11 replies to this topic

[paulsmithlookerafterer]

Afternoon all.

 

I know windscreens and sealing them is a well covered topic on here but wnated a bit more my particular query.  

 

The cars in the bodyshop for work and amoungst a lot of other things the scuttle panel was ear-marked for replacement. That was it, until they took the windscreen out and found  that the rust had destroyed the top dash rail and the top couple of inches of the bulkhead. That can all be sorted but was wondering what new seal to put in.

 

Looked on minspares and the seal for mine a (a 1999 model) apparently has an extra lip on it that traps water and causes rust...!   You dont say!  Its also says that "many owners fit the older type seal for pre-91 cars."   Is this the case? Anybody done this? Is there issues fitting an early type seal to a later model?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

[paulsmithlookerafterer]

Bump

[MrIan]

Not sure about the different seals being the issue here as my 1988 mini has a rotted out scuttle / bulkhead and dash rail too. If you look the majority of cars that have this trouble are i've found mid 80s onwards. Look at barn find rotten mk1s n mk2s and I bet their scuttlse around the screen are ok as will be the dash rail and bulkhead. I recon it's pure bad build quality, lack of rust prevention and lack of sealant on the screen seal.

[Jordie]

Scuttle, dash rail, bulkhead is common on the MPI engine'd cars. Combo of poor metal and poor prep/paint at the factory.

 

I have fitted the wider / later seal to most cars ive done over the years, havent see any signs of the seal causing extra or faster rot in the area.

[MrIan]

A bit of photographic evidence on ebay - 1966 very poor condition but check the scuttle / dash rail / bulkhead seam . Ebay number

141406077260

[HarrysMini]

I thought the wider seal went over the top of the lip on the scuttle meaning water could get trapped. 

 

I fit the narrower version, as it sits within the lip so there's no place for water to sit.

[paulsmithlookerafterer]

 

A bit of photographic evidence on ebay - 1966 very poor condition but check the scuttle / dash rail / bulkhead seam . Ebay number

141406077260

 

 

Wow, yeah I see what you mean. That's a brave soul to take that one on!

 

Thanks for all the replies. It seems it's more down to the original build quality more than anything else but random too. Friday afternoon job maybe?  Sort of makes sense as the roof gutters have always got water in but there's no rust up there. The wider seal definitely traps water though, as there was plenty in it when the bodyshop pulled it out, even after months of the car being inside.

 

Might go with narrower/older seal though to at least remove that factor.

 

Thanks again

Edited by paulsmithlookerafterer, 22 September 2014 - 10:39 AM.

[MrIan]

Yes it's a shame about the build quality, most would feel a newer car would be in better condition than an older 70s model but when you factor in the lower grade steel and skimping here n there to cut costs it doesn't always work out that way. If the smaller seal fits and people says it's better then go for it. I'm sure though as long as it's water tight,  well paint protected and the metalwork seam sealed in that area you'll have no more trouble. !!!!!!!!!! fingers crossed eh?

[rusty998]

It doesn't really matter which rubber you use just as long as you seal it up before you fit the insert, body and glass side or it will leak

[Fast Ivan]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a97613857

[rusty998]

I have used Arbomast for 25 years plus, it's ok but will dry and crack and eventually the windows will leak, the best stuff I have used is 3M's 08509, it stays soft and doesn't dry, I have used it for the last 5 year's it's a very good product, I have done my own mini back in 2010 and it's dry in my car.

[paulsmithlookerafterer]

Yes it's a shame about the build quality, most would feel a newer car would be in better condition than an older 70s model but when you factor in the lower grade steel and skimping here n there to cut costs it doesn't always work out that way. If the smaller seal fits and people says it's better then go for it. I'm sure though as long as it's water tight,  well paint protected and the metalwork seam sealed in that area you'll have no more trouble. !!!!!!!!!! fingers crossed eh?

 

Yeah I'm expecting this to come out the bodyshop with much better paintwork and protection than it had when it was first built!

 

It doesn't really matter which rubber you use just as long as you seal it up before you fit the insert, body and glass side or it will leak

 

Didn't realise you need to add sealant for these windscreens, thought they were just reliant on the rubber seal - which is obviously flawed. I'll talk to the bodyshop and see what they have done before and what products they use. They've done a few minis in their time and have got another one in at the moment.

 

Whatever gets done, at least I know to look out for it now!