Targa wind noise

I recently purchased a 1984 Targa with a new top. I am getting a great amount of wind noise from above the windshield over 60 mph. The rubber seals were not replaced but look ok. Is this normal? If not, what can I do to remedy?
Thanks

Isn't wind noise a standard feature with Targas's .




[This message has been edited by 89911 (edited 07-23-2000).]

I tend to agree that wild noise is standard with Targa's, but there is always the matter of degree ...

It might very well improve with new rubber seals, but there is a certain amount of skill or maybe experience required to deal with those seals, and the sealing problems of Targa's in general! Those seals are possibly 16+ years old, by now, so I would recommend replacement.

I am somewhat skeptical that your 'new' top is really NEW, rather than rebuilt, as new ones are over $3000! There are adjustments that can be made to the top, whether rebuilt or new, but they have to be made by an expert!

In general, noise problems tend to exist with Targa's, regardless of fixxes and care, so, if you are looking for a quiet car, I don't think you will be happy for long, so my best guess is, if you have a low tolerance for wind noise, you may never be happy.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

[This message has been edited by Early_S_Man (edited 07-23-2000).]

I think the later Targas had a slightly redesigned front seal and rain gutter area to reduce wind noise. A friend's 89 Targa was WAY quieter than my 70 in general. Replacing any questionable rubber as Warren suggests is key; however, note that you can easily spend $400+ on just the front, rear and side seals.

At least your car doesn't have the "problematic" moving vent wing windows. That's where most of the noise comes from on my car, not from the top itself.

Does water get in when you wash the car (and/or rain)? If so, that is a source of wind noise as well as a water leak. The seal may need adjustment or replacement at that spot, or you may be able to get a tighter seal with careful application of silicone windshield sealant if the "gap" is small.

All else fails, buy a non-sunroof coupe!

Good luck,
Chris C.
70 911E Targa
73 914 2.0 (Targa)

Firstly is your top correctly locked into the catches along the front of the roof (not the ones that hold the roff on, but the smally catches that hold the roof to the front roof support). If it is then check to see if the front lip of the targa roof is flush or if the lip of the rood is slightly up, it will create a lot of noise (in my experience).


I am not sure how to fix the second potential cause, other than just bending it down, which I have had limited success with.

Neil
81SC Targa

Guys, with trials and work, I have been able to cut my wind noise by at least 75%.. Here's how.

1) Adjusting the roofskin/support bar clips. Occasionally, the wind would push the top off of the clips. These are the ones that hold the skin to the suports when the top is unfolded. The result is that you get a gap large enough to stick your hand through when driving. Proper adjustment solved this problem

2) I got some of that 1/2 circle door moulding at Pepboys. (about 1/4 inch wide)Cut a piece and stuck it to the windshield frame just in front of the top lip. Kind of pushes the air over the front seam, rather than catching it. My car is black, and so is the moulding, but if your careful enough and get it close enough, I think you wouldn't see it, even on other colors.

3) Got some 1.25" by 3/8" thick adhesive wheatherstrip from Home Depot ($4, i think). put a strip on the underside of the front edge. Covers from roughly the frame to about 1/4" from the front edge. This seemed to make the biggest difference of all. REally cut the noise. Tried the thicker stuff first, but it pushed the front edge of the top too far up into the airstream.

I will try to take some pictures this week if someone would like. (though not till Wed).

I'll put it this way, I can now hear the radio at less than 1/2 volume even at 80.

Great responses from everyone; I'll be taking a trip to Home Depot in the next few days!

But some wind noise is inevitable with Targas, remember the 911 is an old design, and back in the 60s and 70s even hardtop cars had an amount of wind noise that would be totally unacceptable today.

One of the least commented-on breakthroughs in automotive technology in the 1980s was the development of properly designed and contructed door and window seals - even the cheapest new cars today are remarkabley quiet compared to their ancestors!

- roGER

Scott those sound like great ideas, I too will be making a trip to Home Depot. But as it has already been said, there will always be some degree of noise with an older Targa, isn't that why we love them?

Shawn

Hey, anyone else have a problem with the (non-opening) vent windows failing to meet the targa seal? Even with my windows down there's still enough of a gap between the top and the upper edge of the vent window for daylight to shine through. The wind noise from that region is unbelievable at high speeds. Oh, yeah--my targa top is "new".

(Sigh), should've gotten a sunroofless coupe, it's too hot out here for an open-roof car anyway...unfortunately I need the extra headroom the Targa provides.

blue
'81 911SC Targa

[This message has been edited by BlueSkyJaunte (edited 07-24-2000).]

You can adjust the height of the non-operating vent windows to meet the targa seal. I know that there are 2 allen head screws on the front edge of the door. loosen these, I can't remember, but there may also be a 3rd screw under the door panel top pad. I had to adjust mine up about 1/4 - 1/3 inch.

Good Luck!

Wow, Scott, thanks. I had no idea that was possible. My mechanic never mentioned it as an option...

Looks like I've got a weekend project besides changing the oil. =)

blue

Scott, I would also be interested in the pictures. Please post what you're describing if you get a chance as it sounds like every targa owner has experienced this annoyance.

It's hard to talk to my wife going 80 much less hear the radio. But I have other issues with vent windows, wndow seals and in general 26 year old rubber.

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Mark Isaak
'74 Targa

I had problems with my seal leaking across the top along with some wind noise. What I did was run a bead of black rubber sealant on top of the existing rubber seal and ran a flat edge across the top to make it level rather than have the "v" there. It stopped the leak and as far as wind noise - it's gone.

Steve

I'll take pictures late this week. I have to agree with stormcrow's solution too. Seems most of the wind noise comes from the front seal not being close enough. I beleive that anything to take this space up is sufficient.

There is a factory bulletin,WKD 493 821 'Sealing of 911: Coupe, Targa, Cabriolet' that was published 10/86.

Don't expect any miracles, as is is only 24 pages long, but there are some pictures, and some newer, updated part numbers for seals, etc.

I am not sure if it is still available.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I also had wind noise on my '72. Found that the clips mentioned in this thread were loose and allowed for the top to be high and not seal. After working on the clips the noise got less in volume, also had some water leaks, yse it does rain in northern cal. I have seen new larger clips advertised in the most recent Automotion catalog. They might help.

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John Birkett
72'T Targa

Has anyone successfully gotten an old targa to be watertight in the rain? I usually store mine all winter, but I might consider using it if I could get it to stop leaking.

I have new seals all around the top and doors (expensive). The vent window seal (rear side) needs replacing, but the real issue is the top. It needs restoring. The vinyl is OK but I suspect it needs some structural work, a new front vinyl seal and side to window seals.

Sorry for the rambling intro. The real question is whether I can expect it to seal if I go to the expense of getting the top redone and replace the window seals? Has anyone succeeded?