Porsche 911 2004 soft top leaks...

oldguy43 · 03-15-2008, 01:53 PM

I own a Porsche Carrera 911 2004, model 996. It is a convertible, and I have been having problems with the soft top, especially when I wash the car (through a touchless car wash), or when there is rain. My wife owns a Saab 9.3 (convertible as well), and I can drive this through a normal, automatic car wash with no leaks coming through the soft top whatsoever.

Is this normal, for a 911 soft top to leak? It's not major flooding, but there is some leaking that comes from both side of the windscreen, and along the top edges of the windows. The water drips onto the floor on both sides between the door and seats, and soaks the carpet.

How can I fix this? Does anyone know of this happening in other cars of the same model?

I asked one dealer, and they told me the leaking wasn't covered under warranty, as it was due to wear and tear. However, my car is still under warranty and I don't believe that it should leak like this.

Thank you so much for any information or help.

EarlyPorsche · 03-15-2008, 02:34 PM

Well you are told not to drive the 911 through an automatic car wash for a reason. Not only is that damaging to the paint but its a 911, why would you do that to it! I hand wash and thats the only way it should be done. If its not doing it except in the car wash its because of the ultra-highpressure HOT water they use. If its doing it in the rain you have permanently damaged the seals and the finish of the soft top that can get washed off with the damaging chemicals of the car wash and they all just need to be replaced. First step is to stop using the car wash. Next is to see if it leaks in rain, if so the whole lot should be replaced for a proper fix.

oldguy43 · 03-15-2008, 03:04 PM

I'm sorry, I don't think I explained properly--
I only drive my wife's car, the Saab, through the automatic car wash, and I have no problems with it.
I hand wash my Porsche in the summer, and occasionally put it through a 'touch less' car wash, where there are no brushes, merely a low pressure, cool water shower for the car, as it is very hard to wash my car by hand during the winter.
I hope that clears things up!