- My model of MX-5 is: 1.8i NC1
- I’m based near: North Dorset
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Trying to figure out why the puddle is formed and what the tape covering the holes are for?
As the title says, every time I check under the bonnet recently there’s a puddle in the top right as you are looking down from the front. The weather hasn’t been great in recent weeks with lots of rain.
On closer inspection in the photos you can see 3 square pieces of grey tape material covering holes. I don’t know why there are holes and why tape seems to be covering them.
I’m tempted to remove them to allow the puddle of rain water to drain but just wanted to ask here first.
Thanks. 
Don’t worry about it sir, they all do that it’s a feature of the car.
The taped up holes are Mazda’s idea of plugging holes not used.
Thank you for the reply bud.
Do you see any harm in removing one of the bits of tape to allow for the water to drain or best just to leave it as it is?
Leave them, no harm being done.
When I wash my car there’s always a puddle each side there in the engine bay, probably one nearer the headlight too.
Was on my previous NC, when sold, no damage or rust etc from the water sitting there. The taped up holes were also present on my 07 plate and 64 plate.
If you look under the sill area you will see drainage holes which are often commonplace on ‘rag tops’. Sometimes, due to an accumulation of rotting leaf debris and air-borne silt these can become blocked and lead to an excess of water in either foot well.
Best to jack the car up and start with the lower side using a fine ‘hole clearing’ implement; then move to the other side. It’s not lethal but, of course, and accumulation of water will not help get rid of Mr. Rust.
If you look at the plastic scuttle cover, you will see a tiny drain hole in the bottom of the well on the passenger side. This is almost certainly the source.
Unfortunately, this drain hole is above the infamous plastic insert for securing the scuttle cover on that side.
Infamous because the gasket for the insert invariably fails, allowing water into the cabin via the fusebox.
