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Convertible Leak- Not the Usual Suspects

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Old Mar 13, 2007 | 04:15 AM
  #1  
racerx45's Avatar
racerx45
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Default Convertible Leak- Not the Usual Suspects

So yesterday something happen to my top and it wouldn’t go down. A quick look and I saw that the bracket that holds the hydraulic ram in place had come loose. Easy fix once the interior was out. I figured since I had it apart I should try and figure out the leak I had. I also thought it would be good to poke around on-line to see what others had run into. So I find this site and dig in.

Symptoms:
Very wet carpet behind front passenger seat after moderate to heavy rain. Some dampness after washing the car. My drive way is slopped and problem occurs with the parked either way (i.e. front higher than back or lower). I have never noticed any damp or wet areas in the front or the drivers side rear.

So searching the post here it seam that this happens either with a top that allows more water in then normal, or a drainage issue. Now out to the drive way to see what I have to deal with.

Well the first thing I find has nothing to do with the top at all. The fake side scoop I had notice was loose so when I check out how to fix that I see that there is an access hole that should have a plastic seal over it, mine has pulled away. This not only give the water running down the side of the car a way in the plastic has pulled way from the top to from a flap that directs the water into the car. This is an easy fix with a bit of silicone adhesive/sealant. The first picture show what it look like (looking at the top from the back) the second picture show the side scoop being pull out easily and the arrow it pointing to the plastic seal.

The next thing I find is after I had my daughter hold the hose on the top so I could look for any other signs of leaking. Well I can see water in all the expected places and it seams to be draining correctly. Then I see what looks like a waterfall around the ¼ window motor. I made sure that my daughter did not let any water run down the ¼ so that the side scoop problem would not affect this test. I look up and sure enough she has the hoe right where I asked her to hole it. I get out of the other side to see where the water is running and it is only running down the back and on the door window. So after a bit of looking around I see that the problem is the rubber seal at top rear of the door opening. In the third picture it shows the drivers side and you can see the seal going all the way up against the ¼ window scraper and the metal trim the goes around the top opening. The passenger side has a large gap. After repeating the test I see that the water runs down the door window then back along the window scraper straight into that seal and the gap. Now I just need to figure out how to fix this problem. It is held into place with a rivet and four snap in retainers.

Any suggestions on how to fix the second problem? Replace the seal and hope for a better fit or try and fill the gap with sealer? Thanks in advance

Steve

[IMG]local://upfiles/63391/80F3FB50E5124AF38BEABB8632BDC3CE.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/63391/ECED07EDCF5249FCBE026A5A93361310.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/63391/B9C3872AD9AE4DAFAAE344E1C8B3FF1B.jpg[/IMG]
Old Mar 13, 2007 | 04:24 AM
  #2  
racerx45's Avatar
racerx45
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Default RE: Convertible Leak- Not the Usual Suspects

The fourth picture won’t upload for some reason? Let’s try again here.

[IMG]local://upfiles/63391/7425784F789C405FB21224DFE92D0923.jpg[/IMG]
Old Mar 20, 2007 | 05:19 PM
  #3  
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undecided.steve
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Default RE: Convertible Leak- Not the Usual Suspects


I'm not sure where the problems with the scoops are because I can't make it out from the pictures 1 and 2?
It almost looks like I am inside the car looking out at the open door?

Anyhow, the second part of your post, talking about the rubber piece, I understand.
FWIW, the rivet unscrews using an allen wrench.
Both sides of my car look exactly the same as yours, with a space between the flap on the door and the rubber riveted thing.
I DO have a problem on the drivers side, where the edge of that plastic trim piece is wearing a hole in the rubber rivet thing, but that's another story.

If you read my leak saga, there is a drain hole right below/behind where the speaker is mounted in the wall.
IOW if you were sitting in the backseat the speaker right next to your legs.
There is a little shelf, right at the edge of the car and that is where the drain hole is.
The problem is two fold.
While there IS a drain hole there, the water doesn't really want to go that way and instead runs down a little trough leading right into the passenger floor pan from which there is no way for it to exit.

Remove the rear seat. There are two clips underneath that you must press in on to release it.
Remove the plastic rocker sill cover, with Mustang written on it. It just pops off.
Remove the rubber rivet thing by popping out the plastic plugs and unscrewing the *rivet*
Pull back the carpet and padding.
Carefully pull back the trim that has the speaker mounted in it so you can peek in there.
You don't have to remove it fully, just pry it back gently.

Then you will be able to see how it is laid out.

FWIW I am pretty certain that water is supposed to enter back there by design.
It is also supposed to drain, by design and that is the problem.

I put silicon in the little trough effectively plugging it up so the water stays in the back.

I also had a leak in several seams where the floor pan meets the frame of the car and the water running through the frame, from front to back, would go right into the passenger side floorpan instead of draining out the rear holes.
See my posts for info.

PM me if you need additionaly info..

I took pics, but my camera sucks at close range.
I can post them anyway if you or anyone would like?

Steve

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