Just been out and checked Max as I noticed lots of condensation on the inside of the windows yesterday, and guess what - there is a huge lake under the carpets AGAIN!As this will be the third time I’ve stripped everthing out and got it all dry I’m going to have to face facts and get some form of protection sorted out. I repaired the rain rail and cleared drain holes earlier in the year so I think this is just an inevitable problem of having the car outside all year round?
Rang the council and they want £40/month for a garage so I’m thinking about one of those ‘perambulator’ designs where the cover folds up over the car (like the hood on a pram) I think they are about £250 on ebay. Biggest problem might be persuading the boss that it wont be an eyesore on the driveway
I tried a car cover last year but it was totally useless, ie didnt keep the water out and actually meant the car stayed wet all the time - anyone any other ideas?
So, so, so sad. Next time we are definitely buying a house with a garage even if it means having an outside loo and no electricity!!!
You mention a driveway, the fold-up things (I think I know the sort you mean) will just attract every low-life with a stanley knife. Is a large shed the answer? Not I guess if it will block the view from front windows but if you have a side drive Argos of all people do some very nice, and attractively priced, self-assembly garages. Keep your little baby dry and warm too!
What did you use to seal up your rain rail??? and did you cover up the pop rivet holes???,duck tape will dry out after time and loose it’s seal.there is better stuff to use that will last and not dry out.
The car should be fine outside all year, and not get wet inside.
My car lives outside, the MK2 went through several winters with just
the soft top and remained dry until a hole in the roof started
letting the water in.
Try to identify where the water is getting in. You said that you
'cleared drain
holes earlier in the year ', how lo ago did you do
this, could they have blocked up again?
I’ve just spent lots of time trying to find perambulator garages for all the same reasons, and I ended up buying one from www.coversshop.co.uk. It’s not pretty, it’s about 95% waterproof, but I think it might be suitable for you. The eBay ones seemed to be very delicate, and prone to flapping in my opinion. My research suggested that gazebos and tents can’t withstand prolonged exposure to the elements. The one I bought was the FG15, fits perfectly! And daren.coversshop@btconnect.com has been very helpful.
Also, Have a look for the Monsoon cover at MX5 parts.
I have just bought a stormforce cover, this was £120 inc delivery. I have only had this for a short while so cannot comment on its performance long term, however when it rained the other day (heavily) the car was completely dry. In fact I had only removed my front wing earlier to find some rust at the bottom (amongst all the leaves and mud in the wheel arch that had cause the rust). The next day despite the rain this area was dry.
I found the following review relating to this cover if it helps.
I stupidly recommended, earlier, the perambulator garage from coversshop. Unfortunately! It’s not waterproof, and the, admittedly, high winds today just blew it open! Waste of money!
I’m going back to the Monsoon cover I bought from MX5Parts!
It is a challenge isnt it? I’m wondering if the only real long-term solution is to buy a hard top. More expensive than other options but it is effective, and you know you’ll get your money back when you come to sell. Aparently some people drive around with them still on too…
Car is going back to Autolink (who fitted the hood last year) on Weds to see if they can find the leak.
What with wet carpets and yesterdays fiasco with the sump drian plug / oil change (or lack of!) I dont feel like I’m making much progress at the moment. I’m sure that will all change if I can get out for an hour today and do a quick spin round the local country lanes
Well, problem is sorted - we cant afford to eat for the rest of the month, but at least Max will be dry inside. A split rain rail was the culprit. Andrew and Julian at Autolink have replaced the brittle and cracked original Mk1 version with a nice rubberised flexible one from a Mk2. They removed two and a half pints of water at the same time!!! I guess the cost compares to a top end cover or ‘permbulator’ garage and is definately better, and is only half the price of a hard top.
Of course its pouring down here in Southampton again today so I can go out later and just check it is definately all watertight…
As this will be the third time I’ve stripped everthing out and got it all dry I’m going to have to face facts and get some form of protection sorted out. I repaired the rain rail and cleared drain holes earlier in the year so I think this is just an inevitable problem of having the car outside all year round?