And don't forget the weed killer sorry i couldn't resist that:naughty:
Cheers,
Chaz

 

Do the drainhole mod and it's a two minute job to check every two weeks. Why take the risk of leaving it?

 

What's the mod?

 

It was first posted by Simonaurius.

If you remove the grill type cover on the passenger side above the bulkhead, you will see the second cover which sits over the ECU/pollen filter and plenum chamber. Remove this cover and drill/cut a 25mm (approx) hole directly above the plenum drain.

You can then see straight down into the plenum drain without removing the cover in the future and also clear the drain if blocked.

I did mine in 30mins from start to finish and have plugged the hole to make it look neater and just remove the plug when checking the drain. You could leave it without a plug as the top cover hides it anyway when refitted.

 

Here's the info you need. (Revised)
This shows the plenum cover of the facelift, but the cutting dimension is the same for all models.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/waveguide/PlenumBung.jpg

TC

 

Here's the info you need.

TC

Now how did that get there?? - its a modified picture of my drainhole mod on a pre-facelift (2003) 75 ...

Here is the original:

 

Well done on finding it T-cut. I couldn't.

Mine looks slightly different to the picture so there must have been a change of cover at some point so be carefull if using the measurements and check that the hole will be above the drain.

 

- - - -
Mine looks slightly different to the picture so there must have been a change of cover at some point- - - - - -

I think you're right. This image is, I believe, the pre-facelift panel. My facelift also looks different somehow. The dimension (97mm in the original image) was translated into inches to avoid copyright issues. I used this dimension and got a perfect alignment with the plenum drain below. So while the panels may vary in topographic detail, the linear positioning is the same.

TC

 

Errm.....Crikey, it just kinda came out like that....

TC

 

Did this mod on mine today. Took 15 mins, I now have nice inspection hole and the bung/grommet cost me 10pence. I used a 20mm hole.
The most frustrating part was getting the ECU loom to sit under, or as close to under as I could get it, to the plastic casing on the ECU. The damn thing sits right over the drain hole. Anyone got a mod for this ?
At the moment it is right up against the ECU between the pollen filter and the ECU casing. Incidentally the pollen filter is BLACK so I guess I've just found another job when I get 15mins to myself !!

 

- - - - - - Incidentally the pollen filter is BLACK so I guess I've just found another job when I get 15mins to myself !!

One (even more expensive) version of the pollen filter is indeed black, jet black. This type absorbs odours as well as filtering out particles from incoming air. If yours is jet black as distinct from dirty dark grey, it could well be the odour-eater type. The 'ordinary' filters are white when new of course.

TC

 

Thanks Murphey & T Cut, I'll take a look at that this weekend.

 

hi guys. so, you remove the first panel by unclipping, then drill a hole in the second panel beneath??

incidentally, when i changed my pollen filter, when trying to put the ecu in where it was initially, it wouldnt clip back in so its basically just sitting in, is that ok?

 

Remove the second panel before drilling or all the bits will drop into the plenum chamber and you don't want to risk drilling off centre and catching any wiring to the ECU. If you've got a dremmel or similar then use this to get a nice, neat hole.

My ECU just drops into it's holder but I believe the diesel versions are different. Do you mean that the ECU is sitting in it's holder or sitting in the chamber itself.

 

Diesel ECU



My diesel ECU is the same. It does not clip in, it is a slide fit straight up and down. It is a snug fit against the fire wall, slides into two L shaped slots. Can't think of a clearer explanation !

 

Mine is the same, CDT 2002 has a slide mechanism for the ECU. Have to push quite hard and make sure it is right up against the bulkhead. The main problem is the wiring loom to the ECU comes in from the wing bulkhead and runs underneath the ECU ( mine won't sit underneath entirely, it sits between the ECU when fully depressed in slider and between the pollen filter)
This is almost exactly over the drainhole !!
As I've got the pollen filter to do, I might post some photos with both plastic covers off and view of new bung and plenum chamber inside views ie loom/cable problem.

 

finished work early for a change and thought id check my pollen filter after reading this post

striped it back to find that almost half of the filter is covered in water and the drainage hole blocked solid was almost 4 inch deep water inside cover :O

no wonder car didnt want to run very well

big thanks for highlighting this think i just saved a small fortune replacing a ecu

anyone know what the item to right of pollen filter bolt on a bracket and has a few wires going to it, is?? on a zt-t 190+ whatever it was was swinging lose on bracket

cheers

andy

 

Thing to the right on a 2002 CDT is (well stick your head right next to it and get the wife to press the black oval button on the steering wheel or try locking the car with the door open)........... on mine it is the horn !!!

 

Thing to the right on a 2002 CDT is (well stick your head right next to it and get the wife to press the black oval button on the steering wheel)........... on mine it is the horn !!!

Ermm, don't think it is, the horn(s) operated by the oval button on the steering wheel are behind the grille, this one is for the alarm, IIRC.

 

Just a reminder troops the water enters the plenum from the driver side where it is open so the drain under the Brake servo is the one you should be keeping clear regularly then obviously hardly any water should get to collect around the ECU.

Easiest way is to keep them clear from underneath as the servo one is not easy to do from above then once the plenum us dry hoover out the debris regularly, the spyhole mod has its limitations and is not the final answer as you still need to keep the plenum clean of debris.

