REPAIRS PAGE 18
T-BAR ROOF PROBLEMS
As most members will know, the MK1 mainly
comes in 'Coupe' form, ie. with a tilting sunroof - which is perfectly OK for most UK weather conditions
As a bonus - for those very
rare days when the weather is exceptionally hot -the glass sunroof can be
removed entirely and stowed in the top of the forward luggage compartment.
(There are special clips to hold the glass panel just underneath the bonnet.)
The T-bar is of course different - 2 removable glass roof panels which
are stowed behind the seats. This gives more open-air motoring - but at a cost.
The downsides are -
a) More weight - just where it is not needed - at the top of the car. This is not
just the added weight of glass, but also the steel stiffening that has to go
into the roof to attempt to compensate for the loss of steel roof panel. This
penalty is at least 50lb - and does not restore the full body strength.
b) More leaks - the increased sealing area is always going to make the problem
worse. The increased body flex of course just compounds this problem.
It is fair to say that I have never met a T-bar owner that is totally happy with his/her roof.
Many have got so depressed and damp bums as to buy new seals - ca £200
plus fitting. This has nearly always worked - but at a cost.
My T-bar never used to leak
- well at least Ken Salmon swore blind that it didn't before I took delivery
from him. To be fair it didn't -at least at first, but eventually it started,
manifesting itself as a damp drivers seat - not a pleasant feeling on a cold
morning - or any other time!!
I think part of the problem might have had to do with the parking
position on my drive - it is slightly downhill. I did all the usual things -
such as checking all the drain channels were clear, pouring numerous gallons of
water over the roof - all to no avail - sods law guarantees nothing never leaks when testing!
Anyway, to cut a long story short - having heard the numerous sad tales
from other members - usually leading to total seal renewal - I tried my 'el
cheapo' solution (we have to up here in the NE wilderness - the dole queues are
too long to get an SS allowance for new seals!) This half-hearted solution was
just to pack 'bog-standard' window draught excluder underneath the lip of the rubber seal surround.
(Most people must know what this bog-standard stuff is - its
foam rubber about 6mm thick with a self-adhesive backing and peel-off strip. It
is usually white, available from all DIY stores - and costs peanuts.)
Well, to my utter surprise - it worked - the car has been parked out in
all sorts of miserable NE England weather (definitely not recommended!) - but
has stayed as dry as a bone!
It could be that I just got lucky - but who am I to complain. It might
not work for everyone but its damn well worth a try before splashing out £200 on new seals!
The job took 20 minutes and cost the whole of £1 in materials.
However - I can't guarantee its success on your car - but it’s worth a try.
Footnote - in terms of choice for potential new buyers - if given the choice I would pick
the coupe sunroof option - less weight and more reliable. Total purists prefer
the 'tin-tops' for lightness - but they are very rare indeed, and designed for
masochists in hot weather. ( cheeky sod - you're only jealous - Ed. )
ALAN JONES