Leaking C3 Question
Thread Starter
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Leaking C3 Question
So I have used the hose test, and figred out what area on my C3 leaks. I have always had water dripping down onto my brake pedal from above. The strange thing is when I aply water directly into the fender from the wiper bay, no water enters the interior.
this is the area, if water is applied, leaks into the cabin.
Here is the pic of the leaking (its a little more than normal because it never really rains that hard).
So my first thought is that I have rusty birdcage in that corner...which would be worst case senario. The thing is that I have seen that part of the car on the passenger side, and it looks perfect...
Could it be weatherstirpping sealing problems?
Any help would be appreciated!
this is the area, if water is applied, leaks into the cabin.
Here is the pic of the leaking (its a little more than normal because it never really rains that hard).
So my first thought is that I have rusty birdcage in that corner...which would be worst case senario. The thing is that I have seen that part of the car on the passenger side, and it looks perfect...
Could it be weatherstirpping sealing problems?
Any help would be appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Unfortunately not. No weatherstripping in that area, but there is supposed to be a rubber filler between the backside of the fender and the base of the windshield.
You might be able to seal the area with clear silicon.
Good luck.
You might be able to seal the area with clear silicon.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
Can you get a mirror under there to see where the water is coming from?
If you're pouring water down the windshield at the left corner, it may be possible water is
getting under the area where the top edge of the firewall is bonded to the birdcage. This seems to be a common rust area. Water would get into the birdcage and travel down.
Appears the car is in Texas? Wouldn't expect a rust problem though I saw another post
from Texas which did have rust there.
Could be a joint opened up somewhere or caulking is dried out? A mirror may help to see where it's coming from.
If you're pouring water down the windshield at the left corner, it may be possible water is
getting under the area where the top edge of the firewall is bonded to the birdcage. This seems to be a common rust area. Water would get into the birdcage and travel down.
Appears the car is in Texas? Wouldn't expect a rust problem though I saw another post
from Texas which did have rust there.
Could be a joint opened up somewhere or caulking is dried out? A mirror may help to see where it's coming from.
Thread Starter
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
If you are leaking unto the brake pedal, chances are the leak is coming from here. Very common.
The area you pictured usually hase water ending up behind the kick panel at the body mounting bolts.
You may have both. You arent seeing anything at the corners of the birdcage because it is a double wall there.
The area you pictured usually hase water ending up behind the kick panel at the body mounting bolts.
You may have both. You arent seeing anything at the corners of the birdcage because it is a double wall there.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 17
From: Fl
There is also a small bonding strip that is pop-riveted to the cowl area under the upper part of the fender (directly below the blue registration sticker).
The surround is bonded to this as well as the upper fender area.
They always rust out - and water enters from this area. It is not accessible to water poured into the wiper/cowl area, but will get drenched when water flows down the windshield, specially by the outer reveal chrome.
Only way to correctly fix is to remove the surround, because it is NOT accessible any other way.
You may be able to divert the water flow by filling in with caulk like EasyMike said. Don't use silicone products, they are acid based and will make more rust for you.
Hope this helps some.
The surround is bonded to this as well as the upper fender area.
They always rust out - and water enters from this area. It is not accessible to water poured into the wiper/cowl area, but will get drenched when water flows down the windshield, specially by the outer reveal chrome.
Only way to correctly fix is to remove the surround, because it is NOT accessible any other way.
You may be able to divert the water flow by filling in with caulk like EasyMike said. Don't use silicone products, they are acid based and will make more rust for you.
Hope this helps some.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Here are a couple of pics of the other problem area. Leaks from this area show up behind the kick panels. The crack is open from the factory.
To see this you must at least remove the rubber diverter mentioned above.
The crack is horizontal and allows water to get between the cowl steel and the fiberglass and over time it will rust. To prevent this you can prep the area and seal the crack without removing the fenders or mount.
This doesn't fix any existing rust, but can stop it's progression to an extent and stop existing leaks. the car in this photo didn't show signs of rust around the mount.
I usually leave the rubber diverter off when reinstalling the windscreen.
To see this you must at least remove the rubber diverter mentioned above.
The crack is horizontal and allows water to get between the cowl steel and the fiberglass and over time it will rust. To prevent this you can prep the area and seal the crack without removing the fenders or mount.
This doesn't fix any existing rust, but can stop it's progression to an extent and stop existing leaks. the car in this photo didn't show signs of rust around the mount.
I usually leave the rubber diverter off when reinstalling the windscreen.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I've had my dash out at least three times now. Can't say I've ever really enjoyed it... I'm in the process of removing it all again, preparing to deal with similar issues as you are about to. At least it seems to get easier each time as I get better at it and fix a few more items each time. 