BUGA Community
Technical => Exteriors and Interiors => Topic started by: Gordon on May 25, 2014, 08:00:07 PM
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So how many of you out there in Beddyland have taken a corner in the rain only to get showered by a stream of cold water pouring in through the top of your door??
Before you ask I've got well aligned doors and almost new rubber seals, so I'm figuring the cause lies somewhere else - possibly a design issue. I've noticed combinations of holes / grooves / notches cut at various positions in roof gutters in an attempt to channel the water elsewhere. I spotted a really neat notch on Ray's custom van earlier today that seems to be well placed on the side of the van just behind the door and almost in line with the beginning of the recessed side panel. Seems like a good option but I thought I would get some additional advice before I start hacking in to my pristine gutters.
Would be keen to hear what others think.
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It's sort of a design issue.
A lot depends on the way you park, if you park with front pointing down hill, do your front gutters, if back lower do the rear ones.
If you do the front, a slit on the front corners fixes it (slit on bottom fold), some were added by factory but are often welded up when rusted or are just closed up, or even sealed up.
Back ones can be notched or slit on back corners, don't go over the back doors as water can find it way inside.
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YEEEPPPPP ! Sliders are worse ! :(
Also let in cold air too BRRRRR I always have a blanket in van so i can put over my lap and legs to keep warm, as there is a very strong breeze that flows in! only a real dedicated beddy lover would put up with it ! ;D ;D ;D ;D
hey i have noticed too that the slamer door windows have a bit missing out of the top, so there's a little gap even with window rolled up, any notice this and know why its there?
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The window cut out I believe is for the smokers, so can open just a tad to flick the ash out without opening the whole window. Also helps getting the windows in
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Hi Gordon,
For a better seal, you could try adding a thin strip of rubber along the top of the door jamb.
A vehicle restorer mentioned using a strip of adhesive clear vinyl along the jamb, with a smear of vaseline.
Cheers.
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Thanks for the tip Hobbit,
Busy, I've just double checked and my gutters already have the half moon cut outs at the front corners of the windscreen and a rectangular cut on each side towards the back. I'm thinking of making similar half moon cuts exactly where Ray has them and they maybe looking at an alternative seal like Hobbit has suggested. I have already replaced the standard pinch weld trim around each front door with a trim that incorporated a half round seal. Makes the doors a bugger to shut, but it certainly has reduced the amount of leaking.
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Wendy, I'll post some pics of the extra rubber seal that I have fitted around my door openings in the morning. I've never seen a van with sliders in the flesh, so not sure if it will help you, but it might be worth a try. I bought the seals new but I've seen the same thing on the side sliding doors of the Jap mini vans, so you may even be able to get a cheap second hand piece to try before you splash out on new.
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My white van had holes drilled on the side (same place as Ray's) but parking the van pointing down made the water run down the door gap
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Best idea i seen was cutting front gutter off across front of screen at front corner of front door and
Continuing down front door pillar.
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Okay Wendy, I've taken a few pics for you. This pic is of the standard pinch weld that is usually attached to the body around the door opening. Not sure if this is the same on a sliding door version.
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This is a picture of the new pinch weld that incorporates a half round rubber seal. I bought this straight off the shelf from a place that stocks rubber bits and pieces.
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This is a picture of the new pinch weld fitted to my van.
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Ok Thanx for the pics Gordon
heres some pics of my sliders...nice on a hot summers day driving with doors locked open. Cold in winter even when closed. leaks air and water real bad.Even with the cover over top slider...i have experienced the cold shower :(
Sliders need a lot of maintenance thou , cleaning dirt out of tracks and keeping fresh grease so the doors open & close easy.
They also don't match up to body properly with the square rubber we found...definitely have a look for the pinch weld :)
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even thou the doors leak air and water
STILL LOVE ME BEDDY ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Hi wendyh I have never been a fan of sliders Can you fit slam doors to your beddie I think I have seen somewhere that you can I have double seals on mine don't think they leak then again I haven't had it out in the rain yet just washing & it hasn't leaked yet
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Thanks for the photos Wendy. it sure is different to the slam doors. Very interesting to see how they have been setup. I see you already have the pinch weld with incorporated rubber on the rear vertical part of your door opening. Not sure what else you could do to keep the draft and water out.
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Well I spent today in the shed fitting my new B&M auto shifter that arrived from the USA yesterday and while I was pottering away I spent a good bit of time thinking through the gutter modifications and I have come to the conclusion that no matter how many grooves or slots I make in the gutters its not going to solve the problem. Busy's comments about the angle of the van make sense and this is supported by the fact that the water gushes in when you take a bend in the road, stop suddenly or if you are parked at a particular angle. I reckon the only answer is to work out a seal at the top of the door that will prevent the water getting in, just like Hobbit has stated.
I'll keep you all posted on my progress.
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Ahh restoried..yeah the slammers fit straight in but i love the sliders, makes it bearable to go on drives on hot hot days!
And the looks you get from people is priceless too ;D especially young kids who have never seen a beddy let alone one that can drive with doors open :D :D :D
Gordon those were out of a kia carniavl when we raided it for seats and seat belts, i thought they would be good too. didnt know it was called pinch weld. and when we were up at bedford mannor we realized the pinch weld should go on the door as well as the body DUH!
But there is not where to put the pinch weld along the top of ours doors so i will still be surprised by an occasional cold shower in the wet.
Thanx for your help
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Hi guys, all the rubbers you need for the beddy, you can get from clark rubber. When i was there last time i got a heap of samples to test fit on my van.
george
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Okay Team, I think I've solved the problem. I had a piece of foam strip with an adhesive backing lying around, so thought I would give it a go. I stuck it right on the edge of the door opening, closed the door, then borrowed the missus' watering can and proceeded to pour a whole can full of water into the gap between roof gutter and the top of the door. Not a drop came in at the top of the door, but I did have heaps running out from behind my door cards which makes me think that I did a crap job of sealing the plastic sheeting that I glued over the door openings before re-installing my door cards.
The foam seal I have used is probably not that robust, so I'll look at my local rubber supplier for something a bit more hardy, but at least I've proved the concept. Roll on the next set of heavy showers. Can't wait.
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Hate to put a dampener on your idea, but if you have lower pressure inside the cabin, the water will be "sucked in" the van!
Having a window open may be enough to stop it.... or make it worse ;D ;D ;D
And make sure the drain holes in the door bottom are clear, cos if your getting water past the door card, means it has to go somewhere...
Cheers
Russell
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Yep, I guess time will tell Russell.
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Update time for those who are experiencing the same issue with water coming in at the top of your front doors when you are parked at an angle or turning a corner.
So the foul weather that we experienced at Brits at the Beach last weekend had an upside in that it allowed me to check how water tight the van now is. Hobbit was spot on with his suggestion of a rubber strip at the top of the door. After using a temporary soft sponge rubber I converted to a 10mm half round adhesive backed rubber a few weeks back and its definitely done the trick.
We were able to sit in a dry van watching the water gush down the outside of the door windows as we took each curve and not a drop entered the van all weekend.
All credit to Hobbit for this fix.
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I'm glad that solved the problem, Gordon. :) Cheers.