Targa vent window doesn't seal - which adjustments are necessary?

[steve911]

Targa owners - help me in my quest to seal my top and eliminate wind noise (or at least reduce it).

The driver side vent window doesn't seat against the side targa - hence I'm getting a leak and lots of wind noise when the top is on.

I know the vent window corner seal is shot; I am waiting on the part from the dealer (Pelican couldn't even get it).

Question(s) I have are:
Do I need to adjust the electric window, so it does not go up quite as far, since right now it appears to go up too high, not allowing the corner seal to mate with the side seal of the top?

Also, looking at the vent window from inside the car, the rubber molding at the bottom of the window is not flush with the inside door cap.

So, which do I worry about - the height of the side electric window or the geometry of the whole window frame. The ONLY leak I have is at the top of the vent window. Put another way, which do I tackle first. I don't want to compound the problem, so what's your take on the best way to attack this, or is it all trial and error?

As an aside, my car does not have the 'rivets' at the top of the vent window that are mentioned in the archives - I've got bolts that have a hex head that can be unscrewed. I'm presuming that I can loosen and remove them, replace the corner seal and reuse the bolt - yes?

Notice glass is quite a bit higher than vent window:




Bottom of vent window is not level with door cap:


Passenger side has much better seal:


Passenger side vent window bottom is flush with door cap:

[911FL]

I had the same problem even after replacing the side seals. Yesterday I adjusted the side windows to not push up so far on the side seals and this has made the single biggest difference in sealing the top. It takes time to remove the door panels, but once there it is a piece of cake. Bentleys shows the appropriate bolt to loosen and then you have to move the window to where you want it (you can also adjust the angle of the window). I dropped mine about 2 mm and the windows do not push against the little triangle seal (looks normal now). Don't know why the window would drift out of adjustment "upward" over time, but this was certainly the case here. Good luck with yours.

[steve911]

911FL--
did you adjust the whole frame or just the up/down movement of the window?

thanks

[rcecale]

Steve,

Great thread. I'm having the same issue with both of my vent windows, though not quite as drastic as yours. The noise while driving doesn't bother me nearly as much as the water that comes in while driving in the rain.

I'm anxious to see the information you get.

Randy

[Jdub]

The window is permitted to move further up when the round rubber stop wears, and a channel develops. That stop can be adjusted by removing only the upper threshold of the door panel. The adjusting screw is about 2/3rds the way towards the back of the car.

John

[jtratza]

I've been having the same issue with side vents especially the driver side. On the passenger side I glued a rubber door stop seal to the rubber roof seal which worked. This past week I simply stuck some rubber form to the roof seal above the vent window. Not exactly the best way to solve the problem but no leaks this weekend in a storm. Seal was black foam sticky on one side and about 3/4 inch wide and 1/2 inch thick.

[rip78sc]

Gentlemen, I think this is a combo problem - one being the vent window and another being the targa top. I had/have the same problem and with some adjustments it has improved. First adjustment was the window so that it would not go past the stop (as 911FL described.) Second was to pull the vent window as high up as possible. There are four hex screws that need to be loosened to adjust (two at the front of the door, one just below the vent window and another inside the door at the bottom.) Once I did these two I now have a seal like that of the passenger side of Steve911 - not perfect but keeps the rain and wind noise down. I have read (but not tried yet) that you can adjust the Targa top to sit lower, thus obtaining a better seal. I don't know if mine is as low as it goes or not, but worth a try. Try a search on Targa Top adjustments/height and you may come back with the procedure.

Hope this helps,

Rob

[911FL]

My vent window frame was meeting the new side seals fine. If this is not the case (old seals wear down here) then start by first adjusting the vent window frames up to the top seals. Then, open up the door panel (on my car I had to remove the panel to access the adjustment bolts) and carefully adjust the window so that it just slips under the lip of the seal without pushing up on the top. This should ensure NO water and NO wind if done properly.

[steve911]

911FL--
thanks. I think I will have to adjust both the vent window and make an adjustment to the height of the main window, but I have to first replace that corner seal and see what it looks like. Right now, if there is a significant gap between the vent frame and the targa side seal if looking at it from the outside (1st & 2nd pictures).

