Diagnostic; Water Leaks - MG MG6 Series 2011 Service Manual

Body Repair

Diagnostic

Water Leaks

General Information
Where water leakage is involved, always adopt a logical
approach to the problem using a combination of skill,
experience and intuition. Do not reach a conclusion based
only on visual evidence, such as assuming that a wet footwell
is caused by a leak emanating from the windscreen. It will
often be found that the source of the leak is elsewhere. Use
of the correct procedure will increase the chance of locating
a leak, however obscure it may seem.
Tools and Equipment
The following tools and equipment are recommended for the
purpose of detection and rectification of water leaks:
1. Garden sprayer (hand-operated)
2. Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
3. Dry, absorbent cloths
4. Battery torch
5. Small mirror
6. Weatherstrip locating tool
7. Trim panel remover
8. Small wooden or plastic wedges
9. Dry compressed air supply
10. Hot air blower
11. Sealer applicators
12. Ultrasonic leak detector
During leak detection, the vehicle should be considered in
three basic sections:
• The front interior space.
• The rear passenger space.
• The loadspace or boot.
Testing
From the information supplied by the customer it should be
possible for the bodyshop operator to locate the starting point
from which the leak may be detected. After the area of the
leak has been identified, find the actual point of entry into the
vehicle.
A simple and effective means in the first instance is an ordinary
garden spray with provision for pressure and jet adjustment,
which will allow water to be directed in a jet or turned into a
fine spray. Use a mirror and a battery-powered torch (NOT a
mains voltage inspection lamp) to see into dark corners.
The sequence of testing is particularly important. Start at the
lowest point and work slowly upwards, to avoid testing in one
Version 2.0
area while masking the leak in another. For example, if testing
started at the level of the windscreen, any water cascading into
the plenum chamber could leak through a bulkhead grommet
and into the footwells. Even at this point it could still be
wrongly assumed that the windscreen seal was at fault.
Another important part of identifying a water leak is by
visual examination of door aperture seals, grommets and
weatherstrips for damage, deterioration or misalignment,
together with the fit of the door itself against the seals.
Note: Check the colour of the water around the leak. If
the water is dirty, the leak is from under the vehicle. If the
water is clean, it is from above.
Sealing
When the point of the leak has been detected, it will then be
necessary to rectify it using the following procedure:
1. Renew all door aperture seals and weatherstrips which
have suffered damage, misalignment or deterioration
2. Check all body seals to ensure that they are correctly
located on their mounting flanges/ faces using a lipping
tool if necessary
3. Dry out body seams to be treated using compressed air
and/or a hot air blower as necessary
4. Apply sealant on the outside of the joint wherever
possible to ensure the exclusion of water
5. When rectifying leaks between a screen glass and it's
weatherstrip (or in the case of direct glazing, between the
glass and bodywork), avoid removing the glass if possible.
Apply the approved material at the appropriate location
(i.e. glass to weatherstrip or glass to body)
Primary Door Seal Replacement
The primary door seals on the front and rear doors are bonded
into position. It is imperative that the following points are
adhered to when replacing a seal:
• The area of the door where the seal is to be bonded
must be thoroughly cleaned. Do not use paint thinners
for cleaning the door.
• The ideal temperature of the seal and door when bonding
is 25° C (77° F). The seal will not bond properly if either
the door or seal is below 18° C (64° F).
• When initially fitting the seal, apply only a light pressure,
this allows the seal to be removed and repositioned if
necessary. If repositioning the seal, do not touch or allow
the contact surfaces to be contaminated in any way.
Collision Repair
868