Discussion
Since the rain has started coming down for the winter I have been noticing a nasty musty smell in the Chim. After having a search around I have discovered that after heavy rain the carpet on the floor behind the drivers seat becomes saturated.
I have had a look for the source of the water but it is not obvious. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how do do I try to solve the problem
I have had a look for the source of the water but it is not obvious. Has anyone else experienced this and if so how do do I try to solve the problem
Hi Chris,
I had this problem with my '93 Chimaera. The water was getting in where the side of the fold down hood meets the top of the door. A small amount tracking down the inside and over a period of time soaking into the carpet behind the driver's seat.
The problem was cured by Christopher Neil, TVR dealer in Northwich Cheshire, but suspect it is known about elsewhere. The installed a short little rubber sheet folded gulley up at the point of leak which channelled water back to the door gutter. They said they were missing on my car but I've seen a newer car recently and couldn't see them on that one. Perhaps others will know about this?
Hope this helps. A call to Christopher Neils may identify or clarify the solution for you.
Lee
I had this problem with my '93 Chimaera. The water was getting in where the side of the fold down hood meets the top of the door. A small amount tracking down the inside and over a period of time soaking into the carpet behind the driver's seat.
The problem was cured by Christopher Neil, TVR dealer in Northwich Cheshire, but suspect it is known about elsewhere. The installed a short little rubber sheet folded gulley up at the point of leak which channelled water back to the door gutter. They said they were missing on my car but I've seen a newer car recently and couldn't see them on that one. Perhaps others will know about this?
Hope this helps. A call to Christopher Neils may identify or clarify the solution for you.
Lee
I had this - was a combination of 2 factors
1. Waterproofing - water was seeping through the hood on the drivers side above the velcro through the material then running down behind the seat and forming a lovely puddle. Quick dose of fabsil sorted this.
2. Hood tension - when putting the hood back up I was pushing the roof stays into place then seating the velcro. This wasnt making the side of the roof particularly tight and it is only really waterproof when fully tensioned. The way that works for me is to put the rear hood up near vertical where it will stay on its own, but not push the stays into place. Undo then re-do the velcro on both sides inside and out, pushing down to make sure its gripping nicely. Push stays into place. This results in a nice taught hood that doesnt leak (so far fingers crossed). But it must be fabsil'd too...
1. Waterproofing - water was seeping through the hood on the drivers side above the velcro through the material then running down behind the seat and forming a lovely puddle. Quick dose of fabsil sorted this.
2. Hood tension - when putting the hood back up I was pushing the roof stays into place then seating the velcro. This wasnt making the side of the roof particularly tight and it is only really waterproof when fully tensioned. The way that works for me is to put the rear hood up near vertical where it will stay on its own, but not push the stays into place. Undo then re-do the velcro on both sides inside and out, pushing down to make sure its gripping nicely. Push stays into place. This results in a nice taught hood that doesnt leak (so far fingers crossed). But it must be fabsil'd too...
I found this thread when I had the same problem.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=131430
Hope it helps.
Regards, Robin.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=131430
Hope it helps.
Regards, Robin.
Dave N500 CHM said:
When I bought my S the carpets under the seats were rotten from years of water ingress.
I thought the worst at first but a couple of treats of Fabsil later, (bought from a local camping shop) no more leaks.
Definately worth trying first.
I thought the worst at first but a couple of treats of Fabsil later, (bought from a local camping shop) no more leaks.
Definately worth trying first.
Mine would get slightly damp in bad weather when I first got it. Fabsil did the trick for me too & is now dry in even the most torrential rain.
I had exactly the same thing! - looked at threads and feared the worst re changing seals, elephant ears etc etc. All I did was apply some waterproofing stuff to the fabric (think it was autoglym fabric hood cleaner & protector, but now use fabsil as it's the same stuff & cheaper) and been dry for months.
When it rains, the water should bead up into big drops on the surface rather than saturating the material. If it doesn't do this, apply the waterproofing coat. If it still leaks, I guess you have to look more closely at where the water is getting in. It doesn't take long and in my experience 1 coat lasts for at least 6 months even if it's often outside in the rain.
When it rains, the water should bead up into big drops on the surface rather than saturating the material. If it doesn't do this, apply the waterproofing coat. If it still leaks, I guess you have to look more closely at where the water is getting in. It doesn't take long and in my experience 1 coat lasts for at least 6 months even if it's often outside in the rain.
crazyadam said:
I had exactly the same thing! - looked at threads and feared the worst re changing seals, elephant ears etc etc. All I did was apply some waterproofing stuff to the fabric (think it was autoglym fabric hood cleaner & protector, but now use fabsil as it's the same stuff & cheaper) and been dry for months.
When it rains, the water should bead up into big drops on the surface rather than saturating the material. If it doesn't do this, apply the waterproofing coat. If it still leaks, I guess you have to look more closely at where the water is getting in. It doesn't take long and in my experience 1 coat lasts for at least 6 months even if it's often outside in the rain.
When it rains, the water should bead up into big drops on the surface rather than saturating the material. If it doesn't do this, apply the waterproofing coat. If it still leaks, I guess you have to look more closely at where the water is getting in. It doesn't take long and in my experience 1 coat lasts for at least 6 months even if it's often outside in the rain.
Dito ! Just applied some Thompsons Water Seal and no more leaks ! Does not take much time or effort and will defo indicate whether there is a more serious problem or not? Good luck
after a couple of days sitting in the sunshine! I've used a sponge and various cloths etc. Dont really want to use a hairdryer as The bible says it could shrink the carpet. I have found the best way is to firstly mop out the bucket full of standing water. Then I put a tea towel (or similar) on top and gently use my hands to squeegee the water out of the carpet into the towel. Once this is no longer effective I park her with the nose facing uphill and leave for a few hours. Come back and theres a new puddle of water. Repeat mopping exercise, leave again, repeat until virtually dry.
Then to finish off I put a dehimdifier inide with the hood up and run for 5 or 6 hours - I bought mine on ebay for £30 apparently its the right size for a 4 bedroom house !
Without warm sunshine the dehumidifier is the only way.
As you can tell I have had a few leaks in the past......
Then to finish off I put a dehimdifier inide with the hood up and run for 5 or 6 hours - I bought mine on ebay for £30 apparently its the right size for a 4 bedroom house !
Without warm sunshine the dehumidifier is the only way.
As you can tell I have had a few leaks in the past......
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