Door carriers - seal or replace

[SkodaGirl2008]

Hi - recently purchased 03 Fabia 1.4 100bhp and the back doors leak. I know there are lots of threads relating to leaking rear doors, but there seem to be different views on whether this can be reliably fixed.

My local Skoda dealer says it will cost £50 per door to seal the bottom or £80 if they have to change the plate. However, they say that they make no guarantee to fix the problem. I just wonder if sealing the doors DOES solve the problem.

Many thanks and I apologise for raising an old subject.

[Mike B]

Get them sealed, If you were to replace them you would only be buying some time until they start to leak again,

And as the leak is down to an accumulation of water in the doors. Open the rear doors every few days and let the water drain. I've had my car 14 months and not a leak (so far), But i use the back doors almost daily

[Clive618]

I agree that sealing the carriers is the best approach. Provided it is done thoroughly with a good quality sealant that bonds to the metal it is completely effective. I disagree that the problem is due to accumulation of water though. The water runs down the inside of the doors and, because the seal is inadequate, runs straight through inside the door before it even reaches the bottom. The 'flood' of water that is released when you open a leaky door is what is trapped between the interior trim and door seal. Since sealing the doors, this has never happened to me again, even after the most torrential downpour or thorough washing. Sometimes weeks can go by without me using my rear doors and no problems have recurred.

[SkodaGirl2008]

Thank you very much indeed for the advice - I will go ahead and get them sealed.

[jasc1988]

Do it yourself for free

[Ricko]

Agreee with Clive - did mine with standard (silicone) clear bathroom sealant. Worked a treat and no water ingress at all since

See Stu's howto Fabia-vrs.com - Re-sealing Fabia Rear Ancillaries Carriers

[horkin]

Hi, £50 a door sounds a lot. Was quoted this week £58 both doors by my local Skoda Specialist That was to strip, seal and refit. He says then "problem solved"

[highridgepark]

do it yourself I used sikoflex which is a sealant that keeps flexible so it moves without cracking in expansion and contraction of metal

[highridgepark]

do it yourself , I used sikoflex which is a sealant that keeps flexible so it wont crack when the door metals expand and contract

[SkodaGirl2008]

Thank you very much indeed for all the advice - it sounds like the sealant solves the problem. I will have to get the Skoda garage to do this as I would be frightened about breaking the door trim - not a job for a girl:)