Leaking Convertible
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 681
Likes: 11
From: Carson City MI
I just went through this on the drivers side. No matter how much I adjusted the window in or out, it just did not put enough pressure on the top weather strip to seal it. If the top edge of your window shows, it will leak. I tried every adjustment in the book and finally realized comparing to the passenger side that did not leak, that the weatherstrip had just lost enough of its form that it was never going to seal. I used the Bubba approach and inserted a wooden dowel about 6 inches long up into the WS folds that pushed it out enough to seal over the top edge of the window. No more leaks. I used a permant marker and painted the dowel black and you cannot even see it, but it works.
If it was torn or badly worn, I would have replaced it, but looks fine and those things cost a fortune. I also went a step further on the back edge of the window and inserted a larger dowel and drastically reduced my wind noise at speed. This one is totally engulfed in the WS and you cannot see it.
My .02
If it was torn or badly worn, I would have replaced it, but looks fine and those things cost a fortune. I also went a step further on the back edge of the window and inserted a larger dowel and drastically reduced my wind noise at speed. This one is totally engulfed in the WS and you cannot see it.
My .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
Can you show any pics of what you did? This sounds very interesting! I had taken my vert to a local body shop to have them adjust the windows to stop the leaks. They worked on it for two days. They called Chevrolet, and was told that it is normal for a vert to leak. have the owner carry a towel! So, I have carried a small black towel with me ever since, not knowing it can be fixed...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 2
From: San Diego California
Can you show any pics of what you did? This sounds very interesting! I had taken my vert to a local body shop to have them adjust the windows to stop the leaks. They worked on it for two days. They called Chevrolet, and was told that it is normal for a vert to leak. have the owner carry a towel! So, I have carried a small black towel with me ever since, not knowing it can be fixed...
yes, pics please....us vert guys/gals gotta stick together!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Can you show any pics of what you did? This sounds very interesting! I had taken my vert to a local body shop to have them adjust the windows to stop the leaks. They worked on it for two days. They called Chevrolet, and was told that it is normal for a vert to leak. have the owner carry a towel! So, I have carried a small black towel with me ever since, not knowing it can be fixed...
I cannot believe that Chevrolet would say that leaking is normal. It may be a common problem but I can't believe that it is normal. A dealer just told a friend of mine that a replacement CPM for his car would be 1800.00 if they could find one. He did for less than 200.00. Dealers as a general rule don't know squat.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
I just went through this on the drivers side. No matter how much I adjusted the window in or out, it just did not put enough pressure on the top weather strip to seal it. If the top edge of your window shows, it will leak. I tried every adjustment in the book and finally realized comparing to the passenger side that did not leak, that the weatherstrip had just lost enough of its form that it was never going to seal. I used the Bubba approach and inserted a wooden dowel about 6 inches long up into the WS folds that pushed it out enough to seal over the top edge of the window. No more leaks. I used a permant marker and painted the dowel black and you cannot even see it, but it works.
If it was torn or badly worn, I would have replaced it, but looks fine and those things cost a fortune. I also went a step further on the back edge of the window and inserted a larger dowel and drastically reduced my wind noise at speed. This one is totally engulfed in the WS and you cannot see it.
My .02
If it was torn or badly worn, I would have replaced it, but looks fine and those things cost a fortune. I also went a step further on the back edge of the window and inserted a larger dowel and drastically reduced my wind noise at speed. This one is totally engulfed in the WS and you cannot see it.
My .02
Thanks for the information pictures would be handy if you can post them.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,086
Likes: 0
From: Rockledge Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
National Champs Gators 4 St. Jude '09
You've really got to come through with some pics and the dimensions of the dowel used. I've taken my car to stealership twice. Each time they say they adjusted the top and I will not have any more leaks. You know, my top never leaked again.....until it rained again, same leak, same place.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 681
Likes: 11
From: Carson City MI
You've really got to come through with some pics and the dimensions of the dowel used. I've taken my car to stealership twice. Each time they say they adjusted the top and I will not have any more leaks. You know, my top never leaked again.....until it rained again, same leak, same place.
As you probably know, there is adjustment screws at the bottom of the doors to move the windows in and out. I tried several times, but found there is just too much slop in the window to take that up. I think that over time these weather strips lose their form as the window slams against them.
Pics to follow..
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Nothing is more disheartening than to open your door and find your nice leather seats wet. I will get some pics soon and give you dimensions of the dowels I used. Nice thing is, you don't have to glue them or tape them in. they just stay put in the folds of the WS and expand it to make better contact with the glass. And after I stopped the leaks, It ocurred to me that maybe others over time had lost their shape. I was constantly irritated by the cabin sound of rushing air like I had my windows down. At 70 mph I reached back and pressed the seal at the rear of my drivers window out with just one finger and the noise stopped. I inserted a dowel in that to expand it and all is quiet now.
As you probably know, there is adjustment screws at the bottom of the doors to move the windows in and out. I tried several times, but found there is just too much slop in the window to take that up. I think that over time these weather strips lose their form as the window slams against them.
Pics to follow..
As you probably know, there is adjustment screws at the bottom of the doors to move the windows in and out. I tried several times, but found there is just too much slop in the window to take that up. I think that over time these weather strips lose their form as the window slams against them.
Pics to follow..
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 681
Likes: 11
From: Carson City MI
Good idea. I would think that vacuum hose would also work. I will get the diameter and lengths of the dowels I used and post with pics.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
If I don't get the cover on mine before it rains then I will have a puddle behind the drivers seat. I can not seem to find the leak that is causing it. I have used the cut up credit card method and the bending of the metal support frame, still leaks.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,617
Likes: 2
From: San Diego California
Interesting!