Lancia Motor Club

Model Technical and Interest => Aprilia, Ardennes and Ardea => Topic started by: John Larkin on 14 February, 2021, 04:32:49 PM



Title: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 14 February, 2021, 04:32:49 PM
1949 Aprilia Berlina:  There is a rain water drain outlet from the cabin ventilation intake in front of the windscreen; I'm trying to unblock it.  I have managed to get a stiff wire to go down the drain outlet pipe to a distance of about 70-80cm, but no further.  I sprayed WD40 into the drain in an attempt to soften up whatever is blocking it, but none has appeared out anywhere.  Does anybody know where the drain outlet emerges? 

John.


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: tzf60 on 15 February, 2021, 01:16:37 PM
Hi John,
The pipe turns through two 90 degree bends before ending up on the passenger side between the bulkhead and the lower (removable - with engine bay stripped) bulkhead cover. At least that's the case on my car.
 
Regards,
Tim


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 15 February, 2021, 08:47:15 PM
Thanks Tim.  I'll poke around and see what I can find.
John.


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: Dave Gee on 16 February, 2021, 09:59:11 AM


  On my car 37/38 it runs in side the car and exits throu the floor next to the clutch pedal


  Dave


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: tzf60 on 16 February, 2021, 11:04:34 AM
That's very interesting, Dave. By fitting the pipe inside the cabin, it is very accessible. The way it was fitted to my 1939 model, it would have been next to impossible to access. When the drain pipe on my car rusted out, it would have required amazing dexterity to complete a repair.
 
Tim


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 16 February, 2021, 07:31:47 PM
Tim,
Your photo helped me find the drain pipe.  I can now try unblocking it from its nether end.
Thanks!
John.


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: SanRemo78 on 16 February, 2021, 08:59:04 PM
If you've got the top end handy can you use a compressor to blow it through? I had a similar problem with an Alfa 159 sunroof, when the pipe blocked the interior flooded. Really flooded. I managed to unblock them from the wheel arch end (Convoluted routing precluded passing anything down it's length) but I was told that Autolusso just blow them through with an airline.
Guy


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: tzf60 on 17 February, 2021, 02:06:45 PM
Hi John,
If you managed to get 70-80cm down the pipe, you may be very close to the end of the pipe, in which case Guy's suggestion might work.
 
My pipe rotted right at the resevoir, so joining a new pipe will be tricky, as there is no pipe left! I'll use copper next time  ;)
 
Tim


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 17 February, 2021, 05:22:33 PM
I tried blowing out the blockage with compressed air, but it seems to be well-clogged up.  I'm pouring WD40 down the drain tube daily, so hopefully it will loosen up soon.

John.


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 03 March, 2021, 02:11:34 PM
WD40 slowly wept from the bottom of the drain pipe over several days, but the blockage remained.  I put acetone down the pipe hoping to wash through any greasy/oily gunge.  After a second treatment with acetone and lots of poking with a stiff steel wire all the muck came out! These little victories are very pleasing. 


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: SanRemo78 on 03 March, 2021, 07:05:39 PM
I see they just dug up a chariot in Pompeii! Did your archaeological investigations reveal anything remotely as interesting?


Title: Re: Drain outlet from cabin air intake
Post by: John Larkin on 04 March, 2021, 07:53:59 AM
There was a note from a leftie Lancia production line worker with the the message:"Quindi hai finalmente eliminato il blocco!"