Leaky T-tops - the epidemic.

[es.biggs]

OK guys, there are tons of threads on here about leaky t-tops, I know. But I wanted to do a poll to see exactly how many people suffer from leaky-t-top-itis. Is it just a few Zs or is it most of them? Is anybody lucky enough to have remedied the horrible problem? If so, go ahead and post up what you did whether it's new weatherstripping or some Sil-glyde from NAPA, or even if the petroleum jelly trick worked for you. Some people might have even tried to use RTV/silicone to fill in the leaky spots, which sounds like a great but difficult alternative to replacing the expensive weatherstripping.

I wanna hear YOUR experiences with leaky T-tops and what you have done to try to fix them. Lets find out what works and what doesn't.

Obviously the most effective solution would be to replace the weatherstripping, but that is hard for me to afford at the moment. I'm curious, is there any way around it?

My Z leaks in heavy rain and whenever I was it with the pressure washer. It might drip a few times in moderate rain, but it gets my seat soaked when it's raining hard. There is a piece of leather trim around the handle/lever on the t-top - this piece is a little bit saggy and it makes a great place for water that has leaked in to pool up. When it leaks, it usually gathers up there and comes pouring out every time I make a right turn. It's no fun....

PS - slicky drivers, gtfo now. k, thx, bye.

[es.biggs]

I applied petroleum jelly to my t-tops last spring after I figured out they leaked, then it didn't rain for a long time. I can't remember if they leaked in the following weeks or not, but I had to park my Z all summer for repairs. Then I got it back out in the fall, and the driver side one is leaking worse then ever. I don't think the passenger side leaks much, if any.

I've heard good things about NAPA's Sil-glyde product, and I think I will try that to see if it makes a difference. I have decided to start saving for the weatherstripping, though, as that is the only permanent solution. Might be the only solution period.

Anyhow, let me know about you guys' experiences!

Thanks,
Ethan

[Chattzx]

Mine leaks whenever it rains period. It is crazy annoying! I believe most of my problem is from the window slider on my driver side door being broken aka the typical play in the window. I really need to get that fixed. My passenger side is perfect though. Nothing worse than getting wet every time it rains.

[SarahLovesHer300zx]

The only place my z leaks is in the window seal in between the forward ttop seal and the sideview mirror.. Almost like the window doesn't seal enough..

[DCaff300ZX]

I guess I'm among the lucky ones, although I did have a small leak for a bit that I found was from dirt around the drain holes that had overspray from my FANTASTICALLY crappy insurance paint job I've been detailing lately.
I was able to clean things up and no more water in the cabin, and the panels always seal tight.

[JDMricist]

Guess I'm lucky, never had a drop of water in the Z. It's times like these that make me glad I paid more for a better condition Z.

[JsickZ32]

I guess I'm among the lucky ones, although I did have a small leak for a bit that I found was from dirt around the drain holes that had overspray from my FANTASTICALLY crappy insurance paint job I've been detailing lately.
I was able to clean things up and no more water in the cabin, and the panels always seal tight.

how do you fix that? i think i have that same problem

[es.biggs]

Mine leaks driver side between the front of the t-top and the weatherstripping that runs up the A pillar. Water runs right down that crack where they meet.

[Ace2cool]

Mine leaks driver side between the front of the t-top and the weatherstripping that runs up the A pillar. Water runs right down that crack where they meet.

[DCaff300ZX]

I guess I'm among the lucky ones, although I did have a small leak for a bit that I found was from dirt around the drain holes that had overspray from my FANTASTICALLY crappy insurance paint job I've been detailing lately.
I was able to clean things up and no more water in the cabin, and the panels always seal tight.

how do you fix that? i think i have that same problem

There's drain holes in the channel near the outer edge of your roof you should see when you remove your t-top, which connect to hoses that take the water from there through your interior to under your car to vent- there could be dirt crusted around the entrance to those holes if you're not anal, and clean that area each time you wash.
Mine had the additional problem of paint over-spray from my wonderful insurance company repair shop, which when I cleaned it all off allowed the water to enter the holes as it should...no more leakee!

[AchilleZ32]

Mine leaks driver side between the front of the t-top and the weatherstripping that runs up the A pillar. Water runs right down that crack where they meet.

However, this only happens in hurricanes.

[Chattzx]

Mine leaks driver side between the front of the t-top and the weatherstripping that runs up the A pillar. Water runs right down that crack where they meet.

If your talking about the area about in the middle of the window that is where mine leaks as well. I'm not sure how to fix it

[AchilleZ32]

You guys with the D-side A pillar leak. Does your window squeek as well? Or is that just me lol.

[Chattzx]

Nope mine squeaks as soon as I roll the window down, annoying as hell.

[AchilleZ32]

Nope mine squeaks as soon as I roll the window down, annoying as hell.

Hahahahaha. I now feel like our cases are connected guys.

[Ace2cool]

Mine squeak when I roll the up. Mainly because I tried petroleum jelly to try and fix the leak.

[es.biggs]

Mine hasn't squeaked since I took the window out to clean the tracks. I lost my tint that day

[Ace2cool]

Mine only squeaks against the weatherstrip itself. And I lost my tint due to window motor replacement. Gouged the hell out of my tint, but didn't scratch the window.

[Oh Em Zee]

No TTop leaks..
SLICKTOP For the win!!

However i have weatherstripping issues just the same...

[sodtoast]

^lucky i tired to use water based clear cocking but it didnt stop the leak

[es.biggs]

I just put a layer of Sil-Glyde from NAPA around all the weatherstripping. Left it on for about a day then wiped it all off. It definitely softened and moisturized the old dry and cracked rubber. Hopefully it helps. If not I'm just gonna have to spend the money, *crossing my fingers*

[marty1mc]

Mine never leaked until I pulled apart the T-Tops to paint and install new trim. My seals are in decent shape as well. I suspect it's just the alignment. But, since the car sits in the garage and I only have the issue with very heavy rain or powerwashing at a carwash, I haven't spent the time to correct it yet. I probably will this winter.

[es.biggs]

The Sil-Glyde helped my leaks. I just washed the car using the pressure, and it was completely dry inside. Woohoo!

[LIBRILZ]

Whatever you guys do don't use petroleum jelly on the seals. Petroleum is oil based and oil dries out rubber.


As for the OP, I have a very slight leak in heavy rain after using a pressure washer one day , the leak it from a very small barely noticeable cut on my weatherstripping.

[sodtoast]

The Sil-Glyde helped my leaks. I just washed the car using the pressure, and it was completely dry inside. Woohoo!

That's awesome did you leave the the t tops off after you put it on

[es.biggs]

I just put a coating on with my finger along the stripping from the a pillar all the way around the inside of the t-top, then I put a layer on the outer weather stripping. I let it sit like that for about 24 hours and then I wiped off the excess. Probably wasn't necessary to let it sit that long, but I had to go to work and I was just too busy and tired to wipe it off til the next day. I rolled the windows up and had the t-tops on while it was sitting with the initial coating

[jedijeff123]

Since when was powerwashing your paint ever a good idea in the first place???

[Z31toZ32]

^ good question. i dont even use soap on mine!

[es.biggs]

Most dealerships including the one I work at use them. Nothing wrong with it if you are smart and keep a distance between the nozzle and the car...if you don't like it write your congressmen!

[fairladyzz]

There is a TSB "technical service bulletin"
That Nissan has to fix the leak it involves some kind of extra seal you stick on the roof lining. If you can get access to motor alldata you can find it there.