Leaking in 1989 911 Targa-but don't thinks its the top

[JonasJMac]

Hi - new to forum I have an 89 3.2L targa that i have noted the floor panels soaked recently after I got back from a trip for a few days. It did rain, but I keep the care under a car port enclosed on 2 sides so it typcially stays dry on the exterior. I read other forums about replacing targa top as it may likely be the issue, but given that it doesn't get exposed to a ton of rain, could it be condensation coming from the ground rising up. Of note we had a real cold spell several weeks ago and I drove it and parked and when I came back later I noted the condensation had caused ice to form on the inside of the car, front and back winshield. any thoughts ?? Thanks in Advance!

[Kidasters]

I had an 89 964. Same problem - really wet d/s floor. Turned out to be rust around the windshield seal. you couldn't see it leak visibly, but it was doing it.

My guess is, if it isn't your top leaking, it's the windshield seal, and you have rust around the windshield somewhere.

Good Luck.

Ken

[strikee]

Waterproof membrane behind door card? Usually butchered for one reason or another.
Ed

[964TargaC2]

I thought the same thing when I found a hold that someone had drilled through pass side floor to mount an amp or something..Fixed the hole where I thought the rain came in.

A few days later after washing the car I noticed that the water was coming from the rear targa bar seal. Turns out there is a tube like channel in the seal that should be placed into the door seal and water drains through them and out..mine was running down and into the car..remated the pieces and no more water.

[Chuck.H]

Originally Posted by 964TargaC2

I thought the same thing when I found a hold that someone had drilled through pass side floor to mount an amp or something..Fixed the hole where I thought the rain came in.

A few days later after washing the car I noticed that the water was coming from the rear targa bar seal. Turns out there is a tube like channel in the seal that should be placed into the door seal and water drains through them and out..mine was running down and into the car..remated the pieces and no more water.

I would second this as the problem, I think I have the same one. My rear targa seal has been chopped up as the part near the back of the window disintegrated and I recovered it with cloth. So the water doesn't channel down correctly. Replacing both the front and rear seals is on my 'whenever' list. I don't park in the rain much (I drive in it all the time, but I'm lucky to have covered parking at both my offices).

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 372k miles (in Atlanta, snowing! but in the parking garage)

[NYNick]

Crack your windows anyway…Porsches and trapped moisture don't play well together.

[Discseven]

JJ,

A suggestion...

If you have a DME and it's on the floor below the driver's seat, attach it to the bottom of the seat along with the rely.

This will save the DME from moisture/water damage.

Best!

Karl ~

[cpa]

JonasJMac, here is another hint. There are drain holes below the roll bar that allow water that enters the vents on the side of the roll bar to exit the inner panel. If your Targa has been parked out in a dusty area or around trees for most or some of it's life the drain holes will be plugged up. The water then collects inside the inner fender well until it reaches the top of the sill plate. Then it fills the floor of the car usually behind the seatson the floor pan. You can clean the drains with a welding rod or coat hangar or compressed air from under the car and flush water thru the side vents until it runs out clean.
Happy Hunting...cpa

[beren]

Yeah probably the roll bar. Water will run down, hit the corner where the peg is, and then go inside. My seal is torn a bit on both sides, but I can see the water running in.

I've also noticed that the seals on the "triangle window" seem to leak as well. I have a lot of door panel sag because of this. This I didn't notice until I recently took the door panel apart.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by cpa

JonasJMac, here is another hint. There are drain holes below the roll bar that allow water that enters the vents on the side of the roll bar to exit the inner panel. If your Targa has been parked out in a dusty area or around trees for most or some of it's life the drain holes will be plugged up. The water then collects inside the inner fender well until it reaches the top of the sill plate. Then it fills the floor of the car usually behind the seatson the floor pan. You can clean the drains with a welding rod or coat hangar or compressed air from under the car and flush water thru the side vents until it runs out clean.
Happy Hunting...cpa

I have a similar problem. Where are these holes? I suspect they have been covered by the undercoating my PO put one many moons ago.

[HarryD]

Never mind. Jacked up car and the drain is pretty obvious. Rodded it and ran some water through the vent.

[Roswell]

The roof to roll bar seal has a "Tail" that inserts into the door seal where they meet.This tail channels water down through the door moulding to the drain. If that tail is gone due to wear the water will run down the door and collect on the floor mat.

[HarryD]

I have been struggling with water getting behind the passenger seat every time it rains. After much futzing around, I am convinced it is my deteriorated seal between the Targa top and Targa bar. The darn thing fell apart in my hand!

I am hoping someone has done this job and can give me some tips.

I am thinking I need the seal (Pelican Parts - Product Information: 901-565-091-44-M260), four plastic rivets (Pelican Parts - Product Information: 999-703-186-40-M100) and some weatherstrip glue.

Do I need to replace the door seals at the same time?

Do I need to disassemble the Targa Bar itself or does the seal just fit in?

Any help from someone who has BTDT is appreciated.

[3literpwr]

My '87 leaked and it was the windshield seal. i replaced it with an OEM and no more leaks or whistle on the highway.

[redturbo911]

+1 check the seals

[DRACO A5OG]

Before removal of the old seal, mark where the sealing points are so you can place them back or trim as needed.

In fact post a pic so we can tell if the old seals were mis-aligned in the first place or not.

[964TargaC2]

you dont need to remove the targa bar
Its your call on door seals, just make sure end of targa seal fits into lower portion as it drains water.

I used 3M superweatherstrip (Black) on mine, I would probably go with a Silicone sealer as the 3M tends to harden after a while

[DRACO A5OG]

Mercedes offers a very good non-hardening sealant as well.

[HarryD]

964TargaC2:

Thanks. I figured as much but wanted to be sure.

My door seals look pretty sad so I figure as long as I am doing seals, might as well do them too.

DRAGO A5OG:

The seals worked for a long time (got car in 2002) and a while back I decided to seal the gap between the window and the corner of the rear seal with a bit of foam weatherstrip to stop an annoying wind noise. I must of torn the seal as this is when my problem started. As far as I can tell, the seal dates back to the 80's.

Until I do the full fix, I have been using some adhesive and RTV to make temporary repairs. I think I have 95% of the leak under control. It is tedious since I repair a leaking point, allow sealants to dry for 24 hours, Test again, find next leak, wait for water to dry, lather rinse repeat.

[Charlie V]

I find the targa top windshield seal meeting the door seal to be a problem spot.