Incessant leaks... and a scary braking encounter

[rsawatson]

As with last year, despite the fact that I have now renewed the rear side window rubbers, rear window rubbers, windscreen rubbers and bulkhead rubber, there is still a considerable amount of water leaking into the car. Could the door seal rubbers have anything to answer for, as I have not renewed these?

The water seems to collect in the outer regions of the front and rear footwells, and also a small amount in the glove box on the passenger's side. Looking at a recent post, perhaps the sealing rubber on the base of the windscreen wiper mount could be a source of the problem? Any advice on this would be appreciated, as I really cannot see how it is getting into the back.

The 'scary encounter' mentioned in the title refers to a braking anomaly which happened the other day. After being dormant for a day in the very heavy rain, I drove to the end of my road and went to brake - only to find that pushing the pedal was having no effect. The pedal was rock hard. However, after giving it a good thump with my foot it appeared that the brakes 'freed up' and I nearly went through the windscreen ! They have been fine every since then; I've checked the fluid level and all is well. I've driven a couple of hundred miles since then and it's all been fine. Was this incident just freak, or is it a tell-tale sign to something that needs further examination?

Cheers,

Ryan

[marcusthemoose]

as for the leak i would check three things.
1. the gaskets around the bottom of the wiper mounts
2.the gaskets around the bonnet hinges
3. the seal around the back edge of the bonnet

also worth a check maybe the seal around the gearbox tunnel and dip switch?

door seals probably wouldn't go amiss either

the braking problem could be master cylinder related, such as the piston sticking in the bore? perhaps someone else may be along who is a bit more helpful in this sense.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

Also worth checking were the windscreen washers go through the body, I had one that poured into the glove boxes through there. Ive no idea what was going on with the brakes, but would suggest a good going over and check everything is ok.

[rsawatson]

Thanks both for your suggestions. The damp only seems to come in when it rains, so I'd guess it's not related to the screen washer - but as you say still worth a check. The ingress on the passenger's side is much worse than I realised; the parcel shelf was nigh-on saturated when I checked earlier today. Yet, when I stuck my hand up behind the glove box and had a good feel around, it all seems bone dry - making it very hard to trace where it's coming from! I suppose I could take out the glove box and have a look that way.

Bonnet hinge/wiper gaskets sound like likely culprits, as the water is coming in from around that area - and I don't believe it to be the windscreen. As for the back of the car, God only knows... I'll stuff in some more sealing compound in case miscreant trickles are making their way past the rubbers.

[kennatt]

I would say about 100% wiper or hinge gaskets,if the screen was leaking you would see it running over the dash,Or (Hope not) the frame has rusted through under the screen rubber,if you get under the dash with a torch you will be able to see the screen frame if there is any sign of rusty water(you might need to take the parcel shelf out to see properly) worth doing just for peace of mind.As far as the brakes sounds like a sticky piston in the system but if now free,just try the brakes each time you get in the car,they tend to stick when they have been left standing for a time,but never the less worth a check round when you have the time.

[Dryad]

As with last year, despite the fact that I have now renewed the rear side window rubbers, rear window rubbers, windscreen rubbers and bulkhead rubber, there is still a considerable amount of water leaking into the car. Could the door seal rubbers have anything to answer for, as I have not renewed these?

The water seems to collect in the outer regions of the front and rear footwells,

This is exactly the problem I'm having with my Minor. I know it's not the screen rubbers as I checked using a torch when it rained heavily all day yesterday! As far as I can see it seems to be coming in through the door seal right next to the A-posts, so I think the rain is entering the seal at the top, then rinning down in side it, then exiting where the door seal ends into the car. The seals are in excellent condition but the front doors need adjusting on their hinges as they are not a snug fit, so it could be the doors need to actually touch the seals all round in order for the seals to work.

[bmcecosse]

Can only suggest as per the others - get in the car with a torch while it's raining - or someone simulates rain with a hose pipe. Not hosing the car directly - just up in the air making rain. As for the brakes - I NEVER move any of my cars without first checking the brakes - and then again immediately it starts to roll. Same with trains - we always make a test brake application at low speed as soon as we leave a station where the brake connections have been changed.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

I didnt mean leaking when using the windscreen washers, I meant leaking in through the hole in the bulkhead that they go through when its raining!! The sealing rubber there can also perish.

[rsawatson]

Thanks all for your suggestions - seeing as there's no evidence of water leaking via the windscreen, I'm swaying towards blaming the wiper gaskets/bonnet hinge seals. Regarding the back of the car - my door seals are pretty old now, although the doors do fit snugly, so maybe I should replace these and see if it makes a difference - as I cannot see where else it could be coming from!

[bmcecosse]

Rear window - side windows - there's no limit to the number of places water can get into a Minor!

[kennatt]

lift the carpets and have a look at the inner sill just in case,also lift the rear seat and look at the floor again just in case.Also take off footwell cards and have a look at the inner wing.Hope all of these are ok good luck with it

[Chris Edgar]

Had a similar experience with the brakes in my wife's tourer not long after we bought it....

I had just filled up with petrol (she says she doesn't know how to do that, so I always get the job).
As it is an automatic I put my foot on the pedal to start the engine & found the pedal, as described "rock hard".
Gave it a kick & all went back to normal.

As soon as I got home, I took up the carpet & found that the elbow from the pedal to the mounting shaft was liable to catch on the side of the slot in the floor, where it passes through.
When I deliberately made this happen, the pedal could not be depressed except with a sharp kick... obviously a disaster awaiting!

I had to open the slot slightly to prevent any further chance of the jamming.

Maybe, over the last 52 years someone had had the floor panel off & not replaced it quite correctly, but any way, it's sorted now. I dread to think the consequences if had jammed. while on the move

May be worth a look to see if there is sufficient clearance where the pedal link passes through the floor

regards
Chris

[bmcecosse]

Good point there Chris - well worth investigating!