racerx520

iTrader: (1)

hey guys, i know i normally am one of the first people to chime in when it comes to people having questions about t-top seals, but today i need help. not sure if anyone remembers my rust repair which entailed me having to tear apart the roof section of the a-pillar, but since then, my t-tops have been leaking through the center bar. I have put more weather strip adhesive places, found small voids and filled them with RTV, but during last night's thunderstorm, i found a puddle in my center console despite the car being covered (its normally garaged, but when i'm working on projects it has to be moved outside).
looking for any advice or guidance to try and fix this leak. any ideas on where to start looking, i guess i'll have to pull off the seals and try to re-lay them, but should i pull up the t-bar too?

RedLeader289

iTrader: (2)

Do you see any "trail" from exactly where the water was leaking from?

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

I would spend some time with the hose and figure out exactly where the water cones from first. But my bet is it's getting under the front of the bar.

Scorpner

iTrader: (4)

Here is a GM T-Top manual in pdf format:
http://www.kt-s.net/media/T-Top%20Wa...k%20Manual.pdf

Also check the tech articles on the home page:
https://www.thirdgen.org/ttops
https://www.thirdgen.org/ttopleakfix
Another link with info:
http://www.fierottop.com/waterleak/

There's a product mentioned in the manual to help remove the weather stripping. Then I would dry out the t-top bar to make sure it doesn't start to rust. Up to you if you want to go through the effort though.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

i havent located any sorta trail, but i know its coming in from the center of the t-bar, before the rust repair, i'd get it through the t-bar center console sometimes, but it would also leak through the sun visor holes, but thats not happening now.

I agree it must be coming from the front, i think i will use the hose and see if i can get it to leak. but i have a feeling i'll be taking the seals off, and maybe the t-bar

alright, thanks, when i get a chance to sit down, i'll take a look

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

You need to replace the seals and install them properly. Do lots of research here and know what you are getting yourself into, and if they are leaking, expect to find rust when you remove the old seals.

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

i figured i'd add onto this topic rather than start a new one.

today i FINALLY got around to testing for water leaks. I tried my hardest to get the water to leak again, but it wouldnt perform for me. so i figured i'd pull off the seals, then they just started tearing apart....a little tear at first, thought "oh i can still save it" then another tear and i figured screw it.

so now the car has no seals, and is back in the garage, i'll order up some new ones later this week from hawks (lowest price i could find) and i am wondering if you guys have any suggestions for me when the time comes to put the seals back on? i already lined the weather strip channel with some RTV to hopefully ensure any spots that are leaking are sealed.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Since you have the seals off have you pulled the bar again? Might see some leak evidence.
I think that's where it was leaking anyway. IMHO I have found that it is rarely the seals that leak unless the hatches are adjusted too loose. It's usually water getting under the t bar. Once it's under there it goes right under the seals. Make sure you have the ends well sealed with goop and there are no pinholes in the seam of the pieces that make up the bar.
With my 85 I went another step and flushed the surface of the body where the ttop bar sits.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Here's before paint

racerx520

iTrader: (1)

I only have the seals off, i didnt take the t-bar off. I suppose i could get that off too, wouldnt be difficult now, and i would think that the water would be coming from the t-bar area too, but when i fit the old seals back on here, there was a small gap where the seal turned between the t-bar and the a-pillar roof so i figured it was coming from there, i stuffed it with RTV and it leaked again. what kind of evidence would i be looking for of water leaks if i pull off the t-bar? it only leaked through there a total of 4 times