Ford Fiesta (2011 year). Manual — part 105

• Replace damaged or aged seals. Prevent kinks.

• The contact pressure can be changed by

adjusting the catch bolt or correcting the panel
flange.

• Even out the uneven welded flange thicknesses.

Properly repair any paint damage that occurs.
If the bodywork flanges are very uneven,
appropriate alignment work must be performed.
Pay particular attention here to the new
corrosion protection which needs to be applied
afterwards.

• If water entry is caused by a spot weld (burr on

the surface), this must be rectified and
appropriate corrosion protection applied.

Tailgate sealing rubber

Leaks at the tailgate rubber seal have the same
causes and remedial measures as for door rubber
seals. Especially vulnerable areas -arrows- must
be thoroughly checked.

Rubber grommets / plugs

Rubber grommets or plugs are fitted at numerous
points on the body. They are frequently used as
seals for cables, hoses or actuating links. Rubber
plugs are frequently used for gaps caused during
production.

Example: Possible problem locations in the
tailgate area

Description

Des

cript

ion

Hinge seal

1

Cable duct

2

Leaks can be caused by badly fitted or damaged
rubber grommets and plugs.

Damaged cable insulation can also cause leaks.

Where components are bolted on, water can enter
if there are inadequate seals at the connection
point.

To resolve

• Correctly fit rubber grommets / plugs. During

fitting, ensure that the sealing lips are not
trapped and are applied properly.

• The contact area of the rubber grommets / plugs

can also be sealed with PU sealing compound.

• Replace the damaged rubber grommets and

repair the damaged cable insulation.

• Smooth the panel deformations in the contact

area of the plugs.

Heater housing/ventilation

Loose butyl sealing strips, damaged sealing
surfaces or a trapped carpet can cause leaks
around the heater housing / ventilation Arrow.
Badly positioned or badly fitted hoses can also be
responsible for water entry. Water drains must not
be blocked

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NOTE: A large quantity of water flows through the
water tank. If there are leaks in this area, it is
essential to ensure that the water drainage
mechanisms function correctly. Drainage openings
may not be blocked or stuck. Leaves and other dirt
must be removed before troubleshooting.

Corrective action

Before the actual repair, make sure that the water
drains are not blocked or stuck.

Remove the heater housing / ventilation and fit a
new Butyl sealing strip. Damaged sealing surfaces
must first be adjusted. A trapped carpet must be
removed.

Seal welds

PU sealing beads are applied to welded or riveted
connections Arrows to seal the interior of the
vehicle. Incorrectly applied or damaged seal welds
can allow moisture to penetrate into the interior of
the vehicle. It is also possible that sealing beads
whose shape and size appear to be intact actually
have poor adhesion.

Corrective action

Incomplete seal welds must be supplemented with
PU sealing compound. Damaged seal welds must

be removed and re-applied properly. Make sure
that any residual moisture is effectively removed
before a new seal is applied.

Attached parts

The add-on parts include:

• Exterior mirros, handles, controls.

• Mouldings, roof mouldings, lettering.

• Roof aerial, roof rack or connections for roof

rack systems.

• Bumper mountings.

• Injection nozzles, door contact switches, bump

stop rubber.

• Control unit seals.

• Tail lamps.

• All kind of screwed connections (pedal block,

door and tailgate hinges)

Example: Possible water entry points at the
rear lamp

Description

Des

cript

ion

Clips

1

Gaskets.

2

Rubber grommet

3

Add-on body parts must be fitted with seals,
grommets or sealing compound to prevent water
entry. However, even when a sealing system is
fitted, the screw thread may still cause leaks.

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Corrective action

Seals must be tested and, if necessary, replaced.
Check contact surface and adjust if necessary.
Points sealed with sealing compound must be
thoroughly cleaned and the seal replaced. Check
grommets and replace if necessary. At all screwed
connections, seal the thread with an appropriate
sealing material.

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Wind Noise

Wind noises as well as other general noises are
dealt with under Noise, Vibration and Harshness
(NVH).

NOTE: Basic and in-depth training is offered on
the following topics. You will find an overview of
the complete range of courses in the Training
Brochure issued by the Ford Service Organization.

Due to the continuous reduction in drivetrain
noises, wind noises have come to the fore in the
vehicle and are perceived to a greater extent by
the customer.

There are various causes of wind noises. They can
be due to the design of the vehicle, or they can
occur after a repair. They are mostly caused by
poorly mounted components, which must be
located and installed in the correct position.

General information

In order to carry out targeted diagnosis, it is
important to know the basics of noise formation
and sound transmission.

Potential areas of wind noises

Description

Item

Wiper arms

1

Windscreen seal

2

Antenna/antenna base

3

Sun roof/roof rail

4

Tailgate

5

Door handles

6

Exterior Rear View Mirror

7

Description

Item

Door seals

8

Headlamps

9

Radiator grille.

10

Noises are categorized according to their type and
formation as follows:

"Normal" air flow noises:

Normal air flow noises are caused by air blowing
against even, flat vehicle surfaces, such as the

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