Getting wet in rainstorms.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Getting wet in rainstorms.
Well, I know my ttops leak because water drips in a bit from around the t-bar. And I know that the windows are leaking because it comes in from the rear of the window. (Only a real issue when washing my car.)
But my car leaks from somewhere else and I'm not sure where -- but when it rains, I can see water dripping inside the car in front of the door. If you take off one of the little side panels by your feet that sits by the door, there's a rectangular hole with what I think is a body mount at the bottom. Water is dripping down into that area, then running into the floorboards. How would water get into that area? Would it be from a bad seal on the door? Or would it be getting into there from the windshield wiper area?
But my car leaks from somewhere else and I'm not sure where -- but when it rains, I can see water dripping inside the car in front of the door. If you take off one of the little side panels by your feet that sits by the door, there's a rectangular hole with what I think is a body mount at the bottom. Water is dripping down into that area, then running into the floorboards. How would water get into that area? Would it be from a bad seal on the door? Or would it be getting into there from the windshield wiper area?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (Enkil)
There are probably some archived threads on this, but here are a few things I did.
First, check this seal out... http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corv.../vetteseal.JPG
I had water on the floorboards after rain, so I:
1. vacuumed out the plenums on each side of the cowl area (leaves and junk can make it through the screens and pile up over the years).
2. caulked all of the seams (to wiper motor & such) and any cracks in the cowl area.
3. covered the cowl area with undercoating (don't know if that's the proper coating, but it worked well & looked good to me).
4. caulked the seal shown above.
... and I have had no more leaks. I believe the seal was probably the biggest culprit though.
First, check this seal out... http://users.erols.com/jerryp58/corv.../vetteseal.JPG
I had water on the floorboards after rain, so I:
1. vacuumed out the plenums on each side of the cowl area (leaves and junk can make it through the screens and pile up over the years).
2. caulked all of the seams (to wiper motor & such) and any cracks in the cowl area.
3. covered the cowl area with undercoating (don't know if that's the proper coating, but it worked well & looked good to me).
4. caulked the seal shown above.
... and I have had no more leaks. I believe the seal was probably the biggest culprit though.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (jerryp58)
Had the same thing on my old C3. Tried everything. You may be close to the fix. Behind the kickpanel above the body mount is the door hinge. When I finally discovered this and made the door line up nice the leaks went away. Worth a try.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,660
Likes: 3
From: South Central Louisiana
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (Spankyellow)
Recaulk around the door hinges to stop that leak. T top leak can be remedied as well, just takes time. It will never be tight enough for a touchless wash though. :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (Enkil)
You drive your Vette in the rain???!!!!???!!!!???!!!
:confused: :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused: :eek:
Dep
:confused: :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused: :eek: :confused: :eek:
Dep
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: High Ridge MO
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (Enkil)
C3`s are very bad about rusting out below the windshield . The rust will be almost imposible to see because it is covered by the fender and inner fiberglass structure. I hope this is not the case with your vett , because separating the fenders and welding in new patch panels gets unbelievably time consuming and expensive. search ... birdcage and rust There has been a ton of posts about it.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Getting wet in rainstorms. (79L82hatch)
It may not be that bad. Usually it is right in the corners at the bottom corners or the caulking has come out of the weld access holes. Remove the chrome trim and check all of this and then you will know for sure. A good remedy is to use POR-15 putty and POR-15paint on these areas. The putty will fill a very large rust hole and the paint will stop the rust and prevent further damage.It really works good. Jim
