unfixable water leak ?...
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
unfixable water leak ?...
I have battled a water leak since I bought my 79 over a year ago, I ended up having to remove the carpet. I have replaced all the weatherstrippping around the door (helped). Now the water is coming from above the fresh air vents on both the passengar and driver floor boards, I am looking to buy a seal that goes around the drain for the wiper bay, but someone also mentioned an inner fender seal ? it seems that water enters the cabin the most when i spray in the wiper drain area. the car sat in an enclosed shed for the past idk... 20-25 years and during that period of time NEVER saw ran, so nothing should be rusting away (windshield seal/post)
any help would be amazing, id really love to continue with my project, but I need to fix this problem first.
any help would be amazing, id really love to continue with my project, but I need to fix this problem first.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
RE: Water leaks, wiper bay
I am doing battle with the same leaks. My car is a 70, the wiper bay area may be similar... Upon recommendation of a local Corvette shop I chisled out the hardened undercoating from the wiper bay. Found a few cracked seams and bonding areas where the cowl is glued to the birdcage which had opened slightly. Also found some rivets which had loosened. I used body seam sealer on the cracked seams. Put a generous blob of RTV over the rivets extending out about 1/4" around the rivet heads. Also applied RTV around a plate in the wiper bay, appears to be a reinforcement for the pedal hanger? This took care of just about all leaks from the wiper bay. Only one left was around the fresh air intakes, got a slight dribble coming out of the tube which connects to the vent on the dash. Also put some RTV over the cowl/birdcage bonding area.
In general I took a close look at every joint, rivet, and seam, applied a sealer if there was any doubt.
I plan to apply new undercoating to the wiper bay once I am satisfied all leaks are fixed. Deaden noise and provide an extra layer of seal.
In general I took a close look at every joint, rivet, and seam, applied a sealer if there was any doubt.
I plan to apply new undercoating to the wiper bay once I am satisfied all leaks are fixed. Deaden noise and provide an extra layer of seal.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick GA
I have been having the same issue since I bought my Vette about a year ago. I have replaced with undercoating in the wiper bay and replaced a lot of weatherstripping. It fixed the issue on the driver's side but the passenger side is still leaking just as bad as it did when I first bought the car.
For now, I have given up and have come to accept the fact that pretty much every c3 leaks to some degree. I just park my car in the garage now if I ever feel that it might rain.
For now, I have given up and have come to accept the fact that pretty much every c3 leaks to some degree. I just park my car in the garage now if I ever feel that it might rain.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your leaks are likely coming in at the windshield and molding seals. You can try to run water in at specific areas around the window by [artificially] sealing off most of the joints and letting water in at a specific site. Move that 'open' area around and you will locate where it is coming in. Don't be surprised if it is 'open' most of the way around. 40 years is a long time for seals to last.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I have been having the same issue since I bought my Vette about a year ago. I have replaced with undercoating in the wiper bay and replaced a lot of weatherstripping. It fixed the issue on the driver's side but the passenger side is still leaking just as bad as it did when I first bought the car.
For now, I have given up and have come to accept the fact that pretty much every c3 leaks to some degree. I just park my car in the garage now if I ever feel that it might rain.
For now, I have given up and have come to accept the fact that pretty much every c3 leaks to some degree. I just park my car in the garage now if I ever feel that it might rain.
Have you removed the moldings and taken a look at the windshield frame? Top corners, bottom corners, and header are common areas for rust holes.
Are the fenders draining?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,359
Likes: 15
From: Confusion
Where the t-top "T" piece meets the windshield trim piece, that is the gap you want to fill. I removed all trim and filled the whole windshield frame top with GOOP, but it was available at the time in a caulk tube, not anymore. Water is getting in there and running down the sides. Also consult the AIM for all sealing places
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Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
