New Leak - Help

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, I have a leak coming from the bottom seam of the kidney panel on the inside... drop, drop, drip, drip... It is not from the windscreen, rubber gromet under the bonnet or any of the usual suspects - somehow water is getting between the kidney panel and the outer panel then dripping in... any suggestions?

[bmcecosse]

Bore a hole and inject expanding foam....

[Arthurdaily]

Is that a serious sugestion?

I'm never quite sure with you BMC lol

[simmitc]

If it really isn't the screen, then I suspect that you will need to take the wing off to investigate better. I'm not completely clear on where you mean, as the bottom of the panel is on the top of the sill box (for want of a better description), so I'm guessing the there is a pin hole in the weld between the two? Perhaps you could get a photo?

[bmcecosse]

The sills of early Minis were foam filled by BMC to prevent water leaks into the cars.

[brucek]

See! you didn't realise that it was BMC all along who worked on those early Mini's did you!

[Arthurdaily]

Yes, the water comes from under the bottom of the kidney panel and on to the top of the sill box. I'll go and get a photo...

[Arthurdaily]

Here we go, the arrow shows where actually the panel is bent inwards slightly, the water comes in from there - at the top of the panel, which you can see through the glovebox hole (glove box out) there WAS water coming through from the area round the rubber stopper, but that is all sealed up now, so it must be from somewhere lower than that...

It's not SUPPOSED to have water running through this area is it?

And I have only just got the wing on and sealed and resprayed! Can't understand how water would get under the wing to be able to find a hole really . Ho hum...[frame][/frame]

[Dean]

Could it be running in from the door pillar by the door hinges?

[Arthurdaily]

Hmmm... there is a seam there isn't there? Possible - but I ran water down the pillar and got no extra water...

[Dean]

Do the bolt holes go into this compartment? blast a hose in the gap while the door is closed. There is also that piece screwed on that stops the door opening too wide.

[Arthurdaily]

Good idea - I'll give all those areas a go!

[Arthurdaily]

And you know... I put packing in on that door hinge, the top one, to ensure a proper fitting door which WOULD mean a small gap! I feel a hose pipe experimentation followed hopefully by lashings of seam sealer!

God I hope it is the hinges et al.

[irmscher]

[chickenjohn]

The hinges shouldn't leak into the inside of the kidney panel as the inner wing is (or should be!) a continuous sheet of metal to which the A pillar is welded. The inner "kidney" panel is spot welded to the inner wing.

Take the wing off again and look carefully at the area where the scuttle meets the inner wing/ a pillar and see if there is a pin hole or rust that needs repairing. It is possible that water is running off the screen and into the inside of the kidney panel via a small (or large! ) hole.

BTW, using expanding builders foam on a car is a terrible idea, this will trap moisture and cause the whole area to rust out. Please fix the leak properly!

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, thanks Chicken John - there WERE holes just under the rubber buffer which I scraped out rust proofed and chemical metaled (they were very small) - it is definately not leaking there now as you can see that area from the glove box... it is below there, weirdly, it shouldn't leak of course, as it looked like a continuous piece of metal when I was sorting the car out... but as you say, it is the only area left to check. The top of this kidney panel, however, is not welded at the top? From diagrams it seems at that point there are only two pieces of metal, the outer wing which forms the main structure and has the outer wing bolted on, plus the inner kidney panel. It is attached to the dashboard on the inside, is that correct? I'm going to have to check out the set up on my next project sitting sadly waiting.

[simmitc]

I suggest that whilst you've got the hose out, spray liberally upwards under the wing and see what happens. I'm guessing that there could be a hole in the inner wing. Water would run down through the drain hole between the outer and inner wings, and then in through the hole. I also wonder whether the water is running down the gutter and getting in through a hole at the bottom? I can understand that it's frustrating, but if the area at the top that you can see is dry, then, as you say, it has to be below that. Good luck.

[Arthurdaily]

Good advice - thanks - I'll inspect the inner wing very carefully... and spray!