Windscreen Drains - where are they?

[MCV2O]

Hello,

Just wanting to know where the drains are for rain/water that goes down below the windscreen? Mine appear clogged and water is leaking inside over the blower fan relays and fuse box.

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

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EDIT: We call them Winscreens in Australia... but you guys in the US call them Windshields

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by MCV2O

Hello,

Just wanting to know where the drains are for rain/water that goes down below the windscreen? Mine appear clogged and water is leaking inside over the blower fan relays and fuse box.

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

I would be surprised if they are blocked... you may have rust damage causing the leak.

That said, the drains are located on each side behind the fenders, about the height of the top door hinge. You can get in there to see what's going on by removing the fender liner and the bolts that hold the rear lower section of the quarter panel in place. Clean out all the leaves at the bottom of the quarter panel while you are in there (that part should be yearly maintenance). You can also pop off the plastic covers at the base of the windshield and look/feel around in there for any debris.

-Charlie

[MCV2O]

Originally Posted by white90dx

I would be surprised if they are blocked... you may have rust damage causing the leak.

That said, the drains are located on each side behind the fenders, about the height of the top door hinge. You can get in there to see what's going on by removing the fender liner and the bolts that hold the rear lower section of the quarter panel in place. Clean out all the leaves at the bottom of the quarter panel while you are in there (that part should be yearly maintenance). You can also pop off the plastic covers at the base of the windshield and look/feel around in there for any debris.

-Charlie

I think you meant, "I wouldn't be surprised...."

I ended up taking the fenders off both sides as my hands aren't small enough and was fiddly. This way I can see exactly what it's doing and can go about fixing it and having plenty of room.

The drains were blocked and here are some nice photos (might help someone too)...:







See all those lovely leaves and twigs? Well once I removed them, I discovered a rusty whole about the size of a dime and this was letting the waterfall of water into the car which was running over the blower fan relays.

[white90dx]

No, I am surprised they were blocked... check all the vents at the base of the windshield to make sure they are in place and that the plastic grill and the metal screens are still good. I don't know of any way that leaves/needles/etc. can get in there otherwise.

The base of the fender is another story - things can get down there through the top corner of the fender pretty easily...

-Charlie

[MCV2O]

Originally Posted by white90dx

No, I am surprised they were blocked... check all the vents at the base of the windshield to make sure they are in place and that the plastic grill and the metal screens are still good. I don't know of any way that leaves/needles/etc. can get in there otherwise.

-Charlie

Thanks Charlie!

Well here's the thing. The only parts I have under the windscreen are the Plastic Grills (no metal screens). Do you have a photo of these and are the attached to the grills or body?

I think previous owner may have removed them as he also pulled the dash apart to take out heater core and put dash back with no new core

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by MCV2O

Thanks Charlie!

Well here's the thing. The only parts I have under the windscreen are the Plastic Grills (no metal screens). Do you have a photo of these and are the attached to the grills or body?

I think previous owner may have removed them as he also pulled the dash apart to take out heater core and put dash back with no new core

Sounds like the PO is the kind of person that would 'fix' clogged intake screens by removing them...

The screen is attached to the plastic parts. You should be able to find good ones at a junkyard, and they are pretty easy to pop out.

-Charlie

[MCV2O]

Originally Posted by white90dx

Sounds like the PO is the kind of person that would 'fix' clogged intake screens by removing them...

Hehehe ... yeah I think you hit the nail on the head there

Anyhow... this is what I have done as a fix until the car becomes destined for the grave.

• Wire brushed as much of the rust as possible
• Treated it with 3M Rust Converter & Primer
• Then applied 3M Cold Gal Primer
• Used Flyscreen to cover up hole
• Applied Sikaflex 227 to bond FS to metal and smothered it in the stuff!
• No more hole!
  

Also liberally use 227 to reseal any old sealant that looked a bit dodgy.