shahk62
06-06-2016, 05:05 PM
So as the topic suggests my car was parked outside during some rather ridiculous rains in Sydney over the weekend and when I got into the car I could see a trickle of water pouring in through the passenger (left side) footwell from one of the vents. Unfortunately this has been happening for a few hours by the time I found and that meant the carpets were soaked with a half inch puddle in the back left corner. Since this experience was a PItA I thought I'd write up a little how to unblock the drain so hopefully none of you have this lovely wet carpet to deal with.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/1c61415aa9583b1e71f5f068002ee6ac.jpg
Just to clarify how this happens, when the water drains off your windshield it drains into an area where the battery is. Normally there's a drain under it which will mean the water just flows out. But if it gets blocked that area will flood and depending on the angle the car is parked (uphill) it will overflow and find its way into the filter which you can see on the right.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/2d5a5466dc656360eb3d00dc5ee11434.jpg
So to unblock/ clean first take the battery terminals off (10mm wrench), the rubber weather strip (pull) & the rain cover on the right as you face the back of the car.
Then if you shine a torch down the front of the battery after pulling away the foam wiring conduit (big and chunky thing. You'll need to hold it since it isn't too flexible you will see a 6mm Allen head bolt. You'll need about 6inches of a 1/4" drive extension as there isn't too much room there and undo the bolt until very loose but don't remove completely (makes it hard to reinstall). Once you do lift the battery out. If it isn't lifting then just loosen that bolt a Little more.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/a5c58dde24c91dee0aa03ed6790eccaf.jpg
^ pretty gross
Next up is to undo the bracket where the battery used to sit. This is a 13mm socket and 1/4 inch drive job (or a 13mm wrench if you want to take your time). I started out with the wrench but realised soon after there's enough space for a socket.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/39dce1e1ed61aff13beb479f90d5843f.jpg
Once you undo both bolts remove the bracket you'll see a rubber filler (I've removed in my pics) which you can pull out and clean. Also worthwhile cleaning the surrounding area while you're at it.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/dce84abe4648c38d3ecf426b2a7acebf.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/41d139d6792feb3f0718807b1625d201.jpg
Once you're done do it back in reverse and feel confident that you won't have your cabin flooded
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/1c61415aa9583b1e71f5f068002ee6ac.jpg
Just to clarify how this happens, when the water drains off your windshield it drains into an area where the battery is. Normally there's a drain under it which will mean the water just flows out. But if it gets blocked that area will flood and depending on the angle the car is parked (uphill) it will overflow and find its way into the filter which you can see on the right.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/2d5a5466dc656360eb3d00dc5ee11434.jpg
So to unblock/ clean first take the battery terminals off (10mm wrench), the rubber weather strip (pull) & the rain cover on the right as you face the back of the car.
Then if you shine a torch down the front of the battery after pulling away the foam wiring conduit (big and chunky thing. You'll need to hold it since it isn't too flexible you will see a 6mm Allen head bolt. You'll need about 6inches of a 1/4" drive extension as there isn't too much room there and undo the bolt until very loose but don't remove completely (makes it hard to reinstall). Once you do lift the battery out. If it isn't lifting then just loosen that bolt a Little more.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/a5c58dde24c91dee0aa03ed6790eccaf.jpg
^ pretty gross
Next up is to undo the bracket where the battery used to sit. This is a 13mm socket and 1/4 inch drive job (or a 13mm wrench if you want to take your time). I started out with the wrench but realised soon after there's enough space for a socket.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/39dce1e1ed61aff13beb479f90d5843f.jpg
Once you undo both bolts remove the bracket you'll see a rubber filler (I've removed in my pics) which you can pull out and clean. Also worthwhile cleaning the surrounding area while you're at it.
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/dce84abe4648c38d3ecf426b2a7acebf.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/41d139d6792feb3f0718807b1625d201.jpg
Once you're done do it back in reverse and feel confident that you won't have your cabin flooded
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk