Cabrio Top Seal - How do you close your doors?

[kenzinger]

Hi All,

I took my new '83 911SC cabrio on a trip over the weekend and it just so happened to be a tropical storm.

Typically, I wouldn't take it out in the rain, but it isn't always possible to predict. So, everything got really wet, despite the towels I put down and the painters tape I used to try and cover the gaps.

The vertical seal at the rear of each window is a bit old and the horizontal seal at the top of the window has a few chunks missing, resulting in a less than stellar seal (picture below).

When I am in the car, I am able to put the window down before closing the door and then I can raise the window into the channel and get a really good seal. But when I open the door to get out and close it again, I can't get the window to sit in the channel and the gap is always there.

Is there a secret to this I am missing? How can I get a good seal when I am not in the car? I thought about replacing all the seals but they, uh, aren't cheap...

Thanks all!

[Jack Stands]

Looks like your window isn’t sitting correctly. There are quite a few different adjustments available to fit the door glass against the top, and Porsche has a booklet on Sealing the Cabriolet top.

[A horse with no name]

It appears that the top may also be shrunk, including, as you stated, your seals are worn out...To start with, install the 'windshield to top' seal, including the window channel seals...They are the least expensive of all the Cab seals.

Due to wind noise, I replaced all of the seals, relating to the top, about a decade ago...Still no air noise or water leak issues whatsoever.

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

Looks like your window isn’t sitting correctly. There are quite a few different adjustments available to fit the door glass against the top, and Porsche has a booklet on Sealing the Cabriolet top.

When I lower the window, close the door, and then raise the window - it seats perfectly and looks like it creates a good seal. I don't see how adjusting the window would allow it to enter the channel on the top horizontal seal at all when closing with the window up, but I'll do some searching. Thanks!

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

It appears that the top may also be shrunk, including, as you stated, your seals are worn out...To start with, install the 'windshield to top' seal, including the window channel seals...They are the least expensive of all the Cab seals.

Due to wind noise, I replaced all of the seals, relating to the top, about a decade ago...Still no air noise or water leak issues whatsoever.

Replacing all the seals was my first thought and I'll likely start heading that route but based on how I can seal it by raising the window and how the window seats when closing it with the window raised, I am concerned new seals wouldn't make a difference.

Is it possible that my windows aren't adjusted properly?

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by Jack Stands

Looks like your window isn’t sitting correctly. There are quite a few different adjustments available to fit the door glass against the top, and Porsche has a booklet on Sealing the Cabriolet top.

Doing some searching looks like this might be the case - mostly targa threads. I'll start reading up, try adjusting and then look at replacing seals.

[kenzinger]

Here is another view that shows how the windows aren't adjusted properly. I suspect that you shouldn't see the screws and that the window stop should be level.

Does anyone have a good post that describes the window adjustment?

[A horse with no name]

Oops!..I just posted...That's that rubber boot that I'm referring to...Your window is lifting too high.

Post:
Yes...It very well could need adjusting; it appears that the window may be lifting too high...On the very top front of the small fixed window, is a small rubber boot...When up, is it lifting this boot up?..If so, it's the reason why the door won't shut properly with the window up...The correct adjustment, is when the top of the window 'just' touches the top of the outer seals lip.

2. Check to see if the small side fixed window is secure...If it moves, there are two screws on the outside on the channel - door jam, and one inside the door panel that will require tightening.

If the window needs to be adjusted so that the window stops at a lower point, that also requires the door panel to come off...There is plenty of posts that will show you how to take off the door panel, including how you adjust the window height.

Be careful not to break the plastic clips (+screws) that hold the door panel on.

[A horse with no name]

Due to the window being too high, it appears that it has damaged the top seal.

[A horse with no name]

I just found this link...It provides the info that you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2mbNZ2uWGI

[kenzinger]

Originally Posted by A horse with no name

I just found this link...It provides the info that you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2mbNZ2uWGI

Thanks so much for the help! Now to plan the "while I have the doors open" jobs... for example my drivers side door lock doesn't work and the driver side window regulator seems a bit tired.

[cabmandone]

You need to adjust the window stop. Once you have the window stop adjusted, there are screws in the horizontal seal you can use to adjust it and there are three nuts on the back of the vertical seal you can loosen to adjust it. You also have some adjustment on the window itself. If you look at your door, there will be a rubber plug that covers allen bolts (I think) that if you loosen you'll be able to tilt your window in or out slightly. It's a dance you'll do and when you're done dancing, it'll probably still leak.