spyder convertible top leaks [Merged 1-8] leak leaking

[simoniz]

I own a 98 eclipse spyder Gs.Every time it rains,the inside of my car gets wet.The water leaks in between the top of the window and the convertible top.I replaced the top,but no change.
...................PLEASE HELP MY LEAKY PROBLEM.............................

 

[veilz]

all I can say ,it's pretty sad for a 28,000 car...mitsu said it was designed as a convertible...I DON'T THINK SO...the water is comming from under the top , that is why you see a little gap between the roof and the window..what happens is there is suppose to be a seal to keep the water from going and collecting under that section and making the way to the front header thus leaking at the windshield pillar...

any ideas on how to seal up the gap?

 

[redliine]

Hey guys!

Well after my car was in the shop for a few weeks I finally got my new roof, roof frame, and head liner installed (total damage $4,050).

[Somebody had slashed the roof and headliner all the way from the drivers window to the passenger window.. they must have jumped on top of the car and got in thru that way.. the bows were bent up abit (sorry no pics). they got in and stole my head unit, my rather large CD collection, cologne, insurance papers, receipts, (they basically cleaned out my whole glove box).. they got into the trunk and stole my toolbox for work as well ($$$! ) .. ]

Anyways so typical Vancouver weather its been raining out since I got the car back. It drips water like crazy from the 2 corners.. a little frustrating since the roof is brand new.. also the left side near the clamp makes extremely loud and annoying creaks.. like every bump or even less.. it just makes squeeky sounds and all that. The left clamp is alot tighter to put on, than the right side..

Anyways im just going to call pacific auto trim tomorrow and ask them if I just need to adjust the clamps or something? Unless anyone has any quick advice..

Sorry I didnt know what forum to put this in, could have gone in like 3 different ones.

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[ACKERSON]

Take it back to the shop that did the work. A "new" leaky roof is not acceptable when you dish out your hard earned cash.

 

[redliine]

I agree. I mean the old roof that was on before dripped as well (before the vandalism), but not nearly as bad as this. Im gonna call them in half hour when they are open.

 

[BoostedSpyder98]

I know I'm bringing one back from the dead here, but I was searching for tips on stopping the leaks and I came across this thread. The whole procedure for tightening the latches wasn't really answered so I figured it out myself. You have to take the latches out of the top via the two star screws. Once it's out, turn it over and look at the part with the hook on the end. There is a very small T8 screw, back it out. Then you can turn the actual hook part, in to toghten the latch, or out to loosen. I got mine to turn twice but it was pretty tough, one turn may be enough for some. Then just tighten the T8 back down, put the latch in place and you're done. Got rid of a LOT of the creaking/rattling noises in my top. I haven't tested the leakproofing yet, but it's bound to help. Hope this helps other frustrated Spyder owners out there

 

[Eclipsed]

I know I'm bringing one back from the dead here, but I was searching for tips on stopping the leaks and I came across this thread. The whole procedure for tightening the latches wasn't really answered so I figured it out myself. You have to take the latches out of the top via the two star screws. Once it's out, turn it over and look at the part with the hook on the end. There is a very small T8 screw, back it out. Then you can turn the actual hook part, in to toghten the latch, or out to loosen. I got mine to turn twice but it was pretty tough, one turn may be enough for some. Then just tighten the T8 back down, put the latch in place and you're done. Got rid of a LOT of the creaking/rattling noises in my top. I haven't tested the leakproofing yet, but it's bound to help. Hope this helps other frustrated Spyder owners out there

I left my latches on the top and just unscrewed the hex screw and twisted the latch hook. Just open the top half way. Still leaks though.

 

[BoostedSpyder98]

I left my latches on the top and just unscrewed the hex screw and twisted the latch hook. Just open the top half way. Still leaks though.

Have you taken out the little rubber stoppers (look like straws) inside the windshield rubber? Peel back the part that runs down the outside of the A-pillar, they're stuffed inside there, about 2 inches long. That might help too

 

[blackgstspyder]

mine leaks too...i'm gonna have to try all of these thanks everyone

 

[GRNDSM]

Put me down as one of the members of the "leaky Spyder" club . My hooks are as tight as they can go, rubber "looks" fine, but it leaks from the same corners pretty bad if we get anything more than 1/2" of rain...

 

[Digitronical]

i try to fight off the rain but scotchgaurding the entire top every now and again, i tightened the latches down, and bought weather stripping and relined the rails of the frame and blocked one end which at least diverted the water to right behind my front seat instead of on my leg.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

the other day it rained for about 8minutes and i ended up with a completellllyyyyy flooded passenger seat and a slightly wet driver seat...time to replace the rain insulation? i think so...i dont want to replace the whole roof, so could someone point me in the right direction as far as what kind of "weather stripping" to use? or how it would stay stuck in place? or maybe something better than that? i dont now..it leaks only around the windows and barelyyy around he latches up front...any answers would be great!!

