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MG MGF Technical - carpets soaked

i have recently read about a guys problem of the passenger side carpet being wet. This is put down to 2 reasons, the bottom door seals not allowing drainage on the older models (mgf 1996/97) and heater box seal problem. I dont know if it makes a difference but i have huge puddles in both footwells and behind the seats. I have invested in snorkling gear but wonder if anyone may help as i'm not a very good swimmer! And please go easy on me i am a female and trying to 'sort' the problem myself! many thanks.
laura bregant

first put the roof up!

..sorry couldnt resist that one!

Make sure the roof is properly closed, they can be variable in this respect! an easy check is that the central "securing tab" on the latches pertrudes slightly higher than the level of the catch when closed. difficult to describe but an easy measure of this is that the catch isnt unusually stiff, any more than usual that is.

second make sure that the windows are closed (sorry) and that the window stops havent broken inside the doors. This is easy to determine because the glass wont fit the aperture of the roof.

Laura there is ZERO scope for gaps and badly fitting bits on a convertible roof. if there is a hole even 1/8th of an inch wide you are in for a wet bum.

Otherwise it's a trip to the dealers! which is probably best. Wet carpets will start to rot the car from the insides.

On the other hand there is a roof cover thing you can buy from Mike Satur which will add another layer of protection from the rain, Having had a zillion leaky convertibles these things are all very well but the wind tends to make them into spinnakers
Neil

Tom had the same problem as this Laura, so this is not an unusual problem. I suspect that this is going to be down to leaks past the window seals (particular those in the hood - exactly as Neil describes) - OR it may be down to water draining out of the door in the wrong place on the inside of the door aperature weather seal...

Can you tell how the water is entering the car? Time for some detective work I think!
Rob Bell

Hi guys thank you for advice, i have just looked and i have the 2 little gaps at the bottom rubber pieces of doors so hopefully that is draining away ok, i have been detective for the last 3 weeks but am stumped, their is a 2mm gap on left window to top door sill and i notice water drips through the left wing mirror casing which i guess would explain the left foothold being wet (soaked) but no gaps and no drips on the right side although again the carpet is soaked! I have ordered a hood from mike satur (5th nov 03) and am pulling my hair out as i was told it would take 3 to 6 weeks (to order and be fitted) and it is now 13 weeks and i'm still having no joy, i was hoping he might be able to tell me where it is leaking but am now thinking about going elsewhere, any more advice truely appreciated! p.s first thing i did neil was checked that i hadnt left the roof open!!! lol
l j bregant

Check out other post on here thats going at the minute 'wet passenger footwell' on here just posted some advice u might want to see.

GC
G.C

sorry that shouldve been 'wet carpet in passenger side' have a look.

GC.
G.C

have read that one thank u, but as the heater box seal is on the passenger side only it doesnt explain why the drivers side is soaking also!
l j bregant

If the soaked carpets were in front of the seats, then perhaps water is entering via the bulkhead somewhere - see Tony's site: http://www.apttony.co.uk/Servicing/bulkhead.html

But if it is the space behind the seats, then the water must be entering somewhere else???
Rob Bell

There is the same rectangular shape cut through the bulk head on the drivers side, (exactly the same shape as the one which the heater box goes into,only this one has a metal blank on it , its there for the heater box on the left hand drive version) this again has the offending gaskett around which is supposed to keep out the water but, after a whil fails. Just look at the exact same possition as the heater box is, but on the drivers side, its a right bugger though as you have to get right under the steering column and you have all the pedals in the way. locate the blank and cover the edges of the thing in silicone sealer. Job done..... you now have a dry car.

HTH
GC
G.C

Wow - that sounds like the world's least comfortable job GC! 8-( Fortunately, mine has never leaked there (famous last words) - so if I ever suffer from a wet driver's foot well, I'll know where to start looking!

Cheers
Rob Bell

many thanks neil, rob and G,C, have read all the old archives and seems though it is a common problem a little bit daunting but will give the heater box side a go next week, will keep u updated!! Lastly does anyone know a reputable garage that fits hoods, am looking for a green one, am fed up waiting for a reply 13weeks after leaving a deposit with Mike satur!!
l j bregant

Laura try http://www.prestigeautotrim.com

havent had any dealings with them myself but probably worth a look.

Aren't i just a wealth of information!?!?!?!

GC
G.C

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2004 and 06/02/2004

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