t-tops keep leaking and i cant take it anymore
11-21-2008 | 09:02 PM
#31
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 371
From: Langley, BC Canada
I ended up putting silicone all around the rubber and felt stuff on each end of the t-top The screws were tearing the seal and leaked the most so I used silicone on them too. I left the t-tops upside down so the silicone pooled properly and dried for two hours. It said tacky after a hour, solid after 12 hrs but i put them back together after two hours. Also you dont really have to take the plastic cover off the tops. The first one made it easier but the second one I didnt, I just shot the silicone in there under the plastic and cleaned it up.
03-18-2009 | 09:29 AM
#35
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7
I've found that the tops on the 4th Gen t-tops have a bit of flexibility in positioning. If I just throw them on and latch them, they're on, but will likely leak with water.
If I carefully nudge them into a snug position with the weather stripping above the side windows, the interior stays bone dry.
It took a couple of tries to find that sweet spot, but I did it and I still have the original weather stripping from '95.
If I carefully nudge them into a snug position with the weather stripping above the side windows, the interior stays bone dry.
It took a couple of tries to find that sweet spot, but I did it and I still have the original weather stripping from '95.
03-23-2009 | 07:30 AM
#36
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 40
From: louisiana
I've found that the tops on the 4th Gen t-tops have a bit of flexibility in positioning. If I just throw them on and latch them, they're on, but will likely leak with water.
If I carefully nudge them into a snug position with the weather stripping above the side windows, the interior stays bone dry.
It took a couple of tries to find that sweet spot, but I did it and I still have the original weather stripping from '95.
If I carefully nudge them into a snug position with the weather stripping above the side windows, the interior stays bone dry.
It took a couple of tries to find that sweet spot, but I did it and I still have the original weather stripping from '95.
Maybe I just didn't have it quite right though. I've got a 96.
04-21-2009 | 09:23 AM
#37
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1
Thanks Oxygen454 for the info. Mine leaks the same way - into the plastic trim area. After a rain I take the tops off to drain them. After I am done working on the house, I'll try what you did. How is everyone else doing with there leak repair?
04-22-2009 | 02:32 PM
#39
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 938
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Im in luck! I finally found where the leak is coming from!!!!! Some how water is getting under the t-top and leaking into the internal plastic covered area where the lock handel sits inside. I opened the ttop and turned it to the side and a whole bunch of water poured out! The seals all around the t-top on the car frame where dry so its filling up inside the t-top and running out along the plastic that meets the inside of the car. 
Now I just have to find out where the its coming from. Maybe the seal is broken from the window to the t-top frame? Sounds like a silicone job for me...
Oxy.
Now I just have to find out where the its coming from. Maybe the seal is broken from the window to the t-top frame? Sounds like a silicone job for me...
Oxy.
I wish you still had the pictures up I'm a little confused about what you did to fix it .
It seams that you did something to the seal on the T-top where it meets the window?
05-02-2009 | 11:34 PM
#40
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 371
From: Langley, BC Canada
Hey,
I found some pictures with out the silicone. Where the blue is, is where I siliconed... basically all around the perimeter of the locking mechanism. The screws were the biggest leaking problem.
Hope this helps, I will try and find the other pictures with the silicone. Let me know if you have any questions.
I found some pictures with out the silicone. Where the blue is, is where I siliconed... basically all around the perimeter of the locking mechanism. The screws were the biggest leaking problem.
Hope this helps, I will try and find the other pictures with the silicone. Let me know if you have any questions.
05-03-2009 | 01:53 PM
#41
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
From: South Carolina
I've come to the sad realization that the GM fbody is a total POS. I guess they are competing with the Ford Fairmont with quality control. You are damn lucky to only have a leak to worry about. I'm jealous...
06-05-2009 | 03:07 PM
#42
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 938
From: West Palm Beach Florida
Thanks Oxygen454
I just took the whole T-top apart and used some 25 year acrylic caulk around the whole thing.
I hope it works I did see some big gaps so it should stop the leak.
When I was looking at the T-top I think the best thing to do would be to use a two part epoxy that comes in a tube its as thick as caulk to seal it up for ever but that stuff is not cheap.
And of course twenty minutes after I got one T-top done and back on the car it started to rain hard like a hurricane but thats Florida for yaw.
I just took the whole T-top apart and used some 25 year acrylic caulk around the whole thing.
I hope it works I did see some big gaps so it should stop the leak.
When I was looking at the T-top I think the best thing to do would be to use a two part epoxy that comes in a tube its as thick as caulk to seal it up for ever but that stuff is not cheap.
And of course twenty minutes after I got one T-top done and back on the car it started to rain hard like a hurricane but thats Florida for yaw.
02-12-2010 | 01:38 PM
#44
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 35
From: Westchester, New York
The f body T Tops have been problematic from day one. When you think its "fixed" a leak will reappear, its just a matter of time. My '99 leaked when it was a week old. I'll still take it over a hardtop anytime.
12-28-2010 | 11:41 PM
#45
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 21
From: Currently in San Diego, CA
Re: t-tops keep leaking and i cant take it anymore
Honestly, I have just stopped trying to fix the T-Top leaks...engine is giving me more issues than the tops are... We just got like eight inches of rain in three days...yeah, just threw a towl down to dry the seats...perhaps when I fix my engine I will worry about the leak 