Leaking Convertible

DAZ · Oct 12, 2007

I have 2000 GT Covertible. Top appears to be in great shape. Recently have developed leak at the right and left bottom corners of the rear window. The leak
trails into the vinyl hood compartment. Is there any type of adhesive recommended to seal up this type of leak? Does anyone have any links to tech articles to properly repair?

joshjwc9 · Oct 12, 2007

It is time for a new top, mine had the same issue and the seal broke on where the window meets the corners from heavy rain and started puddling in the valley behind the backseat.

I tried some types of sealants but unless your car is garaged when it rains it doesnt help. I just saved up for a top and had it installed.

1992 2.3LX · Oct 12, 2007

you don't have to replace the top.

You just have to replace the window and the curtain.

I don't drive mine much especially in the rain. It leaks but not much so i just keep a towel in the boot well.

Robs96 · Oct 12, 2007

DAZ said:
I have 2000 GT Covertible. Top appears to be in great shape. Recently have developed leak at the right and left bottom corners of the rear window. The leak
trails into the vinyl hood compartment. Is there any type of adhesive recommended to seal up this type of leak? Does anyone have any links to tech articles to properly repair?

Put the top down and by the rear window look down the side into the body area and see if you see a small metal cable, one on each side. This cable should be attached to a stud inside the the top area on one end and attached to the top on the other. These are weak cables and often snap causing the top to not completely seal, when up, and will be most noticeable in the area where the top meets the rear bottom of the window. And also, leakage in a vert is normal. Every once in a while, remove the rear seat cushion and clean the area out to prevent rust. I have a 95 V6 vert and a 96GT vert (just missing a Cobra vert lol) and the tops were very easy to replace if yours is damaged or torn up. I replaced both at a cost of around $700 and about two days worth of time. They typically last around seven to ten years on cars that are not garaged, but taken care of decently.

Seraphitia102 · Oct 12, 2007

how do you know when there is a leak?

1992 2.3LX · Oct 12, 2007

Seraphitia102 said:
how do you know when there is a leak?

water will pool in the boot well

mransr · Oct 12, 2007

you hear a "sloshing" should from the back of the car (because the vinyl well liner has water in it)

I have a cheap, thin black towel in the bottom of my well

DropTopPony · Oct 12, 2007

Rear seal is bad, happened to me too...you could try some clear silicone as a temporary fix.

DAZ · Oct 12, 2007

WOW you guys really responded quickly!!! I just got home from work and found all the responses.
Today I went to local car upholstery shop, which also is the only shop in the area that does this kind of work. The tech there said that one potential casue is that the drain channel beneath the rear window and in front of the trunk seam gets filled with debris. He said it would take about an hour to check at a cost of $68.00.
But if that was not the problem, then they would have to replace window at a cost of $600.00. I'll buy a freaking Hyundai, before that happens.
I am going to check cables as suggested. If that leads nowhere, then I am going to start checking installers out of my area. I would rather do it myself, but I am afraid I would screw it up. ..... have a tendency to turn bolts to hard and slip and brak things (LOL).
If I buy a hole new top, will instructions come with it?

markwsoil · Oct 13, 2007

My top was doing the same thing, to the point where I had a small swimming pool in the rear well. The drain wasn't plugged, it was the window itself. The vinyl where it attaches to the rear of the car had dry rotted and split, causing it to leak. New window eliminated the problem entirely. The price you were quoted is about right, unfortunately.

I've heard that the tops are a bear to replace, because it's hard to get them centered, square, and unwrinkled. I've also heard stories of guys replacing them themselves. YMMV

Mustang225 · Oct 13, 2007

markwsoil said:
My top was doing the same thing, to the point where I had a small swimming pool in the rear well. The drain wasn't plugged, it was the window itself. The vinyl where it attaches to the rear of the car had dry rotted and split, causing it to leak. New window eliminated the problem entirely. The price you were quoted is about right, unfortunately.

I've heard that the tops are a bear to replace, because it's hard to get them centered, square, and unwrinkled. I've also heard stories of guys replacing them themselves. YMMV

Replacing a top is def NOT a DTY job.

steve_stang2003 · Oct 13, 2007

DAZ said:
WOW you guys really responded quickly!!! I just got home from work and found all the responses.
Today I went to local car upholstery shop, which also is the only shop in the area that does this kind of work. The tech there said that one potential casue is that the drain channel beneath the rear window and in front of the trunk seam gets filled with debris. He said it would take about an hour to check at a cost of $68.00.
But if that was not the problem, then they would have to replace window at a cost of $600.00. I'll buy a freaking Hyundai, before that happens.
I am going to check cables as suggested. If that leads nowhere, then I am going to start checking installers out of my area. I would rather do it myself, but I am afraid I would screw it up. ..... have a tendency to turn bolts to hard and slip and brak things (LOL).
If I buy a hole new top, will instructions come with it?

I had the drain clogged problem.
Pull up the rear cushion seat (two hidden tabs you push to release it) and you can see the drains.

It should take about 5 minutes.

BTW that will cause water to collect under the rear seat and in the fenders but NOT in the vinyl part near the rear window.
You will hear sloshing though if it gets bad enough.

Robs96 · Oct 13, 2007

Their not hard to replace at all and I will say from my own experiences that they are quite easy. It is time consuming so if someone was taking on the job themselves I would suggest setting aside a weekend to do it. I'm no pro but I've always worked front to back and never had an issue. I think personally speaking that I had a tougher time replacing fox body tops over the newer style Stangs. For some reason it seems that replacement tops for the fox style get shorted on the material as far as length goes. Again, this has been my experiences.

DAZ · Oct 14, 2007

Robs96 said:
Their not hard to replace at all and I will say from my own experiences that they are quite easy. It is time consuming so if someone was taking on the job themselves I would suggest setting aside a weekend to do it. I'm no pro but I've always worked front to back and never had an issue. I think personally speaking that I had a tougher time replacing fox body tops over the newer style Stangs. For some reason it seems that replacement tops for the fox style get shorted on the material as far as length goes. Again, this has been my experiences.

Can you recommend a reliable vendor? Should I be replacing the entire top and window or just the window section. Do the vendors provide instruction?

Robs96 · Oct 15, 2007

Yes let me look for the info, it's been awhile, and I will post it for you. Mine did not come with instructions. On your top, tell me more about what is going on with the rear window, like, did the window seal with the top give out or or is the material rotted? The tops are sold w/wo rear windows, so, if your glass is intact then you can re use it. It may be easier to repair it than replace it depending on the severity of the leak.

DAZ · Oct 15, 2007

Robs96 said:
Yes let me look for the info, it's been awhile, and I will post it for you. Mine did not come with instructions. On your top, tell me more about what is going on with the rear window, like, did the window seal with the top give out or or is the material rotted? The tops are sold w/wo rear windows, so, if your glass is intact then you can re use it. It may be easier to repair it than replace it depending on the severity of the leak.

There is no rot or deterioration on the hood, inside or out. There is about a 2" length of material that has separated from the stiching on the bottom drivers side and about a 1/2 " on the passangers side. Both beneath the rear glas. The leak is actually comiing in to the far right of both those stiching areas. The leak comes in from the top corners and runs in a V into the boot. I will take a pic of outside and send to pm (I have had very bad luck uploading pics to the sight.

Robs96 · Oct 20, 2007

Never heard back from you. Did you resolve the issue?

Leaking Convertible

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