Car - Door water leak fix - Skoda Fabia

The rear door on both sides were passing the water, which was gathering under the carpet, the windows were steamed or frozen (depending on the weather) inside the car. I decided to do something about it. I did the test run on the other door and decided to record my steps while solving the issue 2nd time. My main concerns were the need to drill out the rivets, how to fix the panel back in place and what kind of seal to use.

[@hamish_easener_racing]

I did this and water is still coming in, any thoughts on where else the water leak could be coming from?

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, It's hard to say without looking. Normally water always comes inside the door as the seal between glass and door is not perfect and should come out at the bottom of the door. The seal prevents the water to come inside the car. If you have a water gathering in the footwell, it is possible that drains outside your windshield are blocked and the water is coming through air vents. Check for leafs and other debris. Good luck and best regards SMI

[@HacksFFS]

In the end I had to seal off all holes with silicone. So also the little holes to which you attach the doorpanel etc. Not the most beautiful solution, but it worked.

[@nathaliealdridge1679]

Thank you. Very useful

[@shedmadein4115]

I'm glad it helped you. Thanks :)

[@balintmajzik4868]

very useful and detailed thx

[@shedmadein4115]

Thank you.

[@DataLog]

Thank you! I saw versions with bolts on inner panels and everyone removing the door panel very easily. When i tried it, every clip but one broke, and I can't seem to get the panel unstuck from the window, and inner panel is riveted lol. What were they thinking? Some versions of the same MK1 car have bolts and some don't... Well, I'm gonna try to unstuck it tomorrow...

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, Thanks for your comment. I hope you managed to complete your work by now. My car is 2005 and has got rivets on inner panel, older models have got bolts. I do not know exactly when the change took place but friend has got Fabia from 2001 and it has got bolts. The plastic clips are very brittle and break during removal. I believe that with some more practice and maybe better tools it is possible to remove them with more luck. I also did not mange to save many on my doors. The panel seems to have good grip on the door. I used WD40 where I could reach. It's not very clearly shown in the video (as I was fed up with a panel) but at 2:45 I'm showing the stick which I slid beneath the panel and hit it from the bottom. You can see the end of the stick in handle cavity. Need to be careful with plastics and the end of the stick can be wrapped with rug. Keep the panel as close to the door as possible and eventually with a bit of determination it should come off. Good luck and best regards :) SMI

[@bartvansuijlekom6049]

Where did you get the black rivets you use, and what are the dimensions of it? My fabia has the same problem and I want to fix it but mine has also rivets

[@shedmadein4115]

Hi, ebay....100pcs 6mm Plastic Push Rivets Car Door Fastener Trim Panel Retainer Clip Black. Best regards SMI

[@HacksFFS]

Tip: really check the size. Each door can be different. Mine needed 8mm rivets. Worked like a charm though! Thanks

[@Mandic1983]

This is stupid and unnecessary. A car door is not an aquarium full of water that needs to be insulated. nor does the water flow from the inside of the car, the rain falls from the outside. so there is no reason to do all this