How to fix Fiat Panda 2003-2012 water leak in footwell wet under pedals

Our Fiat Panda had a wet carpet under the pedals in the drivers side, this is caused by two drains that become blocked over time with debris e.g. leaves, soil and dust etc causing the water ingress which can cause a damp smell and eventually rust to build up. The easy fix is to shove something up these rubber drain plugs from below, however in our video we take the scuttle off to properly access and clear all debris, this scuttle is the plastic trim located below the windscreen and you need a few basic tools to remove it.
If you have one of these cars it's a good idea to make sure the rubber drains are kept clean to avoid any issues, we hope our video is helpful to you and feel free to like/subscribe too thanks!
#fiat #fiatpanda #waterleak #howtofix

[@mister.c4631]

You can literally put your hand underneath where you showed, poke the black drain covers up and pull the black rubber thing out and clear it. It’ll be full of sludge. Mine was. You don’t need to remove anything up top. Cheers for showing the video it helped me work this out

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

true you can, but depends how much crap is above that will then cause the same issue we wanted to do the job properly ours had layers of leaves etc thanks for your comment.

[@dr-loz]

Oh mate, great vid. My Mrs drove off and feet got a deluge from above and footwell was like a bath. Was sooo satisfying cleaning the crud out of those drains. She has a fiat 500.. looks and fix worked the same.. top one.

[@frederikchristensen656]

You just saved me a lot of money! Thank you for this great content!

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

thanks

[@btk1]

Nice one, I remembered I had a similar issue with a LHD mustang I had, same exact cause for water coming in on my feet. Just got my kid a fiat panda and suspected it would be this and a quick search before stripping anything off found this video confirming it. Popped the bonnet and could access the rubber rubber plugs easy. Thanks for this! Now got a heater in it drying the inside of the car. Result.

[@Gary-Seven-and-Isis-in-1968]

This information is priceless. Now I reckon this was why my old Mondeo had a footwell full of water. All the while I was blaming the door rubbers, but they always looked to be in very good condition.🤬🤔

[@siggeestardust6156]

👍🏻 Great video! Worked really well and fixed the leak! I didn't remove the scuttle but appreciate you showing the wider context. Really helpful!

[@hiltonberry247]

FANTASTIC! Although I did not remove the scuttle, I cleared the left hand drain, - wow about 1/2 a litre poured out and the right hand drain plug was all gunky - removed most of it but each time I wash the car I will check these plugs, thanks for the information! Now to get the carpet dry!

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Good to hear, it's an easy fix and just a accumulation of stuff over the years.

[@lauwe54]

Thank you so so much for your great video,i have same problem altho no water getting in to carpets,buts it full of mud leaves and allitle water,so first good dry day here in holland iam going to clean it all,will give black cover a good clean also its gone grean in places with mold

[@carwynvan]

Literally just had this exact problem now, only the rain was that heavy it was pouring on to my feet as I was driving..! Thanks for this video as it's shown me exactly what to do and saved me having to take it in to the garage

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Great to hear!

[@user-gm8uo2wj2j]

Thanks for the video. Just unclogged mine. Now, onto drying the wet carpet.

[@mister.c4631]

Small dehumidifier in the car plugged to extension lead. Few hours it’ll be dry

[@MoAli-nv9cf]

Thanks gents. Really great short comprehensive video. This was just the reminder that I needed having done this before with a friend but had forgotten since then.

[@user-ke5cn9kn9p]

Thanks guys, that's exactly the problem we had, now solved!

[@Daniel__UK]

They're meant to be loose and, as others have said, are designed to let water drain out while stopping fumes etc going up and into the air vents. I removed mine with a long thin rod (could use wire coat hanger) and they were completely clogged up. Once they're clean, you can then refit them and every now and then, give the bottom of the drainage plug a squeeze, and it will let out dirt leaves etc.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

good advice, thanks for sharing

[@angelbreath6539]

Thanks uploader. You saved my wife’s shoes 👠

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

No problem 👍

[@juliekenhew50]

Thank you so much. This has helped me big time x

[@maxinesmyth3183]

Very helpful guys my panda has those symptoms so I shall go and investigate.

[@diondietvorst1440]

We had the same problem. We pulled the drains out. That is the easy solution and it get never clocked up again

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Good to hear, thanks for your comment.

