Roof leaks - Cannot find

[JohnnyC]

I'm at a real loss as to where rain/water is leaking in. The water drips in right at the rear view mirror. It also drips right from the driver side sunvisor. I'll make a right turn and water will come pouring out of there all over my arm and leg.

Now... I have caulked the heck out of the roof. I put black exterior silicone caulk all between the windsheild weather stripping and frame, I also caulked up the roof panel itself, AND once the panel is installed, i caulked up the seem between the roof panel and windsheild frame.

The water still leaks! I have replacement weatherstipping i have yet to install. I'm sure many have this problem. But i'm at a real loss where else water can be getting in. How do I find this leak?

 

[Paul Higg]

Well, there's a couple of tricks I used to use on airplanes. No kidding.

One involves smoke. If you smoke cigarettes or cigars sit in the car and light a few or even several incense sticks (I wouldn't recommend sitting in the car with several incense sticks however.) Let the car really fill up with smoke, then have someone or yourself if there's someone else that smokes in the car, go outside and sniff around and see if you can locate where the smoke is coming out.

OR, place some plastic drop cloth and whole bunch of towels where the water would leak and get some food coloring and put it in a watering can and with you in the car have someone pour it where you think it is leaking.

 

[Rabbit]

You might try closing up the car & putting the heater-a/c fan on high & then slowly pour some water around the suspected area & see if it bubbles from the higher pressure in the cab???:confused

 

[Red Vette]

I had thought of the food color trick also, but use different colors for different areas where you apply the water. Just because it leaks at the rear view mirror doesn't mean that the leak originates above the mirror, could be running inside a channel and flowing out. Hope others have some better suggestions. I know my C1 and C2 verts drove me nuts on finding water leaks. Now for the C4 and C5it is locating the cause of the rattles. Currently I remove my hearing aid and that helps.
Barrett

 

[Paul Higg]

Well, using smoke with a pressure filled cabin ALWAYS worked on airplanes. As for rattles, use the tool dip. Its rubber and it paints right on. Rubber against rubber, no more squeaks or rattles. See my post about the door squeaks with photos.

I think one of your problems may be that you used a lot of sealant and it is uneven against the seal, if you know what I mean. In other words, the sealant isn't making 100% contact against the seal. The best repair would be to replace all the seals up there.

Good luck and keep us informed. I for one like to see how people resolved a problem.

 

[JohnnyC]

Thanks all. I'm not sure about the smoke idea (i dont smoke). But certainly turning on the AC and air full blast and look for bubbles might be my first trick. I'm really at a loss. Thought i had it figured out, but it's far worse than it used to be. Well, now that its warm outside, i can do these things. I have new weatherstripping, just have to install.

Oh, and the rattles and squeaks!!! argh! One daring weekend, i'm going to have to take apart my whole dash to tighten these things down. Lots of rattles and loose sounds. Really annoying!

 

[JohnnyC]

I replaced the weatherstripping, and still leaks... more! I went back and re-glued the parts that looked loose, ie, did not attach to the front part of the windshield. It must be the seal between weatherstrip and windshield. It really looks tight and good for the roof panel to the weatherstripping.

I might have to just re-glue the entire top again. It hasn't rained in a few days, so hopefully the next time i'll see how well i did. I'll have to remove the trim above the visors and mirror again to see where it actually leaks.

I'll have to try the smoke thing. Or maybe use water w/ AC on and check for bubbles. This is really frustrating.

 

[jgr91vette]

roof frame


hi johnnyC i had the same problem with my vette when i just bought it. it used to leak a lot, i change my weatherstrip and still the leaking, then i re-glued the windshield to its frame, and still then i reallize that the roof frame was separating from the roof, i had to repair it with fiberglass. my problem has been almost solved. now when it rains really bad it just leaks a little drop once a while but its cause my weatherstriping its aftermarket. jaja thats because here in mexico i cant find the original ones that sucks. but they look fine works great and they were alot cheaper than originals.
i hope this could help you.