Defender vent seals installation

[jboot51]

I've got a pair of S3 vent rubbers (MUC4299) I'm going to install on my 95 defender.
These attach to the bulkhead not the vent flap.

What should I stick them on with ?

1. Contact adhesive- I use this to put the door seals back on
2. Silicone.
3. Windscreen mastic.

Your thoughts please

[MacFamily]

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. (http://aus.sika.com/en/solutions_products/02/02a024/02a024sa08/02a024sa08100/02a024sa08105.html)

I bought the smaller 150ml tube from Supercheap Sikaflex Auto 150ml Black - Supercheap Auto Australia (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Sikaflex-Auto-150ml-Black.aspx?pid=284175#Cross)

[jboot51]

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

Sikaflex probably would have been better.

[rick130]

Contact adhesive would've been my first choice.

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

[jboot51]

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.

[Jode]

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

[jboot51]

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.

[jboot51]

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.:censored:

[philco]

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.

[TeamFA]

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.

G'day Philco,

Can I ask where you bought the foam strip from? Sounds like something I might try and get done this weekend...

Cheers!

[Loubrey]

Bunnings...

I bought similar HD self adhesive foam (19mm x 9mm) to seal under my door after I fitted my rock and tree sliders.

If you don't feel like browsing the whole shop (or you've got SWMBO with you) tell the "usually confused" shop assistant its to seal doors and window round the house...

Cheers,

Lou

[MLD]

G'day Philco,

Can I ask where you bought the foam strip from? Sounds like something I might try and get done this weekend...

Cheers!

i did a similar thing with self adhesive from clark rubber. 15mm wide, 12mm thick. I stuck the rubber onto the flap (not bulkhead). The lip on the bulkhead sits in the rubber. To improve sealing I nicked the seal with a razor about 3mm deep so the lip on the bulkhead sits in the rubber rather than compressing it. The rubber now sits flush on the inside and outside of the lip. Creates a large contact patch between rubber and bulkhead.

No empirical evidence but i think it works better than when it was compressed and not flush.

As for the poster that hosed the vents. My defer still drips on my foot when it rains, so i assume it's coming from another source than the vents.

cheers MLD

[philco]

G'day Philco,

Can I ask where you bought the foam strip from? Sounds like something I might try and get done this weekend...

Cheers!

Yea sure. i went to Century Rubber at Ashmore, in the Anaconda/ Supercheap Auto complex on Nerang-Southport Rd.
I think it cost about $5 or $6 a metre. It was the firm compression approx same size as the factory type fitted. i think 19mm wide x 9mm thick.
I didn't cut the slit for the edge of the bulkhead to sit into.
No leaks so i'm Happy with dry feet.

[philco]

i did a similar thing with self adhesive from clark rubber. 15mm wide, 12mm thick. I stuck the rubber onto the flap (not bulkhead). The lip on the bulkhead sits in the rubber. To improve sealing I nicked the seal with a razor about 3mm deep so the lip on the bulkhead sits in the rubber rather than compressing it. The rubber now sits flush on the inside and outside of the lip. Creates a large contact patch between rubber and bulkhead.

No empirical evidence but i think it works better than when it was compressed and not flush.

As for the poster that hosed the vents. My defer still drips on my foot when it rains, so i assume it's coming from another source than the vents.

cheers MLD

The extra drip might be coming thru the windscreen rubber.
I got my windscreen replaced and got an aftermarket rubber for them to use. cut my cost down, they said it should be dry fitted but it leaked like a sieve so i went back and asked them to seal it with the proper sealant on the inside and outside.
Never had a leak through the rubber since.

[rick130]

I wondered why I was getting a flood in the passenger side over the last few months, the seal has collapsed and fallen off at the top of the vent :D

6* here tonight, I better get onto Karcraft and get some new seals happening next week or it could be a touch chilly.

[MacFamily]

Well Ive been testing mine with the high presure cleaner and no leaks yet, but time will tell how they stand up against the elements.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/04/519.jpg

[ThorneGator]

I just installed these rubber (older style) gaskets as well (with contact adhesive). However, I cant close the flap/ vents the entire way, just upto to second-to-last notch. I assume new rubber needs to bed-in, but has anyone else had this issue?

[landy]

It's funny that this thread resurfaced. I've just replaced my seals for the same reason.
I replaced them last weekend with the older style seals. I glued them in with contact adhesive and so far seems ok.
We had a bit of rain last week and the floors stayed dry. I haven't had a chance to test the door leaks while driving but suspect that they will due to the door seal around the door where it's shaped.
I have found it a little harder to close the vents due to the stiff seals but it seems to be getting easier.

[Didge]

Anyone got any pics of what they did - I also need to do mine :)

[ThorneGator]

Thanks,

Here are some photos of installation and issue.....
93071
Used contact adhesive as mentioned

The issue is when I try to close the flap, I can only close down to the second-to-last 'notch', but that leaves the pictured gap.
93073
Underneath the positioning looks good
93072
but on top there is a gap above the gasket, due to the wiper blade attachment points.
93074
moving the gasket up would seem to only increase the rubber material under the pinch-point, so thinking I have missed something obvious. Planning to fill the gap with black windscreen adhesive/ silkaflex for watertightness, but dont think that will fix my 'closing' issue.
Any help appreciate!!!

[Didge]

Thanks ThorneGator - from where did you purchase the seals? Typical installation problems - designers never think these issues through :)

[ThorneGator]

Thanks ThorneGator - from where did you purchase the seals? Typical installation problems - designers never think these issues through :)

Didge, I purchased them through my mechanic ( Graeme Cooper in St Peters). Since posting, I have reviewed more photos and realized that newer models have the notched area around the windscreen wiper that makes the seal sit a bit uneven. This is in comparison to older models that have a flush, or straight line, with no notch along the wind screen wiper arms. Unfortunately, this still doesn't answer why the flaps aren't seating appropriately.

Cheers