather with heavy rain ( not forgetting freezing in the winter) and you could have a potential problem.
As well as keeping your drain holes clear make sure your windscreen is well sealed!

Yes, good point, thank you. My initial concern is to avoid the main (standard, large bore) drain from blocking. I do take note of the other factors too - yes a huge amount of water is channelled from the roof, down the windscreen and then under the bonnet if any of the drains or seals are not working. This summer's project I think.

 

[R2C2]

While your waiting, why not remove the driver's side front wheel and lining, ( I have replaced these piddling screws with S/S self tapping hexagon headed ones from Screwfix) it's not a difficult job, clear the debris and replace THEN, get stainless steel pan scourer, cut in half and stuff it,( so it can be removed and cleaned ) down the scuttle hole stopping rubbish get down the drain.
(It does need another drain on the other side because, remember, these are foreign designed vehicles and the British road camber is in the opposite direction.)

Thank you for that, L'Hobo - I was already working on the best way to prevent stuff from going in top of the drain so that's great advice. And I'll have a look under the lining in the front wheel arch. Everyone's being very helpful - what else to expect from MHF! Thanks all!