Very leaky Hood = wife unhappy.

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:10 pm

Well... it's taken almost 2 months, but today was the 1st time the wife had a moan about the 'Liz.

I can understand her point of view actually.

Always garaged, but I parked it up at the Gyle Shopping Centre for about 1.5hrs today... yes, it was raining but I've seen Elises out in all weather.

We got back to the car and she sat down to a very soggy seat. To rub salt in the wounds, mine was bone dry. All the way home it was dripping and she was trying to keep the water at bay with a napkin.

Got it home and I think it may be the seal where the passenger window meets it (near the front, there is a slight ridge on the seal)... Took the plastic cover from the mechanism on that side and there is a bit of cloth along the edge that is soaking.

So, is this a typical area of leakage for the Elise? Got a Lotus Approved Warranty, so should I go back to MMC and ask for a replacement hood (as it's not coming from windscreen)... or do I just accept it as a flaw?

Was planning on using the 'Liz for weekend breaks and all that... so if the passenger seat can get soaked in just 1.5hrs of being parked up in Scottish weather... then, I'm not too sure I'm happy about using it for our weekend ABZ jont in April.

Andy.

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:14 pm

Have you used a water-proofer on the roof?

Fabsil tent water-proofing stuff or similar from millets etc, or Auto Glym hood cleaner and protector kit.

woody · Post by **woody** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:16 pm

accept it.

ok, mine's an S1 but i was thourghly unhappy at being pissed upon from left, right, above AND below today

The lack of rubber mats in mine due to floor corrosion has exposed the fact the floors aren't properly sealed either

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:27 pm

Don't think a water-proofer will help here Mack. The water isn't coming through the canvas... it's getting in the passenger side seal by the looks of it, somehow.

Then drips in to the sill, leaves a big puddle and starts splashing on to the Alcantara seat (not just the side bolsters, but the seat cushion)

Was fine when we drove to the Gyle in the wet, but the period of standing for an hour or so was enough for the puddle to start. Which also meant the windows were steamed up quite badly on the way home.

I'm going to wait for it to dry out and then put a watering can on the passenger side to see if I can see the ingress. I'd hope MMC could change the seals on the roof or something??? Failing that, try a new roof?

Andy G · Post by **Andy G** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:27 pm

Hi Gorrie

I would go back to MMC. You only just got it right?

Its normally just the seals and treating the roof does help. I had a wee leak in mine, treated the roof and re-aligned the seal, hasn't leaked since!

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:42 pm

OK, cheers for your replies.. yep just got it in January from MMC (although it was a used example)... and todays leaks were on a par with my old kit car.

I'll try the water proofer stuff anyway, and will then try my watering can exercise... so that I've got as much info for MMC as possible.

Don't mind the occasional drip... but that much in that short a time is not good.

Cheers,

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:47 pm

Sure she doesn't need incontinence pants?

DDtB · Post by **DDtB** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:49 pm

Gareth wrote:Sure she doesn't need incontinence pants?

I dare you to say that to her face.....

Post by **simon** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:04 pm

Check the windows meet the roof seal correctly, they can be adjusted if they don't. Probably best working out where the leak is coming from before taking it to MMC.

Mine doesn't leak at all so there's no reason yours should.

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:10 pm

Agree, window height.

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:06 pm

Yup, I had a similar leak (although not as much water!) on the driver's side. They adjusted the window and cleaned the seal and it's now fine most of the time.

Mine also has wee drip tray things near the front end of the window where it meets the windscreen surround to catch such drips. Not sure if these can be fitted on a car that didn't come with them?

james · Post by **james** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:11 pm

My soft top doesnt leak at all - even during heavy rain. (ok the hard top is on at present but Im thinking back to last summer/autumn)

So thats the standard to aim for. Only time I get wet is when I open the door/window and the rain runs off the roof (hardtop usually.)

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:30 pm

That's a pretty common problem with mine mate - normally as the roof hasn't been put on just right. Try taking the roof off, centering the lug correctly, and re-checking for the offending gap.

As others have said - take back to MMC if its still a problem, which failing, carry a roll of duck tape in the boot to slap a slither over the offending gap when away for a long weekend. Job's a parsnip

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:33 pm

hmmz - S2 problem, S1 owner answers...

Sorry mate, yours won't have a lug, so just take out the spars, and maybe clip in the pax side before the driver's to make sure its the drive who gets wet on

Duckt tape advice stands

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:43 pm

GregR wrote: and maybe clip in the pax side before the driver's to make sure its the drive who gets wet on

That's actually what the manual tells you to do . . . I wonder if that's why??!