[@tonkz1000]

Did this ever cause any issues leaving the rubber boots out? As I'm thinking on removing them and leaving them off

[@diondietvorst1440]

We had them out now for serveral years and causes no problems at All

[@alanpurnell2029]

thanks i had the same problem thank you problem sorted thanks again kind regards alan

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

You're welcome!

[@Grendel650]

Thanks. Very helpful. 😊

[@chojibymra]

Well gentlemen, that's the exact problem I've been having with my 2008 Fiat Palio stile. I'll go have a look now.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

let us know how you get on thanks!

[@lsaye]

great vid, i had a similar issue but in the backseat behind the driver seat. turned out to be the rear lights weren't refitted properly,, so water was entering into the car through there. i am Now dealing with the same issue as you guys but the drain plugs are not clogged. Still searching for the source.

[@lilly5740]

Thanks lads. You'd think it would be a little less fiddly to sort it out. I've had 2 fiat pandas now an both of them had an issue with this. Never had an issue with any others.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

No problem 👍 - you can just clear the muck of out the black rubber drains underneath but we wanted to check the entire thing out properly so did it this way instead.

[@HarryG88]

Same thing happened to my fiat 500 twin air

[@mackay1535]

Thanks

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

No problem

[@lorrainevenning8450]

My drains are missing. One is rolling about . My worry is the water drops onto the wishbone . Belt pulley and other engine parts. The water can't be doing the parts any good. Also the soundproof insulation on the bulkhead is wet through and surly will cause rust . . Should the grommets/drain plugs be put back in the holes do you think?

[@mikebowlesmusic4515]

Thanks for this video, had same problem, same cure works. Now, I'm struggling for a reason to put the bungs back in. What were they there for?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Thanks, I think they are just to control the water flow rather than having just a metal hole. Some silicone spray, washing up liquid or heat them up would help getting them back in.

[@captainfantastic5060]

Thanks I'm going to try this now. Any tips on drying out the foot well fellas?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

Wet and dry if you have one but, under the carpet is this coloured foam stuff which holds the water a lot. I wanted to check if there was any rust in the flooring (there wasn't), so took the carpet up and trim pieces off on the side, it'll dry like that but would take some time. I guess if you need to use the car that isn't practical so perhaps fix the issue, then just let it dry out?

[@alanpurnell2029]

i used my carpet vax i used the attachement it vorked a treat also on all the seats

[@zkovacs01]

I just removed those rubber drains and never put them back again. Hasn't had a problem since then as the holes are now big enough not to get clogged.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

I just made them wider, think they are to keep water from going places it shouldn't but see how you get on.

[@ruteparreira5736]

Could you please tell me the specific name for these parts? I need to buy both of mine and can't seem to find a way to search it cause don't know what it's called. Thanks in advance

[@PonasPramustgalvis]

Fiat punto 2009 water in driving side I check this drain spot but is dray and clean any advise?

[@ELPaso1990TX]

Is it worth putting some silicone seal between the scuttle and the windscreen after putting it back to stop rain water running under the scuttle?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

it drains through and down so I wouldn't bother unless it's loose etc.

[@fredlast4547]

Those little plastic cups pull out and you can clear them with your fingers. Then push them back in again.

[@Moccalocca100]

Can you please make a video of fiat panda 2002-2012 boot/trunk leak?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

we haven't had this issue yet but when we do I am sure I will make a video thanks.

[@Moccalocca100]

@@DanielJohnHowTo thank you so much

[@fatwalletboy2]

The seats and carpet has to come out on that car after as itll never dry out on its own and the moistures held against the steel floor......not good.

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

If it's soaked yes, you can remove some trim and pull the carpet up, then use wet/dry vac to suck the water out if you need it done quickly I had to do the same.

[@davebentley4829]

i took the little rubber pipes out,but now i seem to be getting fumes from the engine coming in,has any other people found this this ?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

your exhaust manifold could be leaking, spray some soapy water and see if you have bubbles

[@winandd8649]

Check the rubber hoses under the air filter box, there must be some cracks somewhere. Common failure with the 169 panda. When these hoses are old and cracked, fuel fumes escape and you will smell it inside the car

[@patrickganly5206]

Great job, thanks lads. ✌️I'm heading outside now with me screwdriver and fix this problem!! Cheers 👍

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

No problem 👍

[@randompotatoguy9347]

how on earth do things even get in there when there's a cover?

[@DanielJohnHowTo]

years of leaves, dirt and twigs they just get in via holes on the scuttle and where it doesn't sit against the windscreen properly due to age