Do you hate your convertible when it's rain so much?

rnln · 04:08 PM

This is the third time I tried to fix the leak and still.. it flood my interior and sources from several places. Let me do one by one.

1) my first question regards the front windshield weather strip surround. There is the metal strip kindda pin in the center of the weather strip.
Does this metal strip pins through the rubber weather strip? I mean, can water leak through where the metal strip stick into the rubber weather strip? Or this is enclosure?
Man.. it's hard to describe this question.

2) The major leak for me are the corners where the convertible-front-corners meet the top corners edges of the front-windshield_frame-corners.
Anyone have this problem and there is any fixed?

tonythetarga · 01-02-2006, 06:47 AM

My Targa had a similar problem. The seals get old and the top flexes there and water finds its way in. $*it happens and Targa's and cab's leak. Replacing seals is not a good option as they don't make a good fitting replacement seal as far as I know. I wanted to change the seals but was advised by one of the best top specialists to leave it alone, for the above reasons. After all, how much does it actually rain in CA anyway??? (todays floods not included) ;-)

yelcab1 · 01-02-2006, 07:19 AM

Forget it, you can't fix it. The car is 20 years old and the body has sagged a little (or a lot), and that point is where all 3 seals come together. Impossible for a perfect fit on a 20 years old car.

That is the same reason why I no longer own my 84 cabriolet. I now drive coupe only. Convertibles are pains in the rain.

Spede · 01-02-2006, 07:27 AM

rnln,

Is this 911 your daily driver?

I used to drive my 1984 Cab everyday, even in the winter, until I wised up and bought a "rainy day" car. It's an early 90s Civic for $1000 that I only drive in the rain while the Cab is covered under a weather proof car cover. Unfortunately, my Cab doesn't have a garage space.

David E. Clark · 01-02-2006, 07:29 AM

I disagree that it can't be fixed! I have a copy of "Porsche Service School Targa Roof Repairs" which helped me quite a lot when I was having the same problems. I was able to make my 1973 MUCH better -- not perfect, but MUCH better. The manual shows all the adjustment points for the door window frames, the window regulator, the door strikers and and the targa roof as well as how to properly fit the seals. I scanned it as a pdf (adobe) document but can't seem to get it to post here as an attachment. If you want a copy (it's about 4.5 megs) send me a PM with your email and I'll send you a copy.

Wickd89 · 01-02-2006, 07:39 AM

Go buy a quik-canopy and park it under.

I drove my cab in the rain yesterday (first time since I bought it) and it did leak a little when it was parked; at two points. One was in the front drivers top to a-frame as you noted and the other was at the passengers window in the rear end. Did not seem to be a problem when I was driving.

I am now considering buying a mini-car cover that just covers the top and connects to the door handles. Just for trips that end up finding rain.

Cheers, luis

David E. Clark · 07:53 AM

I'm happy to send anyone a copy of the manual but I can't post a pdf here (at least I can't figure out how to) so I'll need email addresses. Just send me a PM and I'll send it out via regular email.

makaio · 01-02-2006, 07:57 AM

My cab is water tight.

CBRacerX · CBRacerX's Garage

My 96 Cab does not leak, period.

tonythetarga · 01-02-2006, 11:30 AM

I am sure the newer cabs are fine. This is an 87 and it's in CA. That might mean a lot of top down driving and UV exposure to the rubber. Does the car get garaged? Is it kept inside and when not in use does the owner release the top to keep the rubber from hardening in a compressed state? There are a number of reasons why a 19 year old cab leaks at the places it does. Some get better care than others.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I park my ragtop in the garage during the rainy season and drive the 911 coupe. The 911 is my winter car.

My ragtop is 35 years old, no sense in trying to make it rain tight. I'd like to keep the car dry anyway, aside from washing it, to avoid any chance of rust.

No, there is no path through the windshield seal. The trim sits in there to spread it like a wedge but there is no path to the inside from the trim "slot".

George

rnln · 01-02-2006, 04:31 PM

Thanks all for advise

Spede,
I can understand why you have to cover it. The water drip in while driving is killing me. The fear of rust is another thing scare me. I had experience on restoring oldy so I know how hard it is to kill the rust and keep you car as "perfect" at some spot just just the windshield edges. but this is my 3rd car. If I have another, even cheappy car, ins is going to kill me quick before my wife would. In fact, I always dislike the convertible. Number one reason made me "looked" as a convertible because "my boss" (wiffy). The second reason after I look at this car is because it's so nice, so "new", and so... balh blah.

David E. Clark,
I did adjust my windows, glass, frame, etc...... tried to shield the windshield etc... after the rain, the silicone kindda melt and "washed" away. I clean them all anyway.
Please email me your copy lan_9999@yahoo.com
Thanks David

Wickd89, Spede,
Mini weather proof car cover is a good idea. I was thinking of making it but don't know how and which material. My wife said: "the plastic table cover". But how long it'll last?
If you can find one or any idea, please post.
Thanks.

tonythetarga,
I just bought this car a month or so. Before that, the car was garage always and hardly even driven. It look so good for a 19 years car. If the PO told me his car is only 2 years old, I would beleive it. Well, you know what I mean. BUT there is one thing, the fabric suround the rubber edge above the glass windows was all rubbed. And this material is one of the leak source too, not major as the other places but it does't help more water in the car. I am thinking peelling it off but I couldn't. It stick so hard.

aigel,
Thanks. This info would help me a lot.

aigel · aigel's Garage

What I wanted to add is that if your car is leaking from the windshield seal area, your seal is likely old and hard and lets water get through. You will need a new seal then. Resist the temptation and do NOT squirt silicone sealer all over the windshield like many folks seem to do. Eventually it will catch up with you and you have to scrape silicone and breathe adhesive remover for a day ... ask me how I know. No, I didn't do the silicone job, PO did ...

George

rnln · 01-03-2006, 02:32 AM

Do you know how to take the windshield off?
Thanks.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by rnln
Do you know how to take the windshield off?
Thanks.

O yes. Done it twice.

First for a leak and a new dash and then for a new windshield half a year later.

You should do a search on this topic. Basically you cut around the inside of the trim with a sharp knife and it will all come out nicely. Reinstallation is a bit trickier. Use plenty of soap and a rope. IT can be done one man, but I recommend a helper when it is time to reinstall. One person should push while you pull the rope ...

George

911Atlanta · 01-03-2006, 08:16 AM

You're not alone -- must be a typical problem; my '87 cab leaks a bit in those exact same corners (left and right), and it can be a pain in heavy rain. My seals look ok, so I think it's a matter of body flex/separation and being 20 yrs old - and at this point I'm not inclined to spend much fixing it.

Good luck, and let us know if / how you fix it !