Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

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Topcat Tomcat
Club Member
Posts: 946
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Worcestershire

Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by Topcat Tomcat »

Hi all. Has anyone experienced a water leak through the roof mounted aerial on a R3 Bubble?

The long running saga of putting my 218iS back together after bodywork repairs at the the excellent Pershore Bodyshop, has stalled again........a year and counting. 😭

I did smear some vaseline around the seal just to confirm it's where the water was entering, and it did reduce the amount.

The annoying thing is, I can't really finish off refitting the interior until it's sorted and it would be a real pain to have to remove the headlining yet again.

So the question is, has anyone experienced this problem and found a quick and simple remedy? Thanks.
Topcat Tomcat (aka Conductorwomble)

1990 216 GSi Auto 5 Door
1995 214 Si 3 Door - White Gold
1998 VVC Coupe - Tahiti Blue/Red Piccadilly & Leather
2001 1.8 Connie 45 4 Door - Wedgewood Blue
2004 75 CDTi Connie - Firefrost
itcaptainslow
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Posts: 1464
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:22 pm
Location: Letchworth

Re: Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by itcaptainslow »

I've not experienced it on an R3, but it was a common customer complaint on the Citroen C1 when I was at a Citroen dealership.

Ensuring the seal hadn't been flattened/crushed, plus renewing it together with a bead of sealant and ensuring the surrounding bodywork was clean & dry before fitting up usually did the job. Those cars leaked like sieves - the only real trouble they gave!
Topcat Tomcat
Club Member
Posts: 946
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by Topcat Tomcat »

Thanks. It's looks as though I'm going to have to try that without removing the headlining........hopefully!
Topcat Tomcat (aka Conductorwomble)

1990 216 GSi Auto 5 Door
1995 214 Si 3 Door - White Gold
1998 VVC Coupe - Tahiti Blue/Red Piccadilly & Leather
2001 1.8 Connie 45 4 Door - Wedgewood Blue
2004 75 CDTi Connie - Firefrost
Topcat Tomcat
Club Member
Posts: 946
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by Topcat Tomcat »

Screenshot_20260414_142512_WhatsApp.jpg
Screenshot_20260414_142538_WhatsApp.jpg

Why is it, that it's always a small job holding up progress, such as the last bolt to be removed, shearing off? 😭
Topcat Tomcat (aka Conductorwomble)

1990 216 GSi Auto 5 Door
1995 214 Si 3 Door - White Gold
1998 VVC Coupe - Tahiti Blue/Red Piccadilly & Leather
2001 1.8 Connie 45 4 Door - Wedgewood Blue
2004 75 CDTi Connie - Firefrost
961tat
Club Member
Posts: 1565
Joined: Fri Apr 29, 2016 6:19 pm
Location: Lancaster

Re: Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by 961tat »

I would say located by a nut on th stud and plastic pip in your picture to stop rotation.
Topcat Tomcat
Club Member
Posts: 946
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:36 am
Location: Worcestershire

Re: Rover 200 R3 Aerial Water Leak

Post by Topcat Tomcat »

Thanks Chris. I've come to the conclusion that the nut is loose. To get at it, I would have to remove the A/B/Post liners to gain access, and I can't face doing that.

I'm going to remove the vaseline and clean everything carefully, mask the area around it and apply Dynax S50 around, and hopefully under, it in several thin applications.

Being black, it should blend in. Even if it doesn't completely, it won't matter as it's not intended to be a Concours show car.

Thanks for the replies.
Topcat Tomcat (aka Conductorwomble)

1990 216 GSi Auto 5 Door
1995 214 Si 3 Door - White Gold
1998 VVC Coupe - Tahiti Blue/Red Piccadilly & Leather
2001 1.8 Connie 45 4 Door - Wedgewood Blue
2004 75 CDTi Connie - Firefrost
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