Leaky Blower?

[BenLewisMav]

Keep finding puddles on the passenger side floor after its been raining a bit.. I think its coming from the join between the blower and the plastic tunnel (that goes where the air con. unit would be).
 
I\'m guessing that the blower sucks air in from the outside through the vents between the windscreen and bonnet? And therefore water does the same? (cant really imagine that Mazda would let air and rain just fall into the car though! -without any method of stopping it)

[tezz12345]

may be heater matrix leaking but that would happen with or without rain

hope its not as is a pig to change as u have to remove the dash

[vinnythespud]

try taking the cover off between the screen and bonnet,have a look to see if it is blocked up with leaves and general smegg,if the drain holes are blocked the water will collect and eventually find another way to drain.

[Grizzly]

First off check if it smells of anti freeze, if it does then its defo your Heater matrix.

If not....

check the large Rubber Gromit that goes round the Engine Loom and pushes into the Passenger side of the fire wall is in good condition and in place.

[BenLewisMav]

Thanks for the reply guys, I\'ll check the smell for antifreeze and clear out and crap from the drain holes..

[pdtaylor18]

did you find your leak ? If you need a matrix let me know as I have one you can have for £30.  Check the two hoses on the bulkhead as well from within the engine bay ( back of manifold and just above the slave clutch cylinder)
There are various rubber bungs as well so worth checking they are all in place.

[BenLewisMav]

Thanks for the tip, took off the plastic ducting between the blower and heater unit and all the water seems to be collecting on blower side, (i presume the matrix will in be in the heater unit behind the center of the dash), so I think it must be leaking in through the grill between the windscreen and the bonnet.
Whereabouts are the drain pipes for this area? I\'ve had a peek around and I cant see any or even see anyway of getting into the corners where I presume they\'d be?!?
Thanks

[BenLewisMav]

-Oh, and i\'ve had to split that rubber grommit that the engine loom goes through, I\'ve had to push a load of additional cable through for the Gauge Senders and Wideband Lambda unit. However its still pretty together and doesnt seem to be getting wet when I checked for leaks after it rained.

[pdtaylor18]

If you are leaking water through the windscreen glass then its best if you strip away all the bits covering it.  take off the wiper and the lower trim, take the side trims off, they only screw on and you should then be able to see whats what. just a case of getting some black sealant and go over all the bits you can.  It can only help.  I Have a split loom rubber as well and so far it has not leaked through here.  To answer another question the matrix is in the centre heater and the only way to get it out is for the dash to come out. Its an easy job and you will get it done within a day.  Going to take mine out to install my alarm properly.  taken 4 out in the last 6 months so its easy for me to say. !!

[BenLewisMav]

Thanks for the advice, I\'ll give it a go, about to get it MOT\'ed so was meant to be putting it back together lol (rather than taking bits off again).
Yeah you\'re right really, the dash isnt that bad a job, only had a new windscreen fitted and reinstalled the dash about 2 months ago
Pretty bad work on behalf of the windscreen guys if its leaking already..

[pdtaylor18]

well they must warrent their work so i would get them to sort it out if you can.

[BenLewisMav]

Yeah definately will do if I find the windscreen @ fault.
Seems to be a common problem [Grinder\'s Cab] (http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46287), Don\'t know if it makes any difference, but the car in question is a JDM Sunroof-less Coupe, do they still have the drainholes that can get blocked and cause flooding? And in the sunroof-less ones where are they?
I put my hand inside the blower unit yesterday and felt it was soaking on the bottom, predictably when I turned the blower fans on the water just got blown out down onto the passenger floor. I think this rules out a leaky windscreen or grommet (as these were both dry).
My question is, is there meant to be some kind of drainhole on the bottom of the blower unit, or in the little box section underneath the windscreen wiper grill? Sorry to keep asking but I don\'t want to loose my faith in Mazda designers just yet! Thanks

[pdtaylor18]

defo not a drain in the blower, be careful here cos the wires are fairly hefty and therefore a large ampage which can give a nasty shock.  Do you have aircon ?  JDM, no sunroof, odds on you have.  If you take your glove box out you might be able to see more, takes 5 mins.  You can then get at the blower and heater matrix and especially the black ducting that links the blower-aircon-matrix.  take it off and see if there is water in it, if there is then it can only get in there by the matrix.  But you still can not discount an external source, from where ? bucket of water and be in side as someone throws it around the windscreen, you might just see an entry point.  The large black ducting has one little grommet thing at each end.