The rain is getting inside

911Seattle · 11-19-2002, 06:06 PM

I have an '86 cabriolet (recently bought and gettting its first dose of rain under my ownership) and I can't seem to figure out how the rain is getting inside.

Basically, after the car has sat in the rain for the day, two places are getting wet. The edge of the seat closest to the door. And the underside of the door pouch/pocket. The very bizarre thing is that none of the door panel is wet and somehow the wetness is actually on the underside of the pouch. Again, to add confusion, the same exact thing is happening on both sides of the car.

How is the rain getting there without getting anything else wet. I've checked the convertible top and no leaks.....I've checked the window seam and again no apparent leaks.

Truly baffled! Any ideas? Thanks in advance
Jesse

jeff m · 11-19-2002, 06:14 PM

Move south!

Sorry, couldn't resist it.

There was a post a couple of days ago, I think most people seemed to have a problem with the screen, but one post was regarding the plastic sheet that is between the door and the door panel. if it is missing or misligned water could come from the window. Sounds like that could be your prob.

Jeff
911T

john walker's workshop · 11-19-2002, 06:17 PM

the #1 water leak area is the windshield seal. it wets the area you mention. have a glass shop pump some sealer around both sides of the seal.

island911 · 11-19-2002, 07:23 PM

If I had a cabriolet in Seattle I would get one of these mini covers.

John Walker can put you in touch with the builder; a local gal named Gwen.

Tyson Schmidt · 11-19-2002, 07:59 PM

John's right about the windshield being a major leak source.

But I think I know where your leak may be coming from.
In '86, the Cabriolet's got rain gutters on the top for the first time. These gutters run along the top of the side window. These gutters catch the rain and rely on gooey weatherstrip sealant sandwiched between the gutter and the top frame to keep that rain from seeping inside. Yours may have dried and cracked, allowing water to seep in.

To get at them, you have to pull out the rubber seals, remove the fastening screws from the aluminum frame and remove the frame, and drill out the rivets holding the rain gutters to the top frame. The sealant should be applied to both sides of the gutter, then reinstall in reverse order.

Deeks · 11-20-2002, 03:48 AM

Island,

That's a tidy looking SC.
Does it belong to someone on the bbs ?

Doug Zielke · 11-20-2002, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Deeks

That's a tidy looking SC.
Does it belong to someone on the bbs ?

Yes!
That's my baby, wearing her sun-bonnet....now featuring 24 head studs, instead of 23-1/2!

yelcab1 · 11-20-2002, 06:25 AM

The point where the door meets the roof and the A pillar (the 3-point joint) is impossible to seal correctly for a car that is 17 years old. The body (tub) sags and that becomes out of specs.

The water (in my case) drips in along the forward edge of the door (agains the pillar) drops down right into the pocket (does not drip along the panel). If I parked my car at a slight backward angle, the water continues to drip backward and drops down at the rear foot well, and collects a 2 icnh puddle.

I found it impossible to fix, so I do not drive it in the rain (In california, that is not a great loss). But in Seatlle ... well, get rid of it. It will never go away, and will get worse.

Wouldn't you like a nice clean coupe?