C5 Scuttle drains

[MikeT]

My screen froze the other morning - on both sides.

Where might I find the scuttle drain entrances on my C5 as I suspect they need rodding?

I've read previous advice to clear them from the exits but I'm in no condition to tackle that, unfortunately.
Otherwise I'll have to take it to a garage.

[Gibbo2286]

I'd go out and have a look at mine Mike but it's persisting down out there

That's the sort of job that I would have done free gratis if a customer had called at my garage, maybe you have a local small garage who would do the same.

[admiral51]

Mike if i can find 30 mins i will be more than happy to come and clean them out when you find where they are located ( yes i know they are on the car )

[MikeT]

Thanks lads. I've got one of those corkscrew-ended, spirally, long, sink drain, flexy wires that might work (if it fits). I Just don't relish the inevitable crippling back pains of hunting for the holes first.

[Gibbo2286]

If it doesn't fit a curtain wire will.

[MikeT]

I think I spotted what could be a plugged drain hole on the nearside (couldn't see at all on the o/s) but my drain wire is too flimsy to direct toward it. Need something more rigid like a whip antenna.
Although there was no pooled water I could see, it did look like the area had just been freshly hosed down (despite it not raiining for over 24hours) as everything was covered in water drops and more worryingly, there's some thick, cloth-covered trunking that looks absolutely soaked, possibly wicking into the interior.

[myglaren]

Piano wire might do it.
Our local DIY place used to stock it but I haven't been there for ages, however, B&Q do and also eBay.

[MikeT]

I've fished out my old CB aerial but I doubt it's long enough to reach the far end of the drain. I envisaged visiting B&Q for materials but didn't realise they sell piano wire, Steve. I also thought some welding wire might work too as I have spool of that somewhere.
Whatever is used, it also has to withstand compression as I imagine the crud in there is pretty well compacted.

[myglaren]

My car is always parked under trees and the scuttle filled with leaves, spinny-jinnies, cherries and once a dead chick.
Have to clear it out almost daily in summer & autumn.

When I hose it down or jet wash it I always take particular care to blast out the scuttle and see that the water runs freely out of the drains as I really don't want to have to crawl under the car and poke them out as you are having to do.
I do wonder if they are accessible from above.

I haven't had the problem since the GS and that was an inherited problem. Surprising how much crap and water came out from that.

[MikeT]

Popped into Homebase, then realised it's not B&Q - they're in another part of town.

Tried poking my aerial where I thought the hole might be but no joy, it wasn't it. Got the boroscope out and still failed to find any drain hole. Blindly prodding the aerial everywhere and anywhere and think I found the hole but of course, the aerial was too short to push all the way through.

Drove round to B&Q and got a funny look when I asked if they sell piano wire the guy's were helpful after I told of my dilemma but they had nothing suitable to offer of the right length.

So drove to my MOT shop and the mechanic rooted around the spare wheel well and all footwells and declared it all dry, checked the door seals and couldn't find any signs of water ingress, checked the scuttle area and said if they were blocked would expect to see it swimming, which it wasn't - and we'd had an absolute doorpour from 3am to midday today so I'm totally baffled by now.

Decided to shoot off to poundland and bought four damp trap pots that are now residing in the front footwells because I really don't like the feel of a sticky steering wheel I was greeted with this morning! (ooh missus). Then as I got out I noticed the drivers sill was wet on the inner runner as if I hadn't closed my door properly and subsequently drove through a puddle. Hmmm.

[Stickyfinger]

Mike, have you checked your coolant levels ?

[MikeT]

Too scared to, now you've mentioned it!

[GiveMeABreak]

Before you think heater matrix - unblock the door sill holes too - they're another source of water carriers.

[MikeT]

That coincides with the splashed water on the silll, Marc. I'll check them next. Is it a bare hole I'm looking for?

[Paul-R]

You might have to push the door seal over a little bit to expose the hole. I had to do this for one of the doors on the 308 where, although I wasn't getting water ingress, the door made sloshing noises when it was opened and closed! I had to keep the seal held back for about 30s while it emptied.