Leaking roof !

[philr]

Until this weekend I had not had that curse of the convertible, a leaking roof. Despite the fact that the previous owner had problems (don't you just love the smell of damp wool carpets !), I had not had any leaks - though I do garage the car at nights. Anyway, the place it leaks from is the flap that velcros down next to the seat belt feader. It leaks on both sides. Does anyone have any helpful ideas or tricks for stopping this problem ? Chjeers Phil

[RobM]

I find that if you seal the velcro thing on the inside 1st, slightly looser. Then the one on the outside. If you do the inside one last, then it leaves a kink right on the stiching for water to get trapped in.. Its not watertight but its a lot better

[alex.mcintosh]

There should be a bit of rubber just in front of the velco, that sits between the roof and body (stuck to the roof). When the roof is closed, it forms a U and channels all of the water forward into the door opening. Perhaps you either don't have this or it is not a U shape

[Marshy]

I've not seen many (if any) Chimps with that U shaped bit of rubber in the velcro area. My car leaked like a sieve for a while, but I think I nailed it by fabsiling it into submission. I also fiddled endlessly with the place where the bottom edge of the hood and the driver's door meet: it seems to be very easy to end up with gaps you can get small children through.

[Marshy]

Oh. You mean glued to the solid hoop bit, at the bottom of the hood? Yeah, I have one of those. They're different on every one I've looked at

[alex.mcintosh]

Exactly - that piece of rubber which most cars don't have! It often perishes, falls off or does not form a U shape (usually needs some help when putting up the rear section). Apparently, correct installation/use of this rubber resolves 80% of water leaks behind the seats

[philr]

Guys, I guess my roof doesn't have this U shaped piece of rubber cos I don't know what you're talking about. Can you describe it a bit further so I can see whether I actually do have it and have just missed it - or is it blindingly obvious if you've got it ! If I don't have it, is that a sign that a replacement roof has been fitted or maybe a repaired roof ? Phil

[alex.mcintosh]

It is not necessarily the sign of a new or repaired roof. It is only a small piece of rubber which can very easily come unstuck and fall off, particularly in such a position where it gets loads of wear. I guess a lot of older cars may not have it and as owners complained, so the factory made enhancements. It is not obvious to see unless you know exactly what you're looking for. To locate it - just behind the outside velcro stuck to the hard part of the rear section of the roof. When the rear section is folded back the rubber straightens out. So every time the rear section is put up, ensure the rubber is folded correctly to form a U between the roof and body. Not a very clear explanation I'm afraid - check out a few cars and you'll see what I mean. Otherwise speak to your dealer - they should certainly know. Every time I take it to Mole Valley they check to see the condition and if evenly slightly worn or torn, they get replaced. Edited by alex.mcintosh on Tuesday 6th February 13:16

[philr]

The only thing I can think of on my roof in that area is what I had assumed was an inner velcro fatener. It is about 4 inches by 3 inches of rubber with velcro on one side. Other than that I think the only other thing there is the velcro for the outside of the car - which admittedly does curl up a little at the edge. How big is your U shaped bit of rubber ? does it fit between the inner and outer velcro fasteners to create a bulge on the outside so that water does not collect - or something similar ? Phil

[alex.mcintosh]

The bit of rubber is separate from the two Velcro bits. It is about 3" square but does not touch the fabric of the hood - it is glued to the hard section and forms a U between there and the body. If water is collecting on the fabric of the hood, then that may be another problem.....

[philr]

Went to Mole V. at the weekend and checked out the velcro areas on their hoods - Now I know what you're talking about ! Most cars there had a rubber flappy thing that is attached to the lower portion of the roof hoop and looks like it would indeed guide any flowing water away from the inside of the car. Unfortunately my Chim doesn't have these flappy things - Yet ! Cheers for your help guys Phil

[TVR Engineer]

Have your roof treated with FabSil it works wonders.