89 Hardtop sold! Picked up an 89 Iroc vert! Wish I could have both, but no room or $. I'm a little worried now... I always wanted a vert and now that I have one I found some gaps around the underside of my top. I'm afraid to wash it. Sorry no pics yet... is this common when you become a vert owner??

The top looks new from what I can see... Should I just go ahead and wet it to see where it leaks?

Any other helpful tips would be great. Its a beautiful car and I was very anxious to drive it home!!!

 

Gaps where? Convertibles always have gaps somewhere, some places dont matter.

 

Pretty much all convertibles leak. My wife has a 2002 Mustang convertible and even though there are no obvious gaps, it does leak in the car wash. I think the real problem is that the 3rd gen was never really meant or designed to be a convertible. Just be mindful and careful when you wash and you won't have problems.

 

is your weatherstripping worn or missing?
heres a exploded view.

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/co...ofirebird.aspx

 

since you know there is gaps handwash it to find out where they are and then remedy the leaks as needed more than likely the weatherstripping will need replaced or at the very least shifted to cover the gaps. also check to make sure the rear of the top frame is being caught tightly with the frame pin (the cotter pin and the hold down).

 

You should be able to run your fingers over all the weatherstripping to make sure it has no obvious "chunks" out of it. If that's OK, then look at the places you find water entering and see if the rubber is just compressed from the years of use (like the A pillers). Sometimes you can fix these things without replacing the weatherstripping, but if it has become dry rotted or there are big gaps, replacement is the only cure.

Hand washing is the only way to go if you care about the paint, so you can keep the hose pressure down and gently spray so that no water is forced through the weatherstripping seals. There is one gap on both sides that will always be there and, unless you do take it through a car wash, will never be a problem. They are above the rear speakers where the tonneau cover seats down and meets the door jam end cap. If you look from the inside of the car, you will always see daylight in these two spots.

Put the top down and have fun!

 

Cool,,,seems like pretty much the leak issue is common. I can relax now and just accept that's apart of owning, IMO, the best looking vert designed car! You pretty much nailed it on the the head tavert91, thanks man.

Pics coming soon!!! weather here in LA has been strange, cold, rainy! She's tucked away sleepin for now!!!!

 

Tucked away!!! man ive been driving mine! I live in venice lol i guess we are just nuts out here