Corvette Central $24.00
Not Sure If This Is Normal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 323
Likes: 14
From: Central KY
Not Sure If This Is Normal
I have a 2000 FRC and while I was at work today, it started raining pretty hard. When I got off and opened my door, I saw a little water in the door sill. It doesn't appear to be inside the vehicle anywhere else. It's the same situation in the trunk. It's around the sills but not insdie the trunk. Is this normal?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 323
Likes: 14
From: Central KY
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I don't drive mine in the rain but when I wash the car it gets water in the same areas as your pics, I would say it's normal... I don't remember a seal being on mine in the trunk area like the one pictured on the convertible but I will look next time I'm in the garage
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
8VETTE7's response on the trunk is correct. On both the FRC and convertible there are rubber seals similar to the side under hood fender seals that should be in place there (both the FRC and convertible use the same style rear tub). The fastback targa does not need these seals because water drains up towards the leading edge of the targa specific tub where it meets the B pillar.
In your photographs it appears that you are missing the side seals, which would probably alleviate some of the water appearing on the underside of the trunk shell.
Water does tend to accumulate along the door sill. I see similar after I wash or during a stint in the rain (C5s don't melt in rain...). It likely travels downward from the top edge of the door jam; remember that these cars have a rather wide protrusion of the side body not like common passenger cars. As that whole area is an SMC molded piece the water isn't likely to damage anything other than having to perform some extra detail work when cleaning.
In your photographs it appears that you are missing the side seals, which would probably alleviate some of the water appearing on the underside of the trunk shell.
Water does tend to accumulate along the door sill. I see similar after I wash or during a stint in the rain (C5s don't melt in rain...). It likely travels downward from the top edge of the door jam; remember that these cars have a rather wide protrusion of the side body not like common passenger cars. As that whole area is an SMC molded piece the water isn't likely to damage anything other than having to perform some extra detail work when cleaning.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
You are missing nothing, your trunk seal is identical to mine. I have owned my car since new and its identical to yours. Our cars do not have side seals in the trunk, only the hood has them. Don't worry you're fine, and no different than any other FRC.
Last edited by Bill Vett; Mar 24, 2016 at 09:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
there are water drains in the truck hatch area, and if you note there is a little drainage notch, in the door sill. water will drain into the door sill and exit via that notch.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
Last edited by Forcedvert; Mar 24, 2016 at 10:07 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,107
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
On my coupe the water gets into the door sill area like in your pic. It does not get into the passenger compartment though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 57
From: Kensington MD
Bah, your door sill water is nothing. My driveway is on a slightly sideways incline and I get a small puddle on the sill there. I think the water rolls down the door skin and under the edge there, ending up on the sill.