 

As promised.........

Tools :
A watchmakers screwdriver and a normal crossheaded screwdriver.
A lot of patience !!!

Picture of plenum chamber both plastic covers intact.

First Job - Remove the plastic gromets that clip in just below the windscreen.

You'll see that I removed three gromets in total. Next remove the top plastic cover by pressing the plastic tab shown below.

It should now look like this.

Next unscrew the one screw that hold the lower plastic cover in place and pull off the rubber seal infront of the cover area.

Next lift and wiggle the lower plastic cover by pulling up and right so that it slides out over the wing.

You should now see the top of the ECU casing and the wiring loom and the pollen filter.

If you place your fingers under the ECU casing and slide it upwards it should come right out of the bay it was sat in !

If the Longbridge workers were generous with the wiring loom you should be able to get it out this far ! Note the plastic rungs on the casing - this is what hold it in the slider rail, against the bulkhead.

Next lift the plastic tab holding the pollen filter in place, there is another just out of shot to the left also ! LOOK AT THE COLOUR OF THE OLD FILTER !!

Just for those who think - It doesn't look too bad !

Sorry in advance for dial up members but this next one is well worth it, because of all the relevant areas it shows !

The squiggle of black metal on the far left is the ECU slide.
The black circle in the center is the DRAIN hole. (Don't know what the other member was banging on about) This sits directly beneath the ECU so, in my humble opinion SOD THE OTHERS, this is the one to keep clean !!
The loom can also be seen here - center of picture.
Finally the pollen filter on the far right of the picture.

And finally because picture copyright is something that I am not worried about in the slightest and other members can use ANY or ALL of mine.

MY OWN inspection hole modification !

And just incase you needed any more.

The whole pollen filter change and inspection mod took approx 1 hour and that included taking photos !
The pollen filter I pretreated with an anti-bacteria spray and de-odouriser the day prior to fitting.
Pollen filter cost £15 from my local carparts dealer. (Tottonmotorfactors)
I must confess I have done the job before and taken all the gromets out at the start and the windscreen wipers off to get that exta bit of room, but with patience it is possible, just, to squeeze it in down the plenum cover hole.
Moderators/Admin feel free to resize or edit if pic size is an issue !

 

Nice pictures.

I have tidied them up a bit so the all line up on the left.

Well done.

 

Nice write up Jason!

What i've taken to doing is when I wash the car (pretty much every weekend) I run water down the widscreen for a few seconds then promptly look underneath. I expect to see a deluge of water coming through the hole.

If not I know that there must be an issue and see to the plenum chamber sharpish!

 

excellent info mate

Real happy today since clearing my water logged plenum car smells so much better and sat nav is back to normal no more wandering and losing the signal is the gps aerial located somewhere near the ecu??

back to enjpoying the v6 growl again now all working ok

all thanks to this forum and excellent info

 

I cut the bottom of my plastic drains off !!
You just need it long enough to go between what you can see in the picture (The top ) and approx 2inches lower down where the diameter starts to reduce/taper drastically.

Don't cut it too short !

There is method in my madness - the diameter is approx the same as the diameter at the top of the drain. If you leave them in their original state they taper/reduce to a point where blockages occur more easily. (My Opinion)

P.S. Mine were difficult to get out - not much room to get your hand in the plenum chamber and the lower section has a rim to secure it in place when fitting - use washing-up liquid to get it back in, after the mod.

 

Hiya. One of my chambers has no plastic drain plug at all.... Does this matter.? Poppy.

 

Well thanks for the info. Glad I checked, as I found this object inside the drain blocking it off. (ecu side).

Looks like the protector of a leg to me.


It was also worth cleaning the the drivers side one from under the car. (as the servo hides it from the top)

 

- - - - - Looks like the protector of a leg to me.- - - - - -

Looks like the end of a plenum drainage rod to me! Lost by a previous owner perhaps?

TC

 

ok ice cleared my drain hole, replaced the pollen filter and unleashed an air con bacterial spray thing in my car...but the air con STILL stinks...anyone any idea why this could be?is it just a case of leaving it on for however long it takes to totally blast the smell away?

 

air con (och, not again saysyou!) still stinks!

ok ive cleared my drain hole, replaced the pollen filter and unleashed an air con bacterial spray thing in my car...but the air con STILL stinks...anyone any idea why this could be?is it just a case of leaving it on for however long it takes to totally blast the smell away?

 

Stink

If you've replaced the pollen filter, try the other side of the bulkhead by the servo - the air drawn in through the filter is pulled in from the bulkhead area.
Other option is your carpets/seats stink ?
The only other source is the tubing between the pollen filter inlet and the outlet in the car ?
Did you check behind the pollen filter before changing it for a new one ?
If the old one had a hole - debris could be pulled into the tubing etc - however you should have noticed debris being blown into the cabin if this was the case.
Failing all else a proper valet and some air fresheners ?

 

aye mate its not the seats its defo comin out of the vents still...hmm, no idea what could be

think ill only be satisfied if i take it to an air con place for them to sort it to be honest. do normal air con places to car air con?

 

Could the nasty smell be the MATRIX being faulty ??Does the car steam up at all, when you switch the air-con to ON. ??