Post by Nick RS on Nov 30, 2014 16:30:50 GMT
One of the vehicles in the RS fleet is a Ford S-Max which has been used for the last three years as a carry all for family and stuff. It replaced..... another S-Max, so I suppose it's fair to say that we like them. A couple of months back we had one of those little chips at the edge of the windscreen that spread across the whole screen during the day while it was parked. Usual process in the UK for most owners is to get it replaced through the insurance company who charge £75 without it affecting the insurance record. It's a good plan to have as screens these days are getting ever bigger, more complicated and more expensive. When replacing this one Mrs RS had to make sure she said that we needed a tinted one with a particular shadeband, heated, rain sensing wiper compatible as well as traffic sign recognition. Britain's best known glass repairer came out and fitted the new screen. So far so good.
As the Indian summer turned finally to autumn I began to notice a bit more steaming up than usual but didn't really make the connection. A few more weeks and the slight 'canalside' smell in the car was put down to two small boys, their impedimenta and general muckiness. Then the penny finally dropped. The steaming up and the smell were getting worse, the only thing to have happened to the car was the change of screen so I assumed that it must be letting in a little water. Mrs RS called the glass company again (her car, see) and out they came. By this time the carpets in the driver's footwell were very wet such that you could make little splashes with the water. A new screen fitted and all ought to be well. However I am not so sure.
I've been driving with the heater full on, on to my feet in an effort to dry it out. Bit by bit things have been getting better but I still had a nagging doubt. This morning I was planning to go to the LOCI AGM and see what the organisation of the club was all about. Just before I set off I checked the car and noticed the carpet was a little bit damp still, depsite the best efforts of the heater and a hairdryer. I noticed a couple of trim studs under the centre console trim and couldn't resist pulling them off and getting a hand round and underneath the carpet. Oh dear! Absolutely sodden. Ripped everything up and literally rung out the sound deadening underlay and saw water pouring into the footwell. To be honest I'm a bit grumpy about this. One, I should have seen the warning signs earlier. Two I now have a smelly Ford that is going to take a long time to dry out.
Carpet folded back in foreground. Hairdryer blowing under the insulation material
I have now confirmed that Mrs RS's hairdryer has a thermal cut-out. I think she secretly hopes I ruin it so that she can get another one. I am having to be careful with this as I can't risk melting any of the spaghetti of wiring that runs through this area of the car. Probably needs another day or to of carful drying before it goes back together. I may yet end up having to replace the backing material though the carpet itself will be OK.
Couldn't go to the AGM either.
I am not into the the compensation culture that seems to be endemic here but I am tempted to ask the glass company to contribute to this.
Good, glad I've told someone now.
The lesson for me for the Landcrab (or any other car) is never let a little leak go uninvestigated as water will get just about everywhere.
Nick
As the Indian summer turned finally to autumn I began to notice a bit more steaming up than usual but didn't really make the connection. A few more weeks and the slight 'canalside' smell in the car was put down to two small boys, their impedimenta and general muckiness. Then the penny finally dropped. The steaming up and the smell were getting worse, the only thing to have happened to the car was the change of screen so I assumed that it must be letting in a little water. Mrs RS called the glass company again (her car, see) and out they came. By this time the carpets in the driver's footwell were very wet such that you could make little splashes with the water. A new screen fitted and all ought to be well. However I am not so sure.
I've been driving with the heater full on, on to my feet in an effort to dry it out. Bit by bit things have been getting better but I still had a nagging doubt. This morning I was planning to go to the LOCI AGM and see what the organisation of the club was all about. Just before I set off I checked the car and noticed the carpet was a little bit damp still, depsite the best efforts of the heater and a hairdryer. I noticed a couple of trim studs under the centre console trim and couldn't resist pulling them off and getting a hand round and underneath the carpet. Oh dear! Absolutely sodden. Ripped everything up and literally rung out the sound deadening underlay and saw water pouring into the footwell. To be honest I'm a bit grumpy about this. One, I should have seen the warning signs earlier. Two I now have a smelly Ford that is going to take a long time to dry out.
Carpet folded back in foreground. Hairdryer blowing under the insulation material
I have now confirmed that Mrs RS's hairdryer has a thermal cut-out. I think she secretly hopes I ruin it so that she can get another one. I am having to be careful with this as I can't risk melting any of the spaghetti of wiring that runs through this area of the car. Probably needs another day or to of carful drying before it goes back together. I may yet end up having to replace the backing material though the carpet itself will be OK.
Couldn't go to the AGM either.
I am not into the the compensation culture that seems to be endemic here but I am tempted to ask the glass company to contribute to this.
Good, glad I've told someone now.
The lesson for me for the Landcrab (or any other car) is never let a little leak go uninvestigated as water will get just about everywhere.
Nick
