Possible birdcage leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 4
Possible birdcage leak
In prepping my vette for daily driver status, the rain leaks that have been ignored all these past 20 years are in need of addressing (ignored em since until now the car goes out one-two times a month in nice weather and sits in the garage the rest of the time).
I've noticed two leaks when in the rain, one leak ha water dropping from the upper windshield interior trim and the other underneath the dash on the driver's side.
My speculation: I removed the upper windshield trim piece and while there is a little rust on the surface it seems to be intact (to my untrained eye), the windshield has been replaced before and may/may not have been sealed properly, weatherstrips are a bit aged, side a/c vents are not functional and stuck open.
Before our ownership the car lived outside but seeing as it is a florida car and with us its been garaged the past 20 years (and its a 78'=20 years indoors, 16 outside) should hope that birdcage rust shouldnt be a big issue as it might be in a car that's been parked outside all its life.
Lastly I came across a thread where someone put some 4th of july smoke bombs in a can in the interior, shut the door and waited to spot smoke coming out. Thoughts on this method?
I've noticed two leaks when in the rain, one leak ha water dropping from the upper windshield interior trim and the other underneath the dash on the driver's side.
My speculation: I removed the upper windshield trim piece and while there is a little rust on the surface it seems to be intact (to my untrained eye), the windshield has been replaced before and may/may not have been sealed properly, weatherstrips are a bit aged, side a/c vents are not functional and stuck open.
Before our ownership the car lived outside but seeing as it is a florida car and with us its been garaged the past 20 years (and its a 78'=20 years indoors, 16 outside) should hope that birdcage rust shouldnt be a big issue as it might be in a car that's been parked outside all its life.
Lastly I came across a thread where someone put some 4th of july smoke bombs in a can in the interior, shut the door and waited to spot smoke coming out. Thoughts on this method?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
Some shops have a smoke machine that is used to test vacuum leaks - maybe that is a better solution?
Mine had a pretty bad leak and it turned out the seal along the sides of the front window was pretty much not even making contact anymore, although mine was original I think. Mine did not look that bad with the window in but once it was pulled things were revealed to be a little bit worse than originally thought.
From the inside, it didn't look too bad
This side revealed some signs but still nothing too serious.
Last edited by fleming23; Nov 13, 2013 at 09:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 608
From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
C3 of Year Winner (track prepared) 2019
It was bad enough that it poured water all around the driver-side and pretty bad through the top as well in both the rain and washing.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Check to ensure the windshield header leak is not the weatherstripping on the t-top. Mine was.
Seal the wiper trough (I used 3M automotive undercoating from the rattle can) and you may get rid of the drip under the dash.
Seal the wiper trough (I used 3M automotive undercoating from the rattle can) and you may get rid of the drip under the dash.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 153
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Id thought of doing that after watching one of those flex seal tv commercials but I'd be more prone trust the undercoating over some tv stuff
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
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From: Vero Beach FL
When I sealed my wiper tray I used a body seam sealer from Eastwood to seal the joints applied with a brush. Then spray coated the entire tray with 3M (rubber) sealer. It looks great and is water tight.