why did I buy a soft top?!
Discussion
Got a love/hate relationship with my 5 at the moment.
Love: -
RWD
Nippy
LSD
Cheap to run
Reliable
RWD
LSD...
Steering feel
No understeer
Oversteer...
Hate: -
Leaks and I can't fix it
wipers squeek despite changing them and cleaning screen
lazy starts, takes 4 turns to start - battery?
Cam belt squeels occasionally, had it changed 2 months ago, garage say its fine.
Love: -
RWD
Nippy
LSD
Cheap to run
Reliable
RWD
LSD...
Steering feel
No understeer
Oversteer...
Hate: -
Leaks and I can't fix it
wipers squeek despite changing them and cleaning screen
lazy starts, takes 4 turns to start - battery?
Cam belt squeels occasionally, had it changed 2 months ago, garage say its fine.
Re. leaks - buy a car cover, Moss do some really nice ones. You can also check the state of the rubber seals around the roof and adjust them - pull out any of the 3 rubber seal pieces on each side and you'll find a chromed metal plate behind held on with 3 screws - loosen these and you can slide the metal outwards so the rubber will be pressed tighter against the window glass. Do this for all 6 pieces.
The squeaky belt - are you sure it's not just one of the 2 auxilliary belts squeaking rather than the cambelt? Does the noise occur more when steering or using the aircon or with the lights and heater on? If so then one of the tensioners just needs tightening slightly, or else fit a new belt. Both are easy to do.
Wipers - try using some RainX, means you have to use the wipers less often as the water beads up and flows off the screen.
The squeaky belt - are you sure it's not just one of the 2 auxilliary belts squeaking rather than the cambelt? Does the noise occur more when steering or using the aircon or with the lights and heater on? If so then one of the tensioners just needs tightening slightly, or else fit a new belt. Both are easy to do.
Wipers - try using some RainX, means you have to use the wipers less often as the water beads up and flows off the screen.
phil_cardiff said:
Leaks and I can't fix it
Where does it leak?phil_cardiff said:
wipers squeek despite changing them and cleaning screen
Not sure how to help with this. I only get squeeky wipers when they are old.phil_cardiff said:
lazy starts, takes 4 turns to start - battery?
Does it turn over slowly? If so battery is most likely but could be starter. Starters are pretty reliable though and batteries failure is quite common.phil_cardiff said:
Cam belt squeels occasionally, had it changed 2 months ago, garage say its fine.
Cam belts shouldn't squeel. They are toothed belts so it shouldn't be slipping against anything. Did they change the tensioner pulleys when they changed the belt? Are you sure it is the cam belt? Alternator/ps belts are more likely.Wipers
If you wash and wax your car you may find the wax sticks to the screen after, then the blades suffer and the screen will smear as a result.
After washing clean the screen with a CAR glass cleaner, Autoglym being one of the better ones, this product is made to clean but not over clean the screen.
Some products are very strong for example household glass cleaner, great but they dry the screen and the blades drag, jump, judder and squeak.
Leak
Have you tried cleaning all the rubber seals with something like Autoglym vinyl rubber care, this may help to keep a better seal and the rubber more flexible.
Do not use Fairly liquid on your car as it contains salt and ammonia, all bad for your car plus it kills all rubber and removes the wax protection on your drainage channels, the places you do no see until it shows as rust.
If you wash and wax your car you may find the wax sticks to the screen after, then the blades suffer and the screen will smear as a result.
After washing clean the screen with a CAR glass cleaner, Autoglym being one of the better ones, this product is made to clean but not over clean the screen.
Some products are very strong for example household glass cleaner, great but they dry the screen and the blades drag, jump, judder and squeak.
Leak
Have you tried cleaning all the rubber seals with something like Autoglym vinyl rubber care, this may help to keep a better seal and the rubber more flexible.
Do not use Fairly liquid on your car as it contains salt and ammonia, all bad for your car plus it kills all rubber and removes the wax protection on your drainage channels, the places you do no see until it shows as rust.
It leaks from between the windows and the seals (front and middle) though only occasionally. I've beefed up the seals with rubber tubing and adjusted the metal strips.
I'm not sure it's the cambelt squeaking I just assumed it was as it's only been happening since the cambelt was replaced. Anything to worry about or get it looked at a next service in the summer?
I've cleaned the glass with autoglym but still the random juddering and squeek. I can live with it but I my try rain x.
I'm not sure it's the cambelt squeaking I just assumed it was as it's only been happening since the cambelt was replaced. Anything to worry about or get it looked at a next service in the summer?
I've cleaned the glass with autoglym but still the random juddering and squeek. I can live with it but I my try rain x.
phil_cardiff said:
I'm not sure it's the cambelt squeaking I just assumed it was as it's only been happening since the cambelt was replaced. Anything to worry about or get it looked at a next service in the summer?
In that case it's more likely to be a badly adjusted ps or alternator belt.soudns to me like roof... i had a similar leak, beefed up the rubber, moved the seals, didn't help. roof looked in pretty good nick too, not shrunk like some of them you see, just one or two tiny (5mm) areas of cracking.
roof got slashed, got a new one on there, problem solved. water tight now
roof got slashed, got a new one on there, problem solved. water tight now
If you have any of that silicone lube spray, spray some on kitchen towel and rub the rubber seals - it will certainly reduce the leaks. Also, raise windows while doors open and then close the doors. Also, release the roof and tighten the hood catches a turn or so.
Mine leaks sometimes (seats are still damp and have 2 towels living in there permanently at the mo!), but these methods definitely help. I need a new roof really, not shrunk, looks OK and no cracks other than in the edging - which is where it pours in when windows open and I brake for the first time
Mine leaks sometimes (seats are still damp and have 2 towels living in there permanently at the mo!), but these methods definitely help. I need a new roof really, not shrunk, looks OK and no cracks other than in the edging - which is where it pours in when windows open and I brake for the first time
If the wipers are juddering then a bit of adjustment might cure it. Get a pair of pliers and twist the end of the wiper arm where it meets the wiper blade. You're looking to adjust the angle at which the blade is sitting on the windscreen. I don't think there's a correct angle but you'll find something that works with a bit of trial and error.
NiceCupOfTea said:
princeperch said:
FELIX_5 said:
princeperch said:
I got a new cheapo roof from ebay for 57 quid including delivery..
yet to fit it though, I'll save that pleasure for the xmas break.
Was it made out of black bin bags?????? yet to fit it though, I'll save that pleasure for the xmas break.
and
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Edited by princeperch on Friday 19th December 19:01
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