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Anyone else have this happen? Have had my Mini for just over two weeks and yesterday while dusting her off I saw a long crack along the front edge of the sunroof gasket. Nothing has fallen on the roof of the car or been caught on the gasket. As far as I can tell it was caused by misalignment of the sunroof or by it being an overly tight fit.
Will be taking her in for a redo of the clear bra on Tuesday so hopefully they can address it then. Am concerned about it being an on-going problem and damage occurring to the paint or the new tint while they try to fit it.
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|| 2008 MC | NFR/B ||
Last edited by MiniBella; 06-17-2008 at 01:00 PM.
Reason: Update
Man that sucks. Has your sunroof ever stuck in the heat like many are experiencing, I wonder if the two problems could be related.
No sticking that I have noticed. Seems to operate fine. Did check the thread on sticking sunroofs before posting this thread but didn't see any similarities.
Nope... It was not delivered that way. It's actually a tear. Which the photo doesn't show well. My best guess it that when the sunroof closes it pulls on the gasket which then caused the tear.
So it turns out that the squirrels in my neighborhood think my sunroof gasket is pretty tasty! Seriously who would have thunk that the damage was caused by hungry squirrels? Though if you take another look at the pic above you can actually see the bite marks.
Motorwerks being the sooper cool dealership that they are have graciously offered to cover the cost of replacement for me. HUGE guys!!
Now... does anyone have any ideas of how I can deter future munching of my MINI's sunroof gasket and other rubber? Am hesitant to put anything on it and don't want to hurt the squirrels... but do want to keep the hungry little buggers from snacking on my MINI.
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|| 2008 MC | NFR/B ||
Last edited by MiniBella; 06-17-2008 at 01:31 PM.
Reason: typo
That was kinda funny, I guess you can buy the outdoors cover, It would be protected from the sun, the rain and well the bad chipmunks, I got one on mine (haven't picked it up yet)..
Now... does anyone have any ideas of how I can deter future munching of my MINI's sunroof gasket and other rubber? Am hesitant to put anything on it and don't want to hurt the squirrels... but do want to keep the hungry little buggers from snacking on my MINI.
While fostering a MinPin last fall, I found myself having to use this product. The little guy chewed everything that he could get in his mouth, including action figures that were gifts to my son, so I bought a bottle of bitter apple. It saved our shoes, rolls of transparent tape, furniture, plastic toys and curtains. Get the one for small animals, that should do the trick for you.
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Plotting World Domination through MINI Motoring Love: Viola Cooper. 2008 PS/B MC. Follow me on twitter!
So it turns out that the squirrels in my neighborhood think my sunroof gasket is pretty tasty! Seriously who would have thunk that the damage was caused by hungry squirrels? Though if you take another look at the pic above you can actually see the bite marks.
Motorwerks being the sooper cool dealership that they are have graciously offered to cover the cost of replacement for me. HUGE guys!!
Now... does anyone have any ideas of how I can deter future munching of my MINI's sunroof gasket and other rubber? Am hesitant to put anything on it and don't want to hurt the squirrels... but do want to keep the hungry little buggers from snacking on my MINI.
I would put some kind of non-toxic protectant on it and see if that turns out not to be tasty for those little fur bearing creatures.
What I use is an excellent product that goes on all my leather, plastic and vinyl. About 10 years ago it was rare so I bought a gallon direct from the company. Now they appear to be selling it online along with other products. That's good news for me.
It is an alternative to Armor All [sp?] which in my opinion damages your car. I stopped using Armor All years ago, after auto detailers told me that it uses oil based ingredients to create the shine.
Anyway, here is the link for the stuff I use. I have tasted it by accident, and it's not bad, but the little guys may not like it. Let it soak into the rubber so it protects well, and more important, tastes foul to all fur bearing creatures.
By the way, The Discovery Channel [or some channel like that] did an expose on houses with squirrel problems.
Bottom line: They are super smart creatures and can circumvent just about any safeguards that a homeowner implements to deter the beasts from doing damage to a house or property.
I would look on the Net to find out WHY these "locusts in disguise" chewed the rubber.
Were they trying to get inside the car for a joyride?
Is a certain type of rubber attractive to them?
Is there something in the rubber that acts as a sort of emergency food?
Were they practicing good dental hygiene and massaging their gums?
You might want to call your local animal control [or even pest specialist] and ask why they did that. Any of those people will know why it happened as I am sure squirrel problems are common.
Bonus Comment: By the end of that show, aka expose, the little squirrels did not appear so cute. The one homeowner had tried everything. The buggers kept chewing his electrical wires and shorting out his home. They had taken over the homeowner's attic and they had fought a losing two year battle.
You better make sure you don't have a bigger problem. Take steps to make sure the little beasts know that there's no reason to hang out at your place. Let em go chew on someone else's sunroof.
Thanks Michael. Was thinking of calling animal control to see if they have any suggestions. Just want them to stop... hurting them is not an option and relocating them would be nearly impossible because I live on a tree lined street and across from a tree filled park. No problems with them getting in the house though they do like the garden... but they have to fight the rabbits for our plants. We have chipmunks too but not as many. Have been perfectly happy to share our neighborhood and even our plants with the little beasties until now.
They can have the plants... just leave the MINI alone!
I'm not surprised it's damage from squirrels. They're cute, but can be very destructive, and very persistent. I've used humane traps and relocation from time to time on some of the worst offenders, that's an option if the repellents don't work. My guess is that it's not all the squirrels, just one squirrel that has developed a bad habit. Of course, there's always the option of a .22 and a stew recipe, if all else fails. They eat your MINI, you eat them. Karma.
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'08 Lightning Blue / Silver Clubman, manual, silver bonnet stripes, 15" wheels with all-season tires, premium package, cold weather package, multi-function steering wheel, chrome line / fluid silver interior trim, leatherette sport seats, xenon lamps, front foglamps.
Bitter apple works pretty well, you'll just have to keep putting it on. I have a soft spot for fuzzy things, and it's worked well for me in the past to keep guinea pig and bunny from chewing things they shouldn't. Vinegar does, too, but that's probly not too good for your sunroof gasket.
You might even just throw and old towel over your roof when you park. As long as the roof isn't too grimy that won't do any more damage than squirrel toenails and teeth.
I picked up a Scat Mat to keep the neighborhood cat off my top. Will find out tonight if it works. When the offending critter steps on it they get a little shock that hopefully teaches them to stay away.
I have heard from others in the Cabrio forum that has used this for cats...might work for squirrels too.
Though if you take another look at the pic above you can actually see the bite marks.
