Rant About Damp

Spike · 16th May 2021, 10:17

<rant>I’ve been around the R40 block for well over a decade - I’ve owned five different types and there’s nothing I haven’t had to fix or replace. I’m pretty confident that I know these cars inside out but one thing drives me UP THE WALL… I cannot make the boot watertight. I’ve tried everything: light seals, waist trim, clips beneath the rear window trim, a brand new rubber boot seal, metres of duck tape… you name it, I’ve tried it. But rain still gets in on both saloons. I can forgive the clutch faults, the sun roof drains, the plenum drains and even the flippin’ head gaskets… but these cars should not leak the way they do. It’s almost enough to make me give up!</rant>

I’d like to say I feel better now but I don’t!

Lee T · 16th May 2021, 11:03

Have you removed the rear bumper and resealed the vents in the rear wings?
they can leak into the same area as the light seals and the window trim clips.

Spike · 16th May 2021, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee T

Have you removed the rear bumper and resealed the vents in the rear wings?
they can leak into the same area as the light seals and the window trim clips.

I had the bumper off last year but I didn’t think to reseal the vents. That’s a great suggestion, Lee. Thank you.

rab60bit · 16th May 2021, 11:39

Just a thought 'cos I've got the same problem and still scratching my head for solutions. If your boot is taking in water whilst parked up then it's unlikely that the vents are the culprit - might save yourself some unnecessary work.

stevestrat · 16th May 2021, 12:25

Leak points you haven't eliminated:
Around boot lid hinge
Panel joins (have been known to weep)

75driver · 16th May 2021, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by rab60bit

Just a thought 'cos I've got the same problem and still scratching my head for solutions. If your boot is taking in water whilst parked up then it's unlikely that the vents are the culprit - might save yourself some unnecessary work.

Just a note, but one of mine had the ability to take in water thru the vents when parked up.
Don’t rule it out.🙄

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Heddy · 16th May 2021, 19:06

After trying most of the boot 'fixes' my final attempt worked, Captain Tolley's around the lower portion of the rear screen, and as someone mentioned, along the overlapped seams around the top of the boot below the window. Pretty cheap fix.

Spike · 16th May 2021, 20:07

Thanks for all the really excellent suggestions! I’ve had everything apart again today and re-sealed everything again so we’ll see. The panel seams are covered with duck tape and appear to be dry so I don’t think it’s that. The vents seemed quite tight too but I’ve cleaned everything. There was a bit of muck on the light gaskets again so that’s a possibility. Fingers crossed and I’ll report back. Then I’ve got to try and seal the ZT too! Have a good evening, Everyone, and thanks again.

Typhoon190 · 16th May 2021, 20:24

I agree. They are dreadful for letting in water. Both tourers and saloons.

COLVERT · 16th May 2021, 20:45

Quote:___SPIKE.---------- duck tape… you name it, I’ve tried it.

And a bit more help------DUCT tape.---

16th May 2021, 10:17	#1
Spike Posted a thing or two Spike, Burt & Daisy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Murcia, Spain and sometimes South Wales Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 352 Thanked 427 Times in 295 Posts	Rant About Damp <rant>I’ve been around the R40 block for well over a decade - I’ve owned five different types and there’s nothing I haven’t had to fix or replace. I’m pretty confident that I know these cars inside out but one thing drives me UP THE WALL… I cannot make the boot watertight. I’ve tried everything: light seals, waist trim, clips beneath the rear window trim, a brand new rubber boot seal, metres of duck tape… you name it, I’ve tried it. But rain still gets in on both saloons. I can forgive the clutch faults, the sun roof drains, the plenum drains and even the flippin’ head gaskets… but these cars should not leak the way they do. It’s almost enough to make me give up!</rant> I’d like to say I feel better now but I don’t! __________________ Spike has the rubber boots. I'm James and mine are leather.

16th May 2021, 11:03	#2
Lee T Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Liverpool Posts: 850 Thanks: 180 Thanked 248 Times in 189 Posts	Have you removed the rear bumper and resealed the vents in the rear wings? they can leak into the same area as the light seals and the window trim clips. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

16th May 2021, 12:25	#5
stevestrat This is my second home ZT260 #243 (resting) Join Date: May 2010 Location: Prestonpans Posts: 22,462 Thanks: 650 Thanked 4,624 Times in 3,358 Posts	Leak points you haven't eliminated: Around boot lid hinge Panel joins (have been known to weep) __________________ Steve T4 Location Map

16th May 2021, 20:07	#8
Spike Posted a thing or two Spike, Burt & Daisy Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Murcia, Spain and sometimes South Wales Posts: 1,550 Thanks: 352 Thanked 427 Times in 295 Posts	Thanks for all the really excellent suggestions! I’ve had everything apart again today and re-sealed everything again so we’ll see. The panel seams are covered with duck tape and appear to be dry so I don’t think it’s that. The vents seemed quite tight too but I’ve cleaned everything. There was a bit of muck on the light gaskets again so that’s a possibility. Fingers crossed and I’ll report back. Then I’ve got to try and seal the ZT too! Have a good evening, Everyone, and thanks again. __________________ Spike has the rubber boots. I'm James and mine are leather.

16th May 2021, 11:39	#4
rab60bit Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Wilmslow Posts: 1,513 Thanks: 433 Thanked 301 Times in 212 Posts	Just a thought 'cos I've got the same problem and still scratching my head for solutions. If your boot is taking in water whilst parked up then it's unlikely that the vents are the culprit - might save yourself some unnecessary work.

16th May 2021, 19:06	#7
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	After trying most of the boot 'fixes' my final attempt worked, Captain Tolley's around the lower portion of the rear screen, and as someone mentioned, along the overlapped seams around the top of the boot below the window. Pretty cheap fix.

16th May 2021, 20:24	#9
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,704 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	I agree. They are dreadful for letting in water. Both tourers and saloons.

16th May 2021, 20:45	#10
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Quote:___SPIKE.---------- duck tape… you name it, I’ve tried it. And a bit more help------DUCT tape.---