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Sill Drain Holes

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:04 pm
by dunketh
Can I make some?

Also I'd like a hole directly beneath the B pillar - it seems that despite completely sealing the sill covers with mastic they still manage to fill up with water!

Is it just a matter of drilling holes in the bottom of the sill? Would it still pass MOT?

cheers
jon

drain holes

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:41 pm
by Willie
The Minor is woefully short of drain holes and you can add any wherever
you fancy. It is a fact that the more air is able to circulate and the more the condensation is able to escape the longer the box sections etc will last. The sill sections of the Minor have drain holes(not enough) which are not actually situated at the lowest point so that water can still sit in there. The rearmost section of the boot floor benefits from some added
holes too. The only thing to watch under the sills is that the holes are not shaped so that they can collect water thrown up by the front wheels.
It is important to deburr any new holes and to ensure that they are not
clogged up with Waxoyl etc. The ideal would be to fit front mud flaps as low as is possible to prevent the blasting of water and muck along the chassis.

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:43 pm
by Rob_Jennings
I would never use mastic or sealant anywhere on a car to stop water, you just going to do what you have demonstrated (trap water) and make things worse.

A previous owner of my car has sealed the rear windows rather than correct the drainage problems so making a mess which I will sort out this summer by reinstating the drainage holes.

I thought the sills are slightly open at front and rear so water does get in.... but also exits by those points? The best you can do is waxoil from time to time to keep them healthy rather than sealing in the damp (which is what patch welding over them encourages). Also a good idea to stiff brush any mud from the underside and inner wings regularly to remove moisture traps and keep any drainage points clear.