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MG MGB Technical - Wet feet

I have a slight problem in my 67 roadster - if it rains significantly and water is allowed to settle on the car in a reasonable quantity it seems to sit, hidden somewhere until you next drive the car. Then, when cornering, a small amount of water drips onto my left foot and will continue to do so until all the water is gone from wherever it has sat. The result? A wet foot and trouser leg where a puddle eventually collects on the floor! Somebody said they had the same problem with their B - anybody else? And does anyone have any explanations of where it sits and how to cure it?
Thanks
Martin

two places one in the vent in front of the windshield, second place under the hood beneath the clutch/brake master cylinders, their should be a few opens which should be plugged up.
CJD Dark

Mine does that - it my case it's rust under the windscreen surround on the skuttle panel. Water seeps through and drips from under the dash, sometimes running down towards the pedals. Nice(!)

Tim.
Tim Jenner

The fresh air vent has a drain hole that comes out of a rubber tube under the car. This can get blocked by leaves/rubbish, and eventually rust! This will then hold water which can spill out of the fresh air vent at your feet. The tube can be found under the car and is sometimes known as Tom's Knob, due to its design! Mine was blocked solid and had symptoms as described. Once clear fit a mesh on the fresh air vent to prevent leaves etc getting in again.

Of course it can always be something different!

HTH
Iain
I D Cameron

Thanks guys - as the car lives under a cover normally it's not too much of a problem. It was worse however when the snow from the fall last week melted on the way home and worked its way onto my feet - coupled with the fact that the switch for the heater fan packed up as well meant that I had very cold, very wet feet - serves me right for taking the B out on the worst winters day we have had so far this year!
Martin

Iain makes a good point - I cleared out the rubber drain tube on mine a while ago. It hangs down the right(?) hand side of the gearbox, you can just see it from the engine bay. Get under the car, poke a wire coat hanger up the tube to clear it (being careful not to damage the tube) and watch in joy as years of horrible wet scum pours down your sleeve. The grilles over the fresh air vent are recommended too - look better than the normal hole and are dead easy to fit.

Tim
Tim Jenner

Martin

i had a similar problem last year and traced it to the sealing of the wing to the inner wing under the bonnet.
I found it by having the car pointing slightly up hill and pouring water from a jug around the wing joint especially where the wing bolts are. In my case the water was running under this seam edge and around the bolts along underneath and into the cab dripping(pouring) on my feet and the floor!
Having dried it and sealed the overlapped seams and around the wing mounting bolts with selaflex problem went away.
I don't know when these cars were originally built or restored if they are fitted with a seal between these two panels but if not they should.
G Roberts

Poke a length of 1/4" dowel down Tom's Knob from above and avoid the scum up your sleeve and in your face. Once any standing water has drained away keep rodding while pouring in clean water slowly until it comes clear.
Paul Hunt

There should also be a clip on rubber surround around the top half of the engine compartment to stop water getting on top of the foot wells, and particularly into that small dead space where the acceration cable goes(just above your foot). Many take this surround off so that hot air is released from the engine compartment. of course cold water can now get in and with supernatural precision dribble onto you. I found even if I moved my feet around and the drip would follow.
PS. I also cut Toms knob off.
Peter

Paul - how do I access Tom's Knob from above? I thought you could only really get to it from under the car?

Peter - is the seal you are referring to placed around the rear end (hinge end) of the bonnet surround - ie where the scuttle in front of the windscreen meets the engine bay? If so, then mine does not have a seal at the moment which may explain a few things!
Martin

As you know the inside edge of the engine compartment has an upturned metal edge. The rubber slips onto that edge. A little like the rubber that runs around the edge of the doors and the boot.
It runs across the back behind the hinges.
then about half way toward the radiator down both sides.
Any MG place will sell you a length (where I got mine), or I suspect any auto parts shop as you see this stuff on many makes and modles.
Peter

This thread was discussed between 03/02/2004 and 05/02/2004

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