Thread: Defender vent seals installation

Funny you mention this, I installed the same one's just yesterday on defender. I used the Sikaflex automotive adhesive, the black stuff Automotive | Sika Australia Pty. Ltd.

I bought the smaller 150ml tube from Supercheap Sikaflex Auto 150ml Black - Supercheap Auto Australia

Just finished putting them on.
Used selleys windscreen sealant-rtv silicone.

Sikaflex probably would have been better.

Contact adhesive would've been my first choice.

DO you reckon these will seal better than the later model ones on the vents ?

They look like they will seal up well.
Rather tight to close the vents 'til they bed in.
Apparently they can cause rust problems, if you get crap in behind the seal, I guess they would.

I used contact adhesive - worked fine, them been on for about 4 years (and around 50k) now, no worries.

It's cured overnight.
There is 1 corner that is not quite right.
My method probably needs improving.
I ran 2 beads of windscreen silicone around the vent opening.
Fitted the rubber, which needed a slight stretch length wise, then the vent flap.
Closed the vent tight and let it cure.


If I was to do it again I would,
Put sikaflex in the groove at the back of the rubber and attach to bulkhead.
Hold in place with masking tape and let it cure.
Then seal the rubber to the bulkhead with the windscreen silicone.

It rained a little last night.
Checked floors-No Water.

Washed car in a normal manor.
Still no water.

Stood at front of car and used the garden hose to shoot a jet of water directly at the vent seals. Did five laps around the seal.

Drivers side no water on floor.

Passengers side.
Slight leak.
My bad, vent still had 1 notch to go for fully closed.

I bought a metre of new foam strip self adhesive then removed the vent from my drivers side and cleaned off the old foam and stuck on the new foam, it took a while to clean off but got it done with some meths.
The new foam was 19x 9mm and where it met at the corners i used contact to join it.
The self adhesive was really good, stuck on well.
It works great no more water on the drivers side dripping down thru the fuses.