However, looking at the vent window frame from the inside (3rd picture down), my initial inclination is that I need to LOWER the vent window in order to have the molding sit flush with the door cap, just like the passenger window (last picture).

[rip78sc]

Steve911 - the more I look at it the more I think it is your Targa top that is off. (see attached photos)

[steve911]

rip78sc--
Thanks, though camera angles are somewhat deceiving. In trying to eliminate the leak, I had previously 'added' to the seals on that corner with some thin weatherstripping. Turns out that it was throwing the whole geometry off. The top is aligned with the windshield - the camera angle makes it appear off.

With the added weatherstripping removed, the side seals are closer, though there is still a gap. Once I replace the corner seal at the vent window, I'll be able to see what other adjustment(s) might be necessary.

[dandrews64]

Steve, timely thread. I live in Sonoma county, and we've had some serious rain lately eh?

My 82 SC targa has a leak in the same area.

My plan is to
1) replace the triangle seals and adjust window height
2) replace the targa top side seals
3) replace the targa bar front seal
4) and here is where is gets interesting, and need input from Pelicans: I want to replace the windshield to targa top seal with the seal from 86-94 911's There is a flap on later models that helps cover the top of the corner window and thus prevent rain from leaking in (looks like you have it, but yours is an 85?). I would think it would fit, could the windshield frame have changed that much?
Part numbers:
C565-090-47 1970-1985 models (mine)
C799-565-80 1986-1994 models (what I'd like to use)

Anybody ever tried this or know what the differences are between the two seals?

Thanks !

[911FL]

Looking at these pictures more carefully, it appears that the side seal on the driver's side needs adjusting first. There are four screws holding the side seal to the roof. Loosen these and there is play to move the seal to move inwards and outwards. This also effectively raises and lowers the seal by a small amount. Your seal needs to meet the outside of the vent window better, and by doing this, you should also realize a better mating of all surfaces between the front and side seal. THEN, go by my recommendations for adjusting vent/and window height. This should work. I have spent the past three months learning everything about the targa seal issue and feel that with a little patience, some understanding of all the surfaces that need to mateup, and a lot of luck, these cars can be made super tight. When I bought my car it rained that night and I wound up with an inch of water on the passenger side, now I can wash my car with a hose pointed right at the seals all the way around and I get NO water intrusion. Nice. Good luck with yours.

Dandrews...the new (and only) seals available are from the newer targas. A real complaint on all sites...do a search on this one. Fortunately, you can modify the side seals slightly, takes time and patience to do, and they work fine. Unfortunately, I have not needed to replace the winshield to top seal (and this one is supposed to betricky) so you want to check all the sites for more info here.

[steve911]

911FL--
thanks for the info and insights. I first need to replace the corner vent seal, since that is clearly broken. Once I've done that, then I can look at the seals and the height of the window to make the necessary adjustments.

[kbruz]

"There are four hex screws that need to be loosened to adjust (two at the front of the door, one just below the vent window and another inside the door at the bottom.)"

This is a really timely thread. Just got my passenger window installed last night. I have the same problem as steve911. The wind noise had been driving me crazy for some time. I know where the inside bottom bolt is located. It is connected to a series of two brackets that attach to the innerdoor. Not sure where the one below is vent window is located?

[dandrews64]

do you have the bentley?

I think if you remove all the interior door trim there are two obvious hex bolts that hold the bottom of the vent window.

Good luck, it is equally art and science !

[jtratza]

Guys thanks for the help but I still cannot find the last allen screw. I found the two in the front of the door and the one on the top but of the three that are under the door panel the bottom most one is for the door window. Where's this fourth one? I've got the door panel off except where the window controls are located. I dred unhooking them 'cause I know I'll play hell getting them back on in the right order. Anyone got a picture of the bottom allen screw that is inside the door?

[kbruz]

If you are trying to adjust the small vent window the the last bolt is inside the door near the bottom. Get a mirror inside the speaker opening in the door and look towards the rear of the car. Here is a picture looking inside the large door opening. Part numbers 5,7,10,11. This is for a 86 targa

[jtratza]

You da man Kbruz! I'm headed for the garage to finish up and will let you know how it went. Thanks much.