and dry as a bone. As has been stated here maintenance is the key.
Leaking Convertables
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
Leaking Convertables
I am looking for my next perfect Corvette. In doing so I have heard that convertibles leak. For those of you that have had a C5 convertible, is it common for them to leak?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge.
Popular Reply
Oct 30, 2023, 07:21 AM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
It mostly comes down to how good the seals and roof are and how aligned the windows are.
Most leaks are at the windows and roof. The window get play and does not seal properly. Also the gaskets get dry if you do not treat them.
Also damage to the roof can cause leaks be it a hole or even a geeked frame on the roof.
Roof need treated about once a year to keep the cloth in shape and should always be store up and never lowered wet.
So no it is not normal for a leak if everything is correct but there are things you need to do to keep them correct.
FYI there are no perfect Corvettes or any other car. Given time they all can have an issue some place.
As for the C5 if it is right it is not common to leak. But can they leak yes.
Most leaks are at the windows and roof. The window get play and does not seal properly. Also the gaskets get dry if you do not treat them.
Also damage to the roof can cause leaks be it a hole or even a geeked frame on the roof.
Roof need treated about once a year to keep the cloth in shape and should always be store up and never lowered wet.
So no it is not normal for a leak if everything is correct but there are things you need to do to keep them correct.
FYI there are no perfect Corvettes or any other car. Given time they all can have an issue some place.
As for the C5 if it is right it is not common to leak. But can they leak yes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
It mostly comes down to how good the seals and roof are and how aligned the windows are.
Most leaks are at the windows and roof. The window get play and does not seal properly. Also the gaskets get dry if you do not treat them.
Also damage to the roof can cause leaks be it a hole or even a geeked frame on the roof.
Roof need treated about once a year to keep the cloth in shape and should always be store up and never lowered wet.
So no it is not normal for a leak if everything is correct but there are things you need to do to keep them correct.
FYI there are no perfect Corvettes or any other car. Given time they all can have an issue some place.
As for the C5 if it is right it is not common to leak. But can they leak yes.
Most leaks are at the windows and roof. The window get play and does not seal properly. Also the gaskets get dry if you do not treat them.
Also damage to the roof can cause leaks be it a hole or even a geeked frame on the roof.
Roof need treated about once a year to keep the cloth in shape and should always be store up and never lowered wet.
So no it is not normal for a leak if everything is correct but there are things you need to do to keep them correct.
FYI there are no perfect Corvettes or any other car. Given time they all can have an issue some place.
As for the C5 if it is right it is not common to leak. But can they leak yes.
Last edited by hyperv6; Oct 30, 2023 at 08:07 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
The only leak I have had in my Vert over the 7 years of ownership is the rear window becoming partially detached. As others have noted, treat all the rubber moldings with appropriate lubricant. I use dielectric grease.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,117
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
If I wash my 03 convertible and the hose is directed at the sides windows, I'll get a tiny amount on the inside glass and door sill ( Both my last C5 a 2003 Coupe ) did the same thing. But overall the convertible tops don't leak much at all. And I believe the convertible top are very sound proof to a great extent. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
Agree with killain. One thing that I think helps is: When I park my car in the garage, I release the latch partially on the passenger side, and totally on my side. That way, the weatherstripping isn't always compressed, and if I do forget to latch the top (hasn’t happened yet!), the partially released latch will hold it until I can pull over and latch completely. Works for me....
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 621
Likes: 596
From: Ohio
Mine was parked with the top latched and the windows up for years in a temperature controlled building and it is tight as a drum. Cant say that is the solution or if I got lucky but that is my experience.
When I bought it and detailed it I made sure to treat all the rubber with regards to the top.
When I bought it and detailed it I made sure to treat all the rubber with regards to the top.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 1,675
From: North Coast
Mine is a new top and most of the gaskets are new. The windows also were adjusted properly.
The greatest leak is that the windows are not adjusted on the seals. Often a simple adjustment fixes that.
The greatest leak is that the windows are not adjusted on the seals. Often a simple adjustment fixes that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 443
From: Texas Where God intended me to be.
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '11,'22 thru '26
Only when it rains and since Corvettes melt in the rain you will never drive it in the rain.
Seriously though. When I picked mine up last year I drove it home in a big storm. Driving rain and absolutely no water of any kind in the car. If the wearther striping / seals are good there is no need to worry.
Seriously though. When I picked mine up last year I drove it home in a big storm. Driving rain and absolutely no water of any kind in the car. If the wearther striping / seals are good there is no need to worry.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,680
Likes: 1,040
This Vette has 20 years and dose not leak water.. Never has. It lives in the Pacific Northwest, where it occasionally dose rain. It continues to commute every year to Palm Springs... The top is dry and tight as a drum... Of course I take care of it. Snooze and you loose.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 55
Likes: 10
From: Florida
I STILL have a leak at the top where the A-pillar meets the top. There's a small space between the window glass and the seals where the water comes in.
What further adjustment can I make?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,861
Likes: 4,663
I have a 2000 Vert. Original top and weatherstripping. Yes, once in a great while when caught in a downpour, it drips a bit from the top, in the middle of the window. Maybe 1 drip per mile. It is almost 24 years old, after all. One thing that may help you out is I always store my car with the top up, with only one side partially latched. My feeling is this doesn't compress the weatherstripping so much. That and using dielectric/silicone grease on the rubber. FWIW....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 226
From: Roanoke Indiana
I have a 2000 Vert. Original top and weatherstripping. Yes, once in a great while when caught in a downpour, it drips a bit from the top, in the middle of the window. Maybe 1 drip per mile. It is almost 24 years old, after all. One thing that may help you out is I always store my car with the top up, with only one side partially latched. My feeling is this doesn't compress the weatherstripping so much. That and using dielectric/silicone grease on the rubber. FWIW....
but with no water coming I drove out of the rain.