Covered headlamps - water tightness

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ralphr1780
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#1 Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by ralphr1780 » Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:53 am

Hi all, my S1 got its first shower yesterday. While I am quite familiar with numerous potential water leaks into the cabin, I was surprised to see the water flowing nicely inside covered headlamps. The drainage did however work well. Certainly, I should have tested the tightness before…
Two questions:
The bonnet chrome beads do sit few mm under the headlamp chrome surround, should these be shortened to just kiss it?
Should I take some additional sealing steps or just leave as is?
Looking forward to your advice.
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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Heuer
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#2 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Heuer » Mon Jul 30, 2018 12:01 pm

They all seem to do this and although you could try sealing it with Dum-Dum or similar they still usually leak. I take the covers off and clean them on the inside which I reckon is quicker than trying to seal them.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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cactusman
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#3 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by cactusman » Mon Jul 30, 2018 4:59 pm

Mine leak...and a spider has now spun a web in one....can you believe it!
Julian the E-type man
1962 FHC
1966 MGB....fab little car too

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ALAN COCHRANE
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#4 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by ALAN COCHRANE » Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:32 pm

I've tried dum dum but this only eased the leak a bit.
One point though-on my car the main point of entry is actually the seam in the wheelarch, this is where the bonnet beading sits. If you look unside the wheelarch you will see that where the seam meets the headlamp bowl panel there's a cutout to accommodate it. It's this combined with the water kicked up by the wheel the causes most of the leak. I sealed this up with dum dum putty and so far the leak has disappeared, although the current heatwave may have helped!

Cheers

Alan
Alan Cochrane

1961 S1 OTS,1968 Triumph TR250, 1971 Triumph GT6 Mk3, 2008 Porsche Boxster RS60 Spyder

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#5 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by ralphr1780 » Mon Jul 30, 2018 8:19 pm

Thanks for the clear replies...
Is the bonnet chrome supposed to go slightly under the chrome surround or just meet it? I have tried to find close up pics without success.
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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#6 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by chrisfell » Mon Jul 30, 2018 9:19 pm

Nothing on my E-Type is water tight.
Headlamps? No way.
Doors? No
Windscreen? No
Rear hatch? Nope.
Engine and radiator? No, there are constant battles with Cheney clamps, leaking radiator caps, and a suspected leaking radiator.
Not even the fuel filler cap is water tight, but once upon a time the drain hole under the flap, was. And the result? Water in the fuel tank, and about 1/2 mile later, water in the carbs.

Water leaks into the passenger cabin when it rains. I’ve no idea where it comes in, just where it ends up - on my lap and in my shoes. As most of the rubber, including around the headlamp covers, is over 50 years old, I shouldn’t complain.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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#7 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by baldyz1 » Tue Jul 31, 2018 9:44 am

I would also like to know an answer to the Authors main question.

Does the bonnet chrome pipe go under the eyebrow chrome or butt up. We have been fitting the surrounds and the bead kicks them up considerably.

One solution we contemplated was filing a semi circle in the surround to accept the bead.

Many thanks
Chris
Chris C
1966 4.2 2+2 Gun Metal

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#8 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Heuer » Tue Jul 31, 2018 11:14 am

Chrome originally was bevelled so it sat on top of the surround but was not lifted up.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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#9 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by ralphr1780 » Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:32 pm

Thanks David, by any chance would you have a picture to illustrate? :fingerscrossed:
My bonnet bead chromes do sit under the glass surround and are probably preventing the compression of the rubber seal.
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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#10 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Heuer » Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:57 pm

Suggest you contact Angus as he was pointing it out to me on his original S1 FHC. So much to see on that beautiful car I forgot to take a photo of the join.
David Jones
S1 OTS OSB; S1 FHC ODB
1997 Porsche 911 Guards Red

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Nawang61
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#11 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Nawang61 » Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:26 am

Image

Image
Llllllllll

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#12 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by baldyz1 » Fri Aug 03, 2018 7:08 pm

Did you slot the surrounds or cut the bead.

Looks spot on.

Chris
Chris C
1966 4.2 2+2 Gun Metal

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#13 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Nawang61 » Sat Aug 04, 2018 6:11 am

Angled the bead . Glad this helped
Llllllllll

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#14 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Durango2k » Sat Aug 04, 2018 7:36 am

You can put a Mini - E- Type in one of them, under the glass. Looks funny, people love it.

Some Citroen SM folks do, the glass vitrine is huge in comparison, so you can put a Corgi or Matchbox SM in there. In the centre, near to the number plate.

With an E, I think a smaller version would work...

Carsten
Jag E '66 S1 2+2, 74’Citroen DS 23 Pallas iE, 73’ Citroen SM 3.0, 75’ Concept Centaur MK1, 54’ Citroen 11 BL, 71‘ Velosolex, 88‘ Unimog U1650

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Jeremy
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#15 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Jeremy » Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:14 am

Nawang61 (what's your name?)
If you can keep that fantastically good fit when you have the glass and rubber in place, you certainly deserve a medal... :yellow:
Jeremy
1967 S1 4.2 FHC

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#16 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by ralphr1780 » Sat Aug 04, 2018 9:35 am

Excellent pictures thank you.
I have just attacked the first one and angled the upper bead, but for the lower bead it was easier to file the chrome surround. Huge difference now as the chrome surround sits flush all around pressing the rubber seal.
Now up to the other side, and then the water test :bouncyyellow:
Ralph
'69 OTS + '62 OTS - Belgium

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Allrand
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#17 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by Allrand » Wed Jul 14, 2021 1:06 pm

I know these post were long ago, but I've sealed the short section of wing joint (about 2") that extends beyond the diafragm, I think that's where most of the water gets in, I've yet to see if it leaks.
Randall Botha
'64 3.8 fhc & '51 Mk 7

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#18 Re: Covered headlamps - water tightness

Post by peters3103 » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:10 pm

Using a torch in my dark garage I shone the light, under the bonnet, at the back of both the headlamps. Looking from the front I could see the light shining through at the top. Clearly this is where I’m getting dirty water in from the front wheels slinging it up whilst driving on a wet road, resulting in unsightly dirty water stains on the sugar scoops. A judicious application of silicone, until no light shines through, will hopefully cure this. They are watertight from the front even when directly hosed off while washing the car.

Pete
Pete
61 E-Type FHC Opalescent Golden Sand
69 XJ6 4.2 MOD Old English White - one previous owner
16 XE R Sport 25t Polaris White - shopping trolley
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