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Hi folks,
I purchased a used tailgate perimeter sealing rubber for my 940.
To be sure we are all on the sme page, here is the P/N: 6848647
Today, I removed the old one, and I noticed lots of sealant material, mostly while, but in some areas also black.
I am not sure this is butyl because of its white color, but I want to be sure I will be using the right seal.
I do have butyl at home, but again, I do not know if the material Volvo used, is something I can buy somewhere, so that I am sure to properly seal the new (used) rubber.
Thank you!
Alex
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well and stay so. Factory-original hatch sealing strips (gaskets) did not come with any sealant, butyl rubber or otherwise.
On my 940, the hatch sealing strip has no sealant of any sort. I've the maintenance records since new. There's nothing to show the sealing strip was replaced. Thus, if there had been a factory-supplied sealant, there's be some signs of it even if the gasket had been replaced. The same is true for the fixed-position windows on either side of the cargo space: no sign of any sealant.
I'd remove every trace of old sealants. I usually use methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) - a chemical cousin of acetone - to remove old sealants/adhesives.
MEK is highly flammable, so do the work out in the open (i.e., not within a garage or any other building). Wear nitrile gloves: MEK is carcinogenic and mutagenic.
To help seat the replacement gasket, lubricate it - and the metal channel into which it fits - with dish-washing liquid.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
>b> Spook
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Hi Spook,
Thank you for your feedback.
I am not sure what to tell you, yesterday I cleaned everything up, but I took a couple of pictures to show you the white stuff as well as the black in the upper curves of the hatch.
I own this 940 since day one, this is the first time I replace the rubber strip, so I suspect that sealant comes from Volvo.
Also, the replacement (used) strip I got, I can see the same white stuff (leftovers) in its channel too, which means there was some sort of sealant in that one too.
So I am puzzled.
If you do not have anything in yours, and you have no issues, I will just put it on as it is, and will see if I notice any water infiltration.
Please see my two images below:The black stuff was sticky as butyl rubber, really.
https://postimg.cc/BLM6Zc0V
https://postimg.cc/4K8km8YV
Thank you,
Alessandro
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well and stay so. Is your car a sedan or a wagon (estate)? I ask, because you use the term "strip", which suggests a straight length of rubber. On wagons, the rear hatch is sealed by a rectangular black rubber seal, with curved corners.
As I've never owned or worked on a sedan, I have not examined how the trunk (boot) opening is sealed. My comments relate only to wagons (estates).
It is possible that Volvo used sealants in addition to the rubber gasket, in some markets but not others.I've never had any problems with leaks around the hatch gasket (or elsewhere).
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Hi Spook,
It is a wagon, and I meant the rectangular black rubber seal.
I thought so too, but the strange thing here is that I purchased the used rubber in the US, and it shows the same traces of sealant I refer to.
Are you in the US?
Regardless, I will go ahead without sealant and see what happens.
Thank you,
Alessandro
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In general, I don't recall Volvo using much in the way of adhesives to hold the door or tailgate opening rubber gaskets in place, also the trunk seal. Having said that, with used rubber I would be tempted to tack them down in a few places just to make sure, like a small blob every 8" or so, especially at the corners. Just don't use a blob that would make a lump in the gasket. I have in the past used plumber's caulk behind the rubber to raise the gasket a bit after pulling a strip of newspaper to reveal less that a tight fit in that spot. A number of flexible adhesives would likely work well, including RTV, but not so much silicone-type sealants, rather something with a bit more tack, also rated for rubber. What I would probably do is start by installing them dry and as you go, if it seems like they could easily be pulled out, then go for the adhesives.
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Dear Dave Stevens,
Hope you're well and stay so! I just looked at the rear hatch seal on my 940. It is factory-original. No adhesive was needed/used.
The seal incorporates a strip of continuous flexible, resilient metal ("jaws") that is pressed onto the pinch-welded body metal around the hatch opening.
If the seal is removed carefully - pulled rearwards with little twisting, so that the "jaws" are not spread much - the seal can be reinstalled by pressing it into place. If the seal's "jaws" are spread too far to grip firmly, the "jaws" can be finger-compressed to restore the gap to the factory-width.
It is important to align the seal with the opening, so that the seal's curved upper corners match the metalwork's curves.
Hope this helps.
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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Hi All,
I just wanted to confirm that I was able to reinstall the rubber without any problem.
The door closes fine, so I guess I will have to wait for the rain, and see if there is any leak anywhere.
Thank you,
Alessandro
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Another simple way to test for areas that might leak is to do as for door alignment. Cut newspaper into a bunch of roughly 2.5" wide strips. Lay them across the seal (not overlapping), close the tailgate/door, then go around and tug on the tails of the newspaper strips to see how easily they come out. Work your way around the opening in sections. Potential leak areas will be where the strips easily slide out. You could try confirming how bad it is with water, either just shooting a jet of water or laying the paper strips sideways just inside the seal. If there's a whole section of the tailgate like that, you would want to try realigning the tailgate, playing with the catch and latch, side bumpers (I'm not sure how adjustable those are) and ultimately the hinges (removing the roof trim panel for access, which as I recall requires removing the side trim first). I've never needed to realign the tailgates in my 940 wagons.
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Dear Metallo,
Hope you're well and stay so! Good news, for which thanks!!
You might want to test the seal. Put paper towels along the cargo space floor, just inside of the hatch opening. Close the hatch. Then from a bucket pour a little water around the hatch;s edges, starting at the top middle and moving towards the sides. If the paper towels don't get wet, you likely have a good seal.
Hope everything stays dry!
Yours faithfully,
Spook
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