 

[wret]

Have you adjusted the tension on the clamps so there is a tight seal? Other than that, re-waterproof your roof. This helps to keep water from seeping in around the edges. Go over the rubber weather stripping with some waterproofer on a rag and of course replace any that is damaged.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

wow...i didnt even know that you could adjust them! ...yea most of the parts that leak are because of the stripping being damaged...is there a certain kind of stripping i should be using? in the mean time, im going to get some waterproofer when i pick up my fuel filter today

 

[wret]

Most of the weather stripping is custom shaped. You'll have to go to a dealer. The stuff over the windows is pretty generic. You can use foam weather strip from Home Depot but stick it on with something more aggressive than the adhesive backing. There are adhesives made specifically for weather stripping. I use Gorilla glue.

The hooks on the clamps may not tighten as much as you need. I unscrewed them and cut a small amount from the threaded ends to allow me to screw them deeper for tighter clamping.

 

[dmorris05]

Yea the tops are notorious for leaking on these models. I had a 98 N/T Spyder and Jake Sweeney paid the Mitsubishi Dealership 3,000 and they still couldnt seal everthing and fix it. Then they told me it needed a new top so i decided it was time to sell it so i could buy my gst.

 

[ck1938]

all I can say ,it's pretty sad for a 28,000 car...mitsu said it was designed as a convertible...I DON'T THINK SO...the water is comming from under the top , that is why you see a little gap between the roof and the window..what happens is there is suppose to be a seal to keep the water from going and collecting under that section and making the way to the front header thus leaking at the windshield pillar...

Yeah, so much for Japanese engineers being design masters. I've replaced my weatherstripping, got it for about $180, and has made little difference. There's a couple spots where I'm going to put some black caulking in place up front which has helped in the past. but the back end below the rear window still fills up with water when it rains, even after caulking around the window.

 

[Defiant]

Yeah, so much for Japanese engineers being design masters.

DSMs are American cars, and you're being dripped on by the proof.
However, thank you for the historical review.

 

[ck1938]

i try to fight off the rain but scotchgaurding the entire top every now and again, i tightened the latches down, and bought weather stripping and relined the rails of the frame and blocked one end which at least diverted the water to right behind my front seat instead of on my leg.

I've used the scothguarding but have had no luck with that. Replaced the rails and it still leaks like a 5 week old cocker spaniel after a bowl of water. I'll try the hinges tonight, if it ever stops raining.

 

[swerv600]

whats up ya'll! I just got 2g back from the shop because the top was leaking like Niagra Falls around the A-pillar and where the top meets te windshield, well that focker still leaks, they replaced all rubbers on it and even replaced the latches. I'm kinda stuck now because they had the car for a damn month. This is the 3rd time they've had the car , but its not leaking like the Falls anymore, but it still leaks. The mechanic that works on the car said if I can find some rubber swelling agent that would do the trick. Can anybody tell me where I can get something like that!

 

[koberm]

cabrio protectant porsche has it.

 

[project15]

^^ what is it, what does it do? my top leaks too.


edit: it's not the fabric that leaks, it's the crack where the top meets the windshield. so that isn't what we're looking for since that's a fabric protectant thing.

 

[wret]

I've found the key to be thorough waterproofing of the top and the rubber pieces. By not letting the water hang around, it doesn't have a chance to find its way in.

 

[swerv600]

Alright heres the deal, after a full inspection with the canvas soaking I felt under the canvas it self and we found that the water soaks right through the canvas and trickles down to the sides where it leaks. I got some of that waterproofing stuff from porsche($16.00/can)and it worked a little bit, but if you let the water sit there for a while it still soaks through. Heres the dilema I called the dealership where I bought the car and they said that they don't warranty the top and they refuse to fix it, so I'm stuck. I took it to a local Mitsu dealer and they said 5000 for a new top . any suggestions

 

[spyder97gs]

Get a top from topsonline.com for $325. Pay $500 to install it. $825.

 

[Trainer7904]

After getting soaked in my new Spyder today during a hard rain, I found a very very simple fix. My car was leaking from the A pillar like most, mostly on the drivers side. I just took an extra piece of rubber vacuum hose i had laying around, it was about 4 or 5 inches long, and cut it in the long way and put it on the top of the window right where the A pillar is at, rolled up the window, and it fixed the leak that easy. I haven't heard anyone doing that on these posts, so I wanted to share that with you and hopefully it helps.