Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

[phoenixtb]

Hey Guys ,
I'm Having a problem since the Hardtop was put on this year when we get heavy rain the rubber Channel where the hardtop meets the windshiedl post gushes water then stops then gushes water etc... Gushes might be a strong term but you know what I mean. Light rain no problem. I'm guessing there might be drainage channels in the posts that are clogged and when to much water enters the channel it backs up. Does anyone know if their are drainage holes in the window posts and if anyone has ever unclogged them. This is just a theory if anyone has had this problem I'd appreciate any help in fixing it. Its bumming me out! I appreciate any and all theorys. We love the Bird Hate sitting in wet seats!!!

[BirdWings]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

Phillip, here is a thread that might help you.

http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21956&highlight=Hard+top+leak

[phoenixtb]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

Thanks birdwing have this article already but I dont think its from the bolts its the little junction of rub ber gasket connecting the top to the windsdhield someone had posted there was a small gasket fix from ford anyone use this with any sucess? someone else said tape but what kind of tape inside or outside gasket if its outside wont it look bad? If i seal it with silicon wont it mess up the rubber when I remove the hardtop? I'm really stumped here

[DavidA]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

This may not solve your problem, but it is important .. after changing tops, (hardtop to softtop or visa versa), you should re-set your window stops.

It's easy to do as covered on other threads, simply roll the side windows down, continue holding the button for an additional 10 seconds, then run the window up and keep holding the button for 10 seconds.

Remember to do it again when you go back to your original top. This will stop most of the wind noise and insure a good tight water seal.

[Icebluebird]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

You should also check the gaskets at the junction of the header, window, and hardtop. There is a curved gasket that comes up on the windshield pillar that needs to be outside of the upper window hardtop gasket.

This should fix the leak.

[phoenixtb]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

Thadhueisve anks for all the input what I ended up doing was putting a small amt of silicon at the junction of the windshield roof rubber cant trell its there and no more leaks

[FritsB]

Re: Mysterious Gushing Leak Help!

Thadhueisve anks for all the input what I ended up doing was putting a small amt of silicon at the junction of the windshield roof rubber cant trell its there and no more leaks

That is exactly what I did Philip. And it works