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MG MGB Technical - Leaking boot

I've been chasing this leak for months thinking it was a seal or luggage rack fittings.
Today was a nice sunny day, so I got a hose and started testing every possible location for a leak. I seem to have a few, but the major one is around the boot lock button/lift lever.
Is there a seal inside the mechanism? I haven't taken it off yet to examine what's in there. If there is no seal, what keeps it from leaking?
The car is a 1978 mgb roadster.
Cleve Crews

No, there's no seal, just a thin paper gasket under the "handle". When I fit such things I normally use a smear of windscreen sealing compound to make it water tight. Any excess that is forced out is easily removed with white spirit or turps.

Other common places for water leaks into the boot are around the light fittings and around the fuel filler.
Mike Howlett

There should be a gasket between the lever/handle and the boot lid.
See item 14 on http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mg/mgb-c-v8/body-chassis/boot-lid-fittings/boot-lid-tailgate-seals-badges-fittings.html
It's made of paper/fibre.
I bought one from Moss, but compared to the genuine BL part it is slightly oversize and about half the thickness (0.45mm instead of 0.9mm). I bought some 1.0mm neoprene sheet and made one. I also made similar gaskets for the door handles. Door handles fitted without gaskets could damage the paint when tightened up.
Brian Shaw

Got it off. There is some deteriated seal around the chrome. Should that be there, or is that from a PO ?


Cleve Crews

Don't know why my pics come out sides at time. Was not that way on camera.
The o-ring inside is in many pieces as well.


Cleve Crews

I made a gasket and found a O-ring for the inside. I'll mount it in the morning and check for leaks.


Cleve Crews

They can leak around the boot (trunk) lid badge as well.
G Britnell

Also the fuel filler neck seal.
Allan Reeling

I just now noticed it's leaking around the badge. I need to work on this ASAP.
Cleve Crews

Blobs of clear silicone sealant.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 06/03/2015 and 11/03/2015

MG MGB Technical index

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