C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Water Leaks

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Old Aug 10, 2001 | 12:53 PM
  #1  
1986vert's Avatar
1986vert
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From: Oro Valley AZ
Default Water Leaks

I have a 1984 that everytime I wash it I get water leaking in by what seams the
front bose speaker just below the grills and onto the sills and then to the carpet. This happens on both sides. I have pulled both door panels and reinstalled the plastic shield and have gone as far as using contact cement to seal it tight around the speaker area and any other areas it might leak and still get water leaks.
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Old Aug 10, 2001 | 01:28 PM
  #2  
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Default Re: Water Leaks (lee.anderson)

Could be your door seals. Mine did the same thing when they were replaced as part of a custom re-paint. Nice paint, crummy seal installation. Check and see if yours are worn.
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Old Aug 10, 2001 | 01:57 PM
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1986vert
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From: Oro Valley AZ
Default Re: Water Leaks (SunCr)

What seals are you talking about ?? Front of door or back ?? Also how would it end up looking like it is coming from the area of the speakers, that is what I can't understand.
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Old Aug 10, 2001 | 05:57 PM
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Default Re: Water Leaks (lee.anderson)

I will tell you where most of your leaks in that area come from. Yes, we all know that the door seals suck. But, the area that most, if not all overlook is the seal under the windshield molding. It was only made to last a couple years. When it dries out water get down behind the molding and eventually into your car. It will leak onto the the speaker grill and the part that I always bang my shin on getting out. If you look on the side of the dash you will see a rubber molding called an inner windlace. Usually you will see rust there from the leak. This also happened allot on C3's and rotted the windshield pillars. What I did to fix the problem was to loosen the windshield molding, squirt some black RTV up under the molding, from end to end, and tighten it back down while wet. Clean up any excess and you'll never know it was there. I did that on my 79 and 86 and it never leaked after that.
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Old Aug 10, 2001 | 11:33 PM
  #5  
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From: San Diego, Ca
Default Re: Water Leaks (RED90SIXLT1)

Agree with the above. Mine didn't leak there, but a crummy install with a new windshield led to a lot of wind noise. Good place to check and repair as outlined. As to the door seals, I'm referring to the lower ones mounted inside the door; not the window seals.
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Old Aug 11, 2001 | 07:16 PM
  #6  
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1986vert
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From: Oro Valley AZ
Default Re: Water Leaks (RED90SIXLT1)

I can't see what windshield moulding you are talking about. I looked at my 84 and on the outside the only moulding is on the side and the top. Am I in the wrong area ???
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Old Aug 12, 2001 | 03:42 PM
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Default Re: Water Leaks (lee.anderson)

For lack of a better description, you work from the inside out. Remove the interior trim along the windshield on the side that you're having the problem. As I remember, you will also need to remove the top. With this out of the way, you will see the bolts, screws or whatever that is holding the exterior trim. Under this is what you need to seal. When reinstalling, keep the exterior trim as flat as possible with the windshield. Otherwise you will get a lot of wind noise.
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Old Aug 12, 2001 | 07:13 PM
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Default Re: Water Leaks (lee.anderson)

Thats exactly what I was referring to. You really don't need to remove them because they will flex enough to get the RTV up under them. I just happened to be repainting mine at the time so they were already off.
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