Testing For Leaks.

[Uncle Bob]

I guess a fair few of you have cars covered under warranty but for me I've bought an AYGO over 3 years old with my eyes fully open of the potential problems, so with onset of poor weather across the UK over the next 24hrs, I've set up a few tests to see if i have any problems.

Not a very technical test but one i picked up from my days as a mechanic working for Austin Rover, first buy some kids chalk sticks and run chalk over the rubber door seals, also over the boot seal and draw chalk lines under the rear lights in the boot, then if any water gets in, it washes the chalk away and gives you a chance to find the leak.

What you should see after a good down pour is a line of chalk around the rubber seals with no break in the chalk were the door touches it.

So strangely enough I'm looking forward to rain tonight, that way I'll know if I've make a good purchase or a lemon......fingers crossed :)

[moonstone mart]

Alot of the time when leaking in through the doors it is the inner door membrane that leaks. Very poorly stuck to the door.

Mart.

[Unklian]

Here's my two pence worth......

I think one on the causes of the leaks into the rear footwell can

be caused by the attitude in which the car is parked.

When an Aygo is parked on the level, water enters the top door gap,

lands on the top seal and runs down the slope to the front of the car

where it leaves the door aperture at the bottom of the hinges.

If the Aygo is left nose uphill, the top door seal is near horizontal.

which means water has a chance to enter the air holes and fill the rubber tubing. (This must come back out somewhere).

also, with nose uphill, any water on top of the sills will pool at the rear corner of the door.

It doesn't take much lean to the left or right (parked on a kerb?) to allow the water to

spill inside the car over the top of the rubber.

We always try to leave our Aygos parked nose downhill if possible.

Also, I use furniture polish on the seals.

The wax / silicone finish encourages water to bead up and stick,

rather than seeping through.

Ian.

[Uncle Bob]

I've yet to take a look outside at the AYGO, as its heavy rain here in Kent

[Uncle Bob]

Well I'm happy to report she's dry but i will try the furniture polish trick :)