Door Seals

[littleminxx]

is it me or are the door seals on the c1 to small i have water inside the door rim and on the car n its quit abit if i took it to citroen would they fix it as its still under warrenty i dont want to look stupid has any 1 else had this problem and wehat did you do . :unsure: also i think the gap between the door n car is bigger than usual or is that me as well

[Guest big stuart]

is it me or are the door seals on the c1 to small i have water inside the door rim and on the car n its quit abit if i took it to citroen would they fix it as its still under warrenty i dont want to look stupid has any 1 else had this problem and wehat did you do . :unsure: also i think the gap between the door n car is bigger than usual or is that me as well

It's not just you, i had the same trouble on my c1, I took it back and they have promised to fix it with some new rubbers, However I am still waiting....... Luckely I used to work in a car body shop so I adjusted the door catches, making the doors shut a little tighter.

[downsman]

It's not just you, i had the same trouble on my c1, I took it back and they have promised to fix it with some new rubbers, However I am still waiting....... Luckely I used to work in a car body shop so I adjusted the door catches, making the doors shut a little tighter.

 

That's a good idea, and it would explain why some cars leak and others are fine with the same seals. Do you think the doors weren't adjusted correctly? Or in other words are the doors now in line with the other panels, or did you have to over close them a little?

[littleminxx]

That's a good idea, and it would explain why some cars leak and others are fine with the same seals. Do you think the doors weren't adjusted correctly? Or in other words are the doors now in line with the other panels, or did you have to over close them a little?

i took it to a citreon dealer n they did a water test n recon nothing is wrong im not happy with that result n want a second opinion so i think i will go for 1 if i could do it myself i would .

[littleminxx]

It's not just you, i had the same trouble on my c1, I took it back and they have promised to fix it with some new rubbers, However I am still waiting....... Luckely I used to work in a car body shop so I adjusted the door catches, making the doors shut a little tighter.

 

 

 

where do u live lol im not having much joy with citroen because nothing is getting into the car they said it was ok how can alot of water around the door seals n on the door be normal :unsure:

[ColinC1]

Not this again !!!!!!

A good car ruined by one really bad design flaw, the door seals.

 

POSITIVE OUTLOOK (08 plate onwards)

08 plate models have what looks like slightly thicker door seals to give a more firm pressure on the single seal that prevents water ingress. Maybe they have solved the problem ?

 

A previous answer on site was given that prior to 08 models the seals were bashed on in the factory production with a rubber hammer and caused them to be more compacted, hence not sealing as good, no matter how the the door was hinged or moved inwards.

 

Now the seals are supposed to be hand fit only. (I cannot prove this though)

 

NEGATIVE OUTLOOK (prior to 08 plate)

The thin single seal design is just rubbish !

 

There has been plenty of C1's handed in for a fix due to soaken carpets, as the water leaks in over the seal and drips in, especially on torrential downpours (mine included).

 

One good thing is that the carpets have no underfelt (due to being budget) so the car can dry out quicker.

 

Repairs (fixes) consist of moving door or lock bracket slightly, or moving seals slightly, or replacing seals. It is all rather hit or miss and many doors just leak again during a heavy downpour (like mine).

 

 

The only real working solution, (if you are fed up with failed Citroens fixes)

But your doors must be checked for alignment first.

 

I had given up with fixes after 6 months from new, as they said everything is aligned, yet it still driped on downpours. I just could not trust the seals.

 

For the last year and a half I have coated my seals with a smear along the seals every 4 months with silicone grease, which guarentees no rain drips or ingress, and bone dry carpets.

 

You only have to smear the grease with your finger along the top part of seal (the sealing front face part that hits the metal) and about a foot down the sides (again the sealing front face that hits the metal).

 

I use a tube of RS components silicone grease (see website, part number 494-124) or you can buy this grease in any plumbers merchant shop.

 

Never use vasaline as that rots rubber seals.

 

PS... CHECK YOUR ENGINE BAY after a downpour for leaks ..... I also coat the engine bay rubber seal that seals against the bonnet, with the grease, as this stops rain water dripping onto the engine, and its electrics.

[Guest big stuart]

where do u live lol im not having much joy with citroen because nothing is getting into the car they said it was ok how can alot of water around the door seals n on the door be normal ;)

I live in bournemouth my local dealer is Penton Citroen, as Colin has said on the forum this is not a new problem and is not so bad on newer cars...........mine is an 58 plate and still it had the same trouble.

Like I said i just pulled the door in a little on the catch making it close just a little tighter, not too much and some silcon spray on the rubbers helps to disperse any water making a much better seal.

Any bodyshop should be able to do it for you, if you try catch one of the chaps from the workhop rather than booking it in they will probably do it for a (christmas) drink £5-10 depending how they feel.

[ColinC1]

For those unfortunates that are trying to dry out their car atmosphere (once your leak is fixed) here is one solution.

 

I always use a rechargable mini-dehumidifier approx 200x150x30mm high. This is a plastic box with cyristals that absorb moisture, and when it is full to mosture capacity the cyristals change colour from blue to pink, then you take it out the car, and plug it into a 240V mains socket and the built-in heater removes the moisture, so you can use it over and over again.

 

I would use the heater mode in the garage or shed with mains socket, as you do not want to transfer the moisture into your house.

 

You can buy these all over the place including Ebay. Cost around £15 to £20.

 

the one I have is a 'desivent' rechargable mini dehumidifier, and it can be left fixed under the seat of the car.

[downsman]

Thanks for the great advice :)

 

I'm making notes of all these tips for when my seals get a bit cranky and start leaking :angry: