Leaking Convertible
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 15
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Leaking Convertible Hi Everyone,
For years my convertible has been leaking at this area (please refer to pic). The pic refers to the leaky area on my passenger side- top window where the convertible top meets the top of the windshield.
Any suggestions what to do?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance,
Derek
For years my convertible has been leaking at this area (please refer to pic). The pic refers to the leaky area on my passenger side- top window where the convertible top meets the top of the windshield.
Any suggestions what to do?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance,
Derek
TECH Junkie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 676
From: Western North Carolina
That seems to be an area quite common for leaks on both sides. Just from personal experience I had a very small leak there and just made the rubber weatherstripping seal as soft and pliable as possible. It stopped the leak! I used both 303 and Armorall for starters, just massaging the stuff into the weatherstripping, then wiping it down as they can attract dirt if left greasy and wet. To top it off I used a little of the recommended dielectric silicone grease (GM part #12345579) and the rubber is perfect for almost two years now. If your rubber is just too hard and you are unable to get it pliable again then I'm not sure if there is a product out there, but maybe someone else knows.
Note* I know there are many Armorall (and related product) haters out there but I have never had an issue with the protectorant products in 11 years of F-body ownership and years of use on other cars as well. A lot of rumors out there since way back when. The only negative from my experience is the dirt factor when used on exterior areas.
Note* I know there are many Armorall (and related product) haters out there but I have never had an issue with the protectorant products in 11 years of F-body ownership and years of use on other cars as well. A lot of rumors out there since way back when. The only negative from my experience is the dirt factor when used on exterior areas.
i have leaks on both sides of the car, its pretty bad. I have to sometimes drive with a towel so i dont get soaked while driving on my lap. Seriously, it that bad!!!
I thought about swapping the weatherstripping.... anyone done this before?
I thought about swapping the weatherstripping.... anyone done this before?
Originally Posted by NC01TA
I used both 303 and Armorall for starters, just massaging the stuff into the weatherstripping, then wiping it down as they can attract dirt if left greasy and wet.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Quakertown, PA
Mine leaks in the front and back, also my back window leaks...is there something I should use... I washed my car about two weeks ago and the next day we where fixing the back seat, removed the bolt and found a ¼ inch of water. I was thinking about using silicone but my husband told me not to. Any suggestions.
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Originally Posted by Stang Killer
what is this 303 that you speak of? cuz mine drivers side leaks after i wash it....its pretty annoying
Their web site is http://www.303products.com I don't know if it is okay to post it here, but anyway, very good stuff.
They have a carpet/upostly cleaner that works wonders for me.
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I don't drive my car in the rain, so I've never experienced a problem in that area. But it appears that another possibility could be the drain hole in the windshield top weatherstripping that appears to run down inside the A-pilar could plug-up and cause water to back-up and leak out in the corners there. I don't really know where that drain hole ends up going, but you might blast some compressed air down it to be sure it drains OK.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MA
I've had some success with a different method. Some people might be real picky, but I think my method looks fine, well worth getting rid of the leaks.
First I would try NC01TA's method, that sounds good. Already did mine this way though.
Black silicone RTV. Tape wax paper over the edge of the window covering a few inches of both sides of the window. Clean the surfaces. Open the door, and lightly close it to the first click but so it's still ajar. Study where the window sits on the seal. Still studying the edge, push the door closed. Repeat a few times to get an idea how much the window moves in the seal from one click to closed. Now put it back at ajar, and apply a smooth uniform bead along the affected area of the seal. Now gently push the door fully closed. Let it sit over night. When it's dry, the wax paper peels off of the silicone pretty easily. The black is pretty inconspicuous. Well worth the stopped leak.
First I would try NC01TA's method, that sounds good. Already did mine this way though.
Black silicone RTV. Tape wax paper over the edge of the window covering a few inches of both sides of the window. Clean the surfaces. Open the door, and lightly close it to the first click but so it's still ajar. Study where the window sits on the seal. Still studying the edge, push the door closed. Repeat a few times to get an idea how much the window moves in the seal from one click to closed. Now put it back at ajar, and apply a smooth uniform bead along the affected area of the seal. Now gently push the door fully closed. Let it sit over night. When it's dry, the wax paper peels off of the silicone pretty easily. The black is pretty inconspicuous. Well worth the stopped leak.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 362
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From: fairfax, va
that black silicon stuff in a tube. put on rubber gloves and smear it on the windshield frame. i did this on a POS 93 VW cabriolet and it also quiet down the wind noise significantly on the highway.
shooter: thats a great idea. If it stops the leak, hey, the neat freaks might complain but you'll be leak free while they still drive around with a roll of bounty in the back seat!!!
Skunk: I'm not sure i understand? windshield frame? Do you mean the rubber weatherstripping or the edge of the window itself?
Skunk: I'm not sure i understand? windshield frame? Do you mean the rubber weatherstripping or the edge of the window itself?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MA
Originally Posted by skunk50
that black silicon stuff in a tube. put on rubber gloves and smear it on the windshield frame. i did this on a POS 93 VW cabriolet and it also quiet down the wind noise significantly on the highway.
not the windshield, the door windows.
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 17
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I just put some dielectric grease on my seals the other day but make sure you wipe them down! I thought the stuff would just absorb into the rubber but it doesn't, so let it sit for a while and then wipe down the excess.
The black RTV trick seems good, I'll have to remember that if I have an issue.
OFF TOPIC: the 303 stuff is great, it protects better and doesn't shine like Armor All does, which is nice for our interiors since F-body dashes are monstrous and the reflection off of the Armor All glare can be blinding.
The black RTV trick seems good, I'll have to remember that if I have an issue.
OFF TOPIC: the 303 stuff is great, it protects better and doesn't shine like Armor All does, which is nice for our interiors since F-body dashes are monstrous and the reflection off of the Armor All glare can be blinding.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
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From: Northvale, NJ
Originally Posted by Shooter_Jay
Black silicone RTV. Tape wax paper over the edge of the window covering a few inches of both sides of the window. Clean the surfaces. Open the door, and lightly close it to the first click but so it's still ajar. Study where the window sits on the seal. Still studying the edge, push the door closed. Repeat a few times to get an idea how much the window moves in the seal from one click to closed. Now put it back at ajar, and apply a smooth uniform bead along the affected area of the seal. Now gently push the door fully closed. Let it sit over night. When it's dry, the wax paper peels off of the silicone pretty easily. The black is pretty inconspicuous. Well worth the stopped leak.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MA
Originally Posted by obZidian
this is with the silicon right?
...night time doesn't hurt I guess...