[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Thanks Shashi.
Any inputs on leak-proofing the Gypsy hardtop?
Thats one thing I must do before the monsoons begin!
My Gypsy leaks every time it undergoes a car wash and the front footwells are sodden with water...
Im wondering if it is the main windshield frame OR the drainage grille between the bonnet and windshield OR whether it is the door and window beadings...

In the HT version, there are atleast 20 weatherstrips like one between windshield frame and body. So you should consider changing the faulty ones.

Regards,
Shashi

[suzuki san]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Thanks Shashi.
Any inputs on leak-proofing the Gypsy hardtop?
Thats one thing I must do before the monsoons begin!
My Gypsy leaks every time it undergoes a car wash and the front footwells are sodden with water...
Im wondering if it is the main windshield frame OR the drainage grille between the bonnet and windshield OR whether it is the door and window beadings...

Hi Shankar,

Best of luck with this!!
I have had two Gypsies in the past and was never able to solve this issue.
It was really frustrating in the monsoons.
Wife as always complaining!!
Tried changing weather strips, silicon sealant, duct tape, M-Seal etc. etc. No luck.
Even MASS were not able to solve the problem.
I even closed off the drainage grille permanently with a metal plate which was then painted to match the body but still.....leakage!!
If you do find the problem please post it as I am sure there are a lot of Gypsy owners out there facing the same problem.

Regards,
SS

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

the drainage grille between the bonnet and windshield

Duct tape to the rescue.
In our Gypsy, the duct tape was a permanent fixture.

Regards
Sutripta

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Duct tape to the rescue.
In our Gypsy, the duct tape was a permanent fixture.

Regards
Sutripta

This works, I had same issue in Spidey, tried with a long warn sticker and it stopped leaking. Finally put a checkered plate with some sealant underneath. This stopped the leak while it rains. What I could not fix was the gaps at the door frame since it was kinda distorted with all the years usage and the custom hard top build. But that was not an issue while raining, only during pressure wash water would come in if water was sprayed around the door.

[shankar.balan]

The funny thing is that I never really minded this in my old soft top gypsy - perhaps because I was in Madras.
The second hard top 970cc gypsy had air con and I think that must have had something to do with the fact that it never leaked at all.
This third gypsy hardtop has clearly seen better days and leaks nicely during water wash and will do so during rain. I shall try the putty/ m seal and sticker method for the gap between the windscreen and body frame. Shall also try the sticker method first over the bonnet vents.
Then we'll see what happens...
Will keep the forum posted.

[Sutripta]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

The second hard top 970cc gypsy had air con and I think that must have had something to do with the fact that it never leaked at all.

Mine had a factory fitted AC. Leaked buckets from the ventilation slots. No match for an Indian monsoon!

Regards
Sutripta

[Vikram Arya]

I have done some digging on the net on this topic and here’s what I have found.

The vent in the cowl ostensibly has a drain that goes out through the firewall. The cabin gets fresh air from the same cowl vent. When the drain in the bottom of the cowl vent gets clogged up with leaves, dirt etc. then the water has no place to go when it rains. It drains back into the cabin through the firewall. If you look in the vent/cowl behind the hood there’s a drain hole on each side inside the vent.

As I have been made aware of this problem, I have been looking for possible solution & I have come across one that is very appealing. It is retailing at US$39 by “Low range offroad” online retailer in US.

*Image courtesy - "Lowrangeoffroad" website

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Sutripta

Mine had a factory fitted AC. Leaked buckets from the ventilation slots. No match for an Indian monsoon!

Regards
Sutripta

Mine was a retro fitted Sanden AC. Nicely done job but the poor 970 cc engine just used to suffer when the AC was on. No leaks though.

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

I have done some digging on the net on this topic and here’s what I have found.

solution & I have come across one that is very appealing. It is retailing at US$39 by “Low range offroad” online retailer in US.

*Image courtesy - "Lowrangeoffroad" website

This is a nice solution. Though it might end up only as a "partial solution to the problem", I will look for something of the kind.

Another thing, the OEM Old Type Windscreen wipers on the Gypsy are merely there for namesake. Completely useless.
Wonder whether the Type 2 wipers which came on the Gypsy post 2002 are any better than the ones that were there 2002 and prior.
I shall have to change the wiper linkages first though, in order to accommodate these Type 2 wipers and their blades.

[sharybold]

The type 2 wiper blades are better than the old ones. I fitted them to my 97 carb gypsy king.

Guys, any inputs on where can i get my soft top modified in Bangalore for it to be in level with the cabin top? I dont like that raised up top..well this needs the frame pipes to be cut and shortened.

[chargerman]

Just bought 3 gypsy Kings from an auction... Need lots of new stuff for them from Kolkata as I'm in Dhaka.. anyone knows where to buy from in WB?

[chargerman]

Just bought 3 gypsy Kings from an auction... Need lots of new stuff for them from Kolkata as I'm in Dhaka.. anyone knows where to buy from in WB?
Need bumpers. Lights. Suspension bushes. Glasses and rubbers engine items etc

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

I have done some digging on the net on this topic and here’s what I have found.
=======
As I have been made aware of this problem, I have been looking for possible solution & I have come across one that is very appealing. It is retailing at US$39 by “Low range offroad” online retailer in US.

*Image courtesy - "Lowrangeoffroad" website

Vikram
I found this on ebay UK at 20 Pounds.
I think it is the same thing.

Is it?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Vikram Arya

I have done some digging on the net on this topic and here’s what I have found.

Wont be of much use, its not the drain issue alone, the opening is badly designed that water will trickle in no matter what. Best is to seal that off at the earliest. Even a simple sticker would help and have seen it work.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Wont be of much use, its not the drain issue alone, the opening is badly designed that water will trickle in no matter what. Best is to seal that off at the earliest. Even a simple sticker would help and have seen it work.

What sort of sticker Jaggu?
Like one of those higher quality vinyl type faux carbon fibre designs?

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

What sort of sticker Jaggu?
Like one of those higher quality vinyl type faux carbon fibre designs?

We used to use wide duct tape on our rally Gypsies to seal off the vents. This was essential as driving through puddles would cause the muddy water to splash on to the windscreen as well as the cabin.