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MG MGF Technical - Cold, Wet, Bum.

Well I am sat at work with a nice soggy posterior :-(

Seems the seal on my hardtop is leaking, and dripping onto drivers seat.

So now, first to find source of leak, and second how to fix it.

The window stops are ok, and the window forms a tight seal.

The seal around the hardtop has a slit cut into it, towards the front of the car, i guess this lets air in, to allow the water to flow back, and out the bottom of the hard-top is this correct?

Seems to me it maybe the slit is where the water is coming through.

any ideas on how to stop leak?

any ideas on how to dry your ass using hand-dryer without looking like a complete prat?

paul weatherill

Paul

There are loads of threads dealing with rain leaks; soft-top, hard-top, front luggage compartment, rear luggage compartment, passenger footwell, behind drivers seat etc.

I chose to take a large BRG bath sheet and turn it into several small BRG hand towels. One is always in the car in a ready state and one is in the rear luggage compartment drying from the heat of the engine.

My wife keeps reminding me that the Mondeo didn't drip rain onto her but is happy with using the towel in the F.
JohnP

Paul....

Mine leaked terribly albeit a hood that was on. I found a simple and cheap cure and my bum has been bone dry for weeks now.
What to do is..... anywhere there is a break in the rubber, i.e where the rubber splits for any reason or where the rubber meets the A frame etc.... put a tiny blob of non petroleum grease on your finger.....which ever one you choose is entirely up to yourself :-)) .... smear it in the gap and wipe away the excess. Its cheap cheerful and has cured 3 seperate leaks for me. The basis being it is water proof....fill gaps and is not a premanent filler.

OH while Im at it.... went to the CSMGF meeting last.... Im hoping to put a set of 17" wheels with 215x40x17 rubber on the car probably any day now....Im told your the man to speak to for advice .... any ideas ???

Cheers
David J

Good to hear you made it to meet, i was trying to make it last night, but couldn't.

Gerry - Still got this t-bar for you.

thanks for tip on leak.

as far as 17's are concerned, my advice, don't do it, it will only cause you grief.





then again i didn't take that advice either ;-)

I am running on 205/40/17's all round. (that's front and rear, not stating the obvious.)

I've had stiffened dampeners, and lowering knuckles fitted.

Would strongly recommend Mike Satur's hub adaptor's as they give you a much wider choice of wheels. This not only lets you choose the wheels you want, but also means you can shop about and easily save the cost of the hub adaptors on a new set of wheels.

(coincidentally, i found mike satur could supply wheels (tyres fitted) at a much better price than most.)

problems:
tyres cost a little more.

reduced ride quality, heh it feels more like a sports car.

tramlining...barely noticeable.

tyres rubbing on arch liners...not much of a problem, only on full lock.

tyres rubbing on wheel arch...real pain, shredded tyres, rolled wheel arches, suspension adjustments, etc.

potential problems:

suspension taking a bit of a bashing, potholes etc really hurt. keeping close eye on my suspension mounts.

paul weatherill


Thanks Paul....

The urge to put 17's on isnt as strong as it was after reading your advice :-(
David J

didn't mean to put you off David, just giving you my honest opinion.

once i have got new tyres worn in, and the tracking checked, you'll have to try my car out with 17's.

sure it would change your mind back again ;-)

paul weatherill

Any problems with MOT due to tyres rubbing?

Sam
Sam Murray

Paul's opinion was a very good one.
I honestly have hearts for 17" as well... but one I can't see the point of spending extra 700 pounds for wheels / tyres are more expensive on low profiles.

But have to say they look awesome....
but VVC wheels are not such bad designs themselves. Just small that's all.

Thanks Paul for your honest input.
Hanah Kim

I am glad i put 17's on the F.

I am a lot more confident driving the car, as you get a lot more feedback from the road.

I don't think the traction is any better with 17's, but you seem to get a lot more warning when you are losing it.

I found with 15's the car held perfectly, then snap, you're into a skid.

With the 17's I find the car gradually loses traction, and you can feel it, hence can gently ease off the power, and regain control.

For me, that feeling of being able to thrash the car, with confidence is worth the expense. Just be aware, it might cost you more than you initially expect.


MOT, whats that?? besides a piece of paper that costs you £40.



paul weatherill

Paul
I know I jokingly suggested a large towel, and there really is one in my F at all times, I went to the pub at lunch time and got back into a wet seat.

Now sitting on a radiator at work trying not to look like a complete prat.

If the rain continues I will take the hardtop off and go back to the softtop - at least that didn't drip onto the seats.
JohnP

hahaha thanks john, don't feel so bad now.

think i'll investigate this weekend, and see if i find the gap that its seeping through.

i had some rubber sealant that would probably be perfect for the job, can't remember what it was called though.

used it for repairing my dry-suit, aquasure or something.
paul weatherill

This thread was discussed on 08/11/2002

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