'88 911 Targa wind noise !!!

[klrdave]

I have an '88 low mileage 911 Targa. The only problem with the car is with wind noise coming from the targa top at 60 mph or greater. The previous owner had the Targa roof redone locally and it likely has the American vinyl rather than the German vinyl kit. At this speed, the roof vinyl material begins to billow and lift up especially on warmer days and causes a great deal of aggravating wind noise.

I spoke with Dan at Cars Inc. and he believes a Stage 3 rebuild will eliminate the wind noise caused by this vinyl. The rebuild is roughly $1000. Don't mind paying this money for a rebuild roof assuming it eliminates the wind noise.

Do all Targa's of this vintage have wind noise at highway speeds?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Dave

'88 Porsche 911 Targa

[kach22i]

If there is anything you can do to make sure the leading edge is flush or points down instead of up catching the wind you may buy yourself some time.

Duct tape works too.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by klrdave

I have an '88 low mileage 911 Targa. The only problem with the car is with wind noise coming from the targa top at 60 mph or greater. The previous owner had the Targa roof redone locally and it likely has the American vinyl rather than the German vinyl kit. At this speed, the roof vinyl material begins to billow and lift up especially on warmer days and causes a great deal of aggravating wind noise.

I spoke with Dan at Cars Inc. and he believes a Stage 3 rebuild will eliminate the wind noise caused by this vinyl. The rebuild is roughly $1000. Don't mind paying this money for a rebuild roof assuming it eliminates the wind noise.

Do all Targa's of this vintage have wind noise at highway speeds?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Dave

'88 Porsche 911 Targa

Dave,

Ours has a bit of noise, but nothing like you are describing.

However, we never fold our top.

'86 Targa, 105K miles.

Good luck,

Gerry

[DonMo]

+1 for making sure the leading edge is flush or turned down. I removed my top and lovingly used a rubber mallet to bend the front down a bit. Don't go crazy with the mallet. The area above the side windows (quarter window, not full one) also makes noise if there is a gap.

[s5uewf]

I had Dan redo my targa top and it was a fabulous rebuild. He does great work.
In terms of noise, though, I still noticed lots of windnoise until adjusting the top as others mention. Getting the leading edge down even with the windshield is important, and also the side vent window gaskets and side window gaskets all must line up with the top.

The windows on your targa are adjustable from inside the door. I recommend you check window alignment and gasket fit with the top and adjust before rebuilding the targa top.

[RSTarga]

Even when perfect Targas and Cabs will always have quite a bit more wind noise than a coupe. Dan will do a great job on your top, and that is a start. Make sure that your top is flush with the frame at the windshield. Then after the rebuild, you have to make sure your side seals fit to the windows. Actually the newer cars like yours should be much better than an older targa.

[Bear911]

There definitely shouldn't be any billowing, so that's something to look into. A little noise is acceptable... it's the car's way of telling you it wants to go topless

[klrdave]

After reading the replies, I took the targa top off for a closer inspection and realized that the front edge of the top is adjustable with three hex screws per side. Adjusted both sides of the leading edge which snugged down the top and virtually eliminated the noise I was experiencing.

Now to ship the top off to Dan at Cars Inc. for the proper vinyl material rebuild.

[tcar]

I have seen the same issue. The non-german vinyl is much, much thinner than the german vinyl.

No matter how well it is installed, it will billow up like old convertible tops.

You possibly don't need a complete $1k rebuild, but do need a new cover. Nothing else will help.

[Bob Kontak]

Mine billows - I bought it at a Porsche dealer. Hmmmmm - Must not have the German stuff.

Thanks - good info.

[RSTarga]

It's not just the viniy, it's the canvas underneath. He is going down the right path in having Dan Pechtel at Carsinc do a rebuild.

[craigyirush]

Originally Posted by klrdave

After reading the replies, I took the targa top off for a closer inspection and realized that the front edge of the top is adjustable with three hex screws per side. Adjusted both sides of the leading edge which snugged down the top and virtually eliminated the noise I was experiencing.

Now to ship the top off to Dan at Cars Inc. for the proper vinyl material rebuild.

How did you do the adjustment - was it just a question of tightening the hex screws?

[Guus Lubsen]

Can you explain in more detail where I can find the hex screws?

[Drisump]

Originally Posted by Bear911

There definitely shouldn't be any billowing, so that's something to look into. A little noise is acceptable... it's the car's way of telling you it wants to go topless

Indeed... "warm days...top on"....what's with that? But seriously, I had a local recovering done (two seasons ago) and I understand what you're saying about the general looseness of the top fabric. When I'm about to lock the car up and close the door, the top balloons up far more than it did before the recovering. The only times I drive with top up, is when it's raining or is under, say, 50 degrees, so I can't say what the sound would would be like top up, windows open. Windows closed however, is fine. If the wind noise is loud with the windows closed, you need to do some tweaking to the roof or the closure system (assuming the seals are in fine shape). There are after market solutions to assist in seating the leading edge, perhaps you may have to look into that. Cheers