C3 Leak Points
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
C3 Leak Points
I've been experiencing some water entry on my 1970 coupe.
Rather than try to have you guys guess where/why my coupe is leaking, I've decided to start a thread regarding your experiences with various leaks and your resolution.
My coupe has 3 points of water entry. These are all when the car is stationary. Obviously, they are worse when driving (yeah...I get caught in the rain too.
)
1. Water dripping down rearview mirror. Likely coming down t-top channel area.
2. Water dripping from passenger side "glove box" area. The carpet is wet and the water appears to come from the center of the passenger dash pad area. I assume this is an issue with the windshield pillar area or firewall where it meets the wiper area.
3. Driver's side pedal pad area. This area gets a few drips and seems similar to the passenger side.
Please post your C3 leaks and what you did to track them down and resolve them.
Thanks in advance
Matt
Rather than try to have you guys guess where/why my coupe is leaking, I've decided to start a thread regarding your experiences with various leaks and your resolution.
My coupe has 3 points of water entry. These are all when the car is stationary. Obviously, they are worse when driving (yeah...I get caught in the rain too.
)1. Water dripping down rearview mirror. Likely coming down t-top channel area.
2. Water dripping from passenger side "glove box" area. The carpet is wet and the water appears to come from the center of the passenger dash pad area. I assume this is an issue with the windshield pillar area or firewall where it meets the wiper area.
3. Driver's side pedal pad area. This area gets a few drips and seems similar to the passenger side.
Please post your C3 leaks and what you did to track them down and resolve them.
Thanks in advance
Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,689
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From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
I had this discussion with someone yesterday about my car that is for sale and didn't have a good answer. Aside from drips on the seats caused by the hose when washing the car, I don't think I've ever had the car in rain harder than a sprinkle.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 718
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville , NC
I have found a few "areas" where leaks occur. My point of reference is my 80 L82
1. Doors - I found that my door drains were clogged, window seals were bad and/or window miss adjusted allowing water to flow inside the window. Additionally there is a water splash guard by the locking latch that if missing can allow water to leak in.
2. Windshield wiper galley - The two drains under the screens on either side of the galley get clogged and water builds up and leaks through the kick panel. I cleaned out and resealed the drains.
3. T-Tops - Either old weather stripping or misadjusted. I just replaced the weather stripping that was in dire need and made sure that I adjusted the T-tops.
hope this helps someone.
1. Doors - I found that my door drains were clogged, window seals were bad and/or window miss adjusted allowing water to flow inside the window. Additionally there is a water splash guard by the locking latch that if missing can allow water to leak in.
2. Windshield wiper galley - The two drains under the screens on either side of the galley get clogged and water builds up and leaks through the kick panel. I cleaned out and resealed the drains.
3. T-Tops - Either old weather stripping or misadjusted. I just replaced the weather stripping that was in dire need and made sure that I adjusted the T-tops.
hope this helps someone.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
I had a leaky gasket under the gas tank filler neck. This allowed water to enter the gas tank. I had to drain the tank and fuel lines, replace the carb and fix the leaky area. This was a thin cork gasket which had eroded over time.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 357
Likes: 3
From: Madisonville Kentucky
I have a 1975 stingray with a leak problem so I too would be interested in the posts on this thread. Mine leaks somewhere on the drivers side......I have not had time to really look into it as we bought the car back in January, but noticed that the carpet on the drivers side was soaking wet after the drive home in the rain and then washing it. Hopefully it is not something major and costly to repair.............we can avoid driving it in the rain, but it will be a real bummer if we can't wash the darn thing for fear of soaking the carpet.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Wiper galley - clean, caulk, repaint black. T-Top area - get black ribbon caulk from NAPA/etc - use on 3 sides of front window just under the stainless - use same black ribbon caulk and form to fit on open spaces on T-top. Do not wash the top of the car with a hose - use a wet terry towel. Also - check for firewall "holes" and plug so water can't get in - check at nite with a flashlight so you can see where even tiny holes admit H2O.
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On the bottom corners of the windshield, check for missing seal. I have found missing srews for these corner seals, or loose screws, or enlarged holes. These seemingly small holes will let tons of water in. The passenger side will seem like water is running in through the heating system.
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From: Madisonville Kentucky
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From: Peekskill NY
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Powassan ON
I've already replaced my T Top WS and it still leaks, upon closer inspection there is 1/8" gap betwen the WS and the mating surface. Any help on adjusting the t roof? I've never done it before.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Peekskill NY
If there are shims under the center spades remove them. By doing this it causes more pressure on the center spades which pushes the weather stripping tighter to the mating surface. Also unscrew the latch bolts a little bit at a time that contact the frame when closing, which also causes more pressure, which pushes the weather stripping tighter to the mating surface.
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From: Madisonville Kentucky
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St. Jude Donor '09
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Oswego New York
The rivets on one side of mine were gone and the metal plate was just stuck to the rubber.