Boxer van side trim water ingress

[Chefslot]

The side and rear plastic trim connectors appear to be designed better than the German vans, in that they have little rubber washer/gaskets around them.

I'm building a van conversion and on the German makes these always get silicone sealed in to stop water ingress as it runs down and in behind the trim panels.

Has anyone ever had an issue with this on a boxer or equivalent, or do the rubber gaskets do a good job.

Kind regards

[quintet]

Some years ago i recall the Citroen Relay having a water ingress issue apparently caused by aftermarket roof racks being fitted rather than genuine ones, it caused the panels body panels to leak at the rear upper corners of the van, there is a kit to strengthen & help seal them, It was available from the parts department but I don't think it was commonly known as it's basically a PSA modification kit & i think the info came via a technical bulletin & thus not available to the general public. This also relates to the early Relay vans not so long after it replaced the C25 and may not be relevant to the later models.

[Expertamateur]

On a related note, I had to take my Peugeot Expert van to the scrappers last year due to terminal rust. The rails that carry the sliding doors were not sealed in any way and rainwater had been running down the side of the van until it meets the rail, goes behind the rails, and then through the mounting holes to the inside, then runs down and collects in the area between the inner wheel housing and the body skin, also collects below the tail light and door hinge area where it percolates quietly unseen until it weakens the whole structure. A dollop of silicone sealer under the side door rails would have prevent the early demise of what was a good van in other respects.

[Chefslot]

Some years ago i recall the Citroen Relay having a water ingress issue apparently caused by aftermarket roof racks being fitted rather than genuine ones, it caused the panels body panels to leak at the rear upper corners of the van, there is a kit to strengthen & help seal them, It was available from the parts department but I don't think it was commonly known as it's basically a PSA modification kit & i think the info came via a technical bulletin & thus not available to the general public. This also relates to the early Relay vans not so long after it replaced the C25 and may not be relevant to the later models.

From further research, the gasket is more of a sound vibration absorber than a sealant. So, I will seal these up. Thank you. Good to know about the roof racks.

[Chefslot]

On a related note, I had to take my Peugeot Expert van to the scrappers last year due to terminal rust. The rails that carry the sliding doors were not sealed in any way and rainwater had been running down the side of the van until it meets the rail, goes behind the rails, and then through the mounting holes to the inside, then runs down and collects in the area between the inner wheel housing and the body skin, also collects below the tail light and door hinge area where it percolates quietly unseen until it weakens the whole structure. A dollop of silicone sealer under the side door rails would have prevent the early demise of what was a good van in other respects.

Sorry to hear that. I looked down mine earlier, and they have some surface rust on, so the next job will be rust removal and painting them as best as I can. Thank you.