General Bumble's Bee

[afroking]

There is a very simple way to cure leaks.
Just use black silicon on the seals.
It is waterproof and you can't tell its there.
When you want to remove it, just peal it off.

Job done.

 

[bumble]

You have mentioned this fix before mate. How do you stop the mastic from sticking to the windows? I was thinking, maybe smearing the glass with some Vaseline or similar?? Anyway, half term holidays are here so, once marking is done, I may get time to have a look at a couple of jobs including a new tinny rattle from the bacofoil heat shield and a heated rear window that doesn't work.

Steve

 

[HP]

Heatshield lower mount on mine had cracked away due to vibration, by the looks of things. Made up a strengthening bracket to go the full width of the lower lip of it - seems to have worked.

 

[Abarth barchetta]

Just take the heat shield off then wrap the manifold and lower exhaust in heat wrap, far less aggrevation and no tinny rattles.

 

[afroking]

I wouldn't use heat wrap personally. One theory behind the danger of heat wrap is that the heat isn't dissipated through means of radiation, instead it soaks back into the cylinder head to the detriment of cylinder temperatures and overall performance and longevity of the engine.

 

[afroking]

You have mentioned this fix before mate. How do you stop the mastic from sticking to the windows? I was thinking, maybe smearing the glass with some Vaseline or similar?? Anyway, half term holidays are here so, once marking is done, I may get time to have a look at a couple of jobs including a new tinny rattle from the bacofoil heat shield and a heated rear window that doesn't work.

Steve

Well, put the windows in the fully down position and mastic gaps between the hardtop rubber and the rubber around the front screen, also mastic any gaps along the front edge where the hardtop meets the screen seal. I wouldn't put any along the top of the window, instead adjust the window until you get a good watertight seal. You can check for water ingress using a watering can of garden hose.

Just takes an hour or so to get it perfect.

 

[bumble]

Thing is. I dont want to adjust the windows as the fit against the hood is perfect. I actually get a better water seal with the hood, rather than the hardtop and, as the car sleeps in the garage most of the time, I'm thinking of taking the hard top off. I might give the black mastic a go though. I think the vaseline idea might work.

Steve

 

[afroking]

Thing is do you really want to keep getting that soft top wet?
They are designed to be used as a, "**** get me home!" sort of thing.
Where as the hardtop is more of a, "I'm living in denial, I bought a convertible now I'm damn well going to use it rain or shine."

 

[wish mine was orange]

Thing is. I dont want to adjust the windows as the fit against the hood is perfect. I actually get a better water seal with the hood, rather than the hardtop and, as the car sleeps in the garage most of the time, I'm thinking of taking the hard top off. I might give the black mastic a go though. I think the vaseline idea might work.

Steve[/QUOT

get your hard top off man mine live out side all year round and it is fine, this is a soft top car so meant to be used and driven with soft top and i have had no problem if you waterproof every six months you get no trouble.if you keep hard top on all year you might as well get a coupe imo.
and summer on the way

 

[F4usT]

about hardtop... is more warm with hardtop inside in winter? i bought one because i need barch for daily use and i think in winter softtop is not best solution because it's not heat resist and it may crack... when you have 30cm of snow on.

 

[bumble]

Mine has the original PVC hood which is in pretty good condition apart from the external seam around the rear window which has pulled out of the hard rubber trim. I think the car looks better as a soft top, whether the hood is up or down. You often see convertible owners with the tops down even in winter and I do wonder about the consequences of folding the rear window when its cold. As for the warmth - yes, it has to be better but, to be honest, the heaters are very effective anyway. The biggest difference is the reduction in noise and improved rear visibility.

 

[wish mine was orange]

f4ust is right cracking is the only fear, but its not often that cold in the uk, thank goodness, as for noise and cold i don't have problem with either. but i guess pvc maybe a little nosier i haven't tried one.

 

[F4usT]

where i live can be very cold. in winter one day can be +5°c and next day -25°c. you can spit ice cubes... even penguins are asking for warm tea... very cold winter and very warm summer. but 300km far from me (near Adriatic sea) where i bought hardtop they say it's very cold when is +10°c...

 

[HP]

Thing is do you really want to keep getting that soft top wet?
They are designed to be used as a, "**** get me home!" sort of thing.
Where as the hardtop is more of a, "I'm living in denial, I bought a convertible now I'm damn well going to use it rain or shine."

Are the original vinyl roofs that bad?

Mine has a DTR fitted Mohair hood - the only places it leaks even in torrential rain are where the two rubber seals meet at the top back corner of the windows.

 

[F4usT]

mohair is made from goats wool... it's also used for winter hats, socks...
[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohair[/ame]

 

[bumble]

I don't think Mohair roofs are made of actual Mohair. Confusing, I know.

 

[afroking]

Are the original vinyl roofs that bad?

Mine has a DTR fitted Mohair hood - the only places it leaks even in torrential rain are where the two rubber seals meet at the top back corner of the windows.

I was referring to both soft tops mohair or vinyl.
When you use the car every day and water keeps dripping on your arm or leg it stops being cute very quickly.
As soon as we get into spring the hardtop is coming off and the soft top is coming up.
No point spending £400+ on a soft top to ruin it by leaving it outside to be attacked by UV rays and rain/sleet/snow/salt etc. in my opinion.

 

[F4usT]

maybe mohair hood is called for fabric hood, while vinyl is plastic. if saw some BMW that have fabric (mohair?) hood, and i poke it with finger... on touch was like blanket with some thick very short hair... not plastic.

and about window back.. after i replace roof, upholsterer add some different window, it's soft and more flexible. while original was hard and when crack, it crack was like glass...

 

[bumble]

"As soon as we get into spring the hardtop is coming off and the soft top is coming up"


I'm with you mate - roll on spring. (Did I just agree with you? What's the world coming to?)

 

[afroking]

"As soon as we get into spring the hardtop is coming off and the soft top is coming up"


I'm with you mate - roll on spring. (Did I just agree with you? What's the world coming to?)

Hopefully no one else will realise you are in agreement!