LEAKING S1

[mbphillips]

Not had her long, and it's the first time it's rained properly since and to my disgust the rain is getting in and soaking the leather and cloth on the side frame, then running down onto the floor(quite a lot)-it's entering from the front of the soft top (through a tiny gap on both sides)- drip, drip, drip, even when i'm driving!! I've put some rags in there for the momment, but i'm not sure I like this fix for a permanant solution!! does this happen to anyone else ? all suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanx, M11RT P

[garydvo]

Standard.

Buy an Emental Shower cap and put ontop of the soft top.

Gary

[Esprit]

Mine's been good.... driven it in torrential rain twice since I've had it and on both occasions not a drop has even looked like getting in..... if you spray it in hard on the side windows with a hose when washing it, it'll let the odd drip in, but realistically the rain never hits at this angle and intensity.... my hood is getting some reinforced stitching put in soon as my original is wearing around the front, but other than that it works fine..... by FAR the most watertight convertible I've been in.

[matrs]

Mines peed water in for three years!, all part of the fun! Take an old tea towel out and dry it up!

[stuartb]

Best option is an elemental. Water proofing the roof with the Autoglym stuff or simalar is also good. failing that, buy a 4 beer towels / bar runners
http://search.ebay.co.uk/beer+towel
(two for each side) they fit well and won't annoy the missus when she realises you pinched her best towels from the bathroom

[mbphillips]

Thanx for the advice lads, will get a cover and re-protect the roof then see how I get on.

[steff]

mbphillips said:

Not had her long, and it's the first time it's rained properly since and to my disgust the rain is getting in and soaking the leather and cloth on the side frame, then running down onto the floor(quite a lot)-it's entering from the front of the soft top (through a tiny gap on both sides)- drip, drip, drip, even when i'm driving!! I've put some rags in there for the momment, but i'm not sure I like this fix for a permanant solution!! does this happen to anyone else ? all suggestions will be appreciated. Thanx, M11RT P

Welcome to S1 ownership!

TADTS - (They All Do That Sir)

[Mark B]

Also, make sure the roof is centred properly when fitting. When you attach the front edge at the sides, pull them taught before sliding them in (if that makes sense) this often helps. Also, I have heard you can adjust the windows so they go up more, this maybe a problem too.

My S1 is great, it lives in the street and I use it as a daily driver, yes it leaks but not a lot in very very heavy rain. Make sure you have a chamois or cloth available to mop up if it gets really bad...

[Dickster]

Likewise with the centre positioning of the roof.

Also I think the early S1 suffered from this a bit anyway and Lotus put some rubber grommet things on from about 1999 (I think).

[mbphillips]

Thanx for that lads, mine 'is' a 1999 - came home tonight in the rain and only one side leaked (which does match up with the theory of the hood being central)but when I arrived and stopped both sides started leaking again.
Rushed out with the towels - it's still raining, so I may need to change them before too long !!!!

Cheers, M11RP P

[rfoster]

Little tip which works on mine. with the door open, wind the window right up with the window winder, then physically 'lift' window with your hands. On mine, both sides move up a couple of millimetres and this helps to stop the rain getting in, as it provides a better seal.

[Buster44]

rfoster said:

Little tip which works on mine. with the door open, wind the window right up with the window winder, then physically 'lift' window with your hands. On mine, both sides move up a couple of millimetres and this helps to stop the rain getting in, as it provides a better seal.

Will 2nd this advice - works for me even in the downpours we've had recently