Wondering if anyone has seen this problem before.

1st, this is a 4th gen Camaro ('02 SS).

I keep getting water in from the rear left quarter of the top. I noticed a lot of water a couple of weeks ago in the trunk, but I was not sure the actual cause. We had a torrential down-pour and I went thru a large area of standing water fairly quickly. Later, after the top appeared to be dry, I put the top down (possibly draining some trapped water into the trunk?). All of this was obviously before I noticed the water in the trunk, so I was unsure what actually caused the water. Since then, I've been caught in the rain again and today I washed the car and found more water in the same area. Not as much as the first time, but wet again.

I noticed most of it seemed to be at the top of the "hump" between the back seat and the trunk on the left side. I pulled the rear plastic valence panel (separating the trunk and the passenger compartment) out and found the water on the far left side, under the carpet (the carpet and pad being soaked).

The top seems tight all the way around and the drain on the left side appears to be clear and draining. I admit I really don't know much about how the top is put together. I actually have a little time left on the factory warantee, but the clowns locally don't inspire confidence to say the least. The car has very low miles (about 5600 now) and I really don't know how long it has had this issue since I didn't drive in the rain until recently (prompting me to notice it). This may have been a problem for a while; the car has always seemed to smell a little "damp" but I figured it was normal for a rag-top with the water probably coming from washing it and not noticing until now.

Any suggestions?

Allen

 

From the inside there is a catch rail that any water coming into your car should fall in and drain out of the car leaving no water to gather into your car. Get inside the car and find this rail, check and make sure there are no holes in it, its not rusted, or there isnt something stuck in it obstructing the drainage path. Report back your findings!

 

On mine it drips in at the bottom of the back window
Its getting worse and worse I need to change out the window panel.

 

If you are saying it leaks between the glass and the fabric then you need to change the window..you could do that yourself in about 3 or 4 hours. If it leaks near your trunk lid then refer to my first post.

 

I thought the whole top needed to come out to change the window ?
If not thats great. So I just need to buy the window panel and it all comes out from inside?
Thanks

 

You wont necessarily have to take the whole top out. You will have to unbolt the bottom bow in the trunk and unstaple the top and the window, pull the top back about half way exposing the whole window, install the window using your old one as a guide then restaple the top to the bow as it was and that is it. It might seem hard but once you get into it you will see its easy.

 

Is the bow the staples go into wood ? Are the staples like regular hardware store type?
Should I just do the whole top while I'm at it? Is this too many questions?
I do appreciate your help.
Thanks

 

its not wood, its like 10 thin layers of cardboard. i forget the size but you will need two sizes and a staple gun. Get the smallest size and the bigger one after that. This would be a good time to do the whole top, prepare to put many hours in. It will take 12 or more hours to install the whole thing.

 

Window only it is.....
Thanks

 

I know it has been a long time since starting, but have searched and can't find the offender!

The drip-tray is clean and rust free. I can see water trails in the side pans where the water is directed to the sides and it drains out the bottom as it should.

The dealership looked at it and tried to replace the weatherstrip along the leading edge if the trunk lid. I tried to explain that it was impossible for the leak to be coming from there, but they insisted on ordering it. The new one came in and fit worse that the original one.... I discussed it with the service manager who agreed that replacing the strip was useless.

The next step seems to be giving the car to them for a couple of days for them to really dig in and search for it..... not holding out much hope. I guess I'll crawl in the back again with a super bright light while the wife douses the car down.

Any chance of this needing a full top replacement? I initially would think not since the car only has about 5700 miles on it, but even the service tech mentioned it. I am not against getting a new top under warranty but I have doubts about the local service department's ability to install one correctly. I have never done it, but I would think it takes someone with experience to do one correctly so it makes me a little nervous!

Your thoughts on other sources and letting the dealer replace the top?

Thanks,
Allen

 

Allen I would let them replace the top and then hose it down when you get it home, if it doesnt leak then they did a good job on that. I personally hate it to death installing tops. I would rather have pirahna chew on my *****. If its under warranty let the dealer handle it. if its not, then I can tell you how to install one. As for the leak, hose it down till you see the water, thats the best way to do it.

 

Yea, resurecting another thread from the dead....

Still no joy after numerous trips to the service dept. I honestly have no idea where the water could be coming from since it shows up on the shelf behind the rear seat (starting from the left side), then runs down into the trunk well and (I'm assuming) behind the rear seat. The interior is starting to "smell funny" from the water thanks to the water getting under the carpet. Still under waranty so I'm wondering if they can replace the carpet and padding now to correct the musty smell.

Yet another trip scheduled this Friday to the service dept- this time it is going to an upholstery shop. I'm guessing they sub-out the 'vert top work to someone.

I'm just curious- I know that no convertable is "water-tight" and expect a few drips sometimes. I am not surprised it gets a few drops around the window seals if we get a good down-pour, but my folks had a Mustang 'vert years ago (1990) and never seemed to have any problems anywhere!

For the 4th gen Camaro, I thought they (the 'verts) were designed as a 'vert to start with vice just chopping the top off of a coupe, so are my expectations too high here?

Thanks,
Allen

 

I dont have a single leak in mine except around the door seals. Have you had someone run a water hose over it while you sat inside and looked for the leak?

 

Yup.... I can't "see" anything leaking using a bright light and checking the seams. The water seeps in and collects on the shelf behind the back seat. I seems to start from the far left side and run ti the center.

That is what is frustrating- I can't seem to find the damn leak. As I said before, I am questioning if it is a design issue and I am expecting too much from it, but based on your reply I'm not off base.

If these guys can't seem to figure it out, I'll press for a new top. The only fear is when replacing the top it won't fit as well as the OEM. The original top fits sung and looks good..... but doesn't keep the H2O out!

Thanks for the reply.

Allen

 

Well I have installed many 4th gen aftermarket tops and they fit great! But maybe thats because I do them, lol. I havent been told of any of my installs leaking and most have been installed for 6 months - 1 year. AA Best Co is where I got the tops...should be able to find them on Ebay.

 

Could somebody give me a general location on where to look for the drains. Thanks.

Susan