Leaky Targa

[semprini27]

I have one (just one !!) leak on my 1988 Taga. It's at the top of the drivers' window where it meets the 1/4light. Tiny little gap that the water can pour through if the wind's at the wrong angle.

Result ?

Rear footwell behind the drivers' seat gets flooded every now and then.

Any ideas for a quick fix ?

 

[bones]

There isn't a quick fix that is cosmetically suitable but if you don't mind a little unsightlyness there temporarily get hold of some thick non-porous rubber the type used in hoses etc and cut a piece to shape with a sharp craft knife and glue it onto the damaged roof rubber it's usually the rubber on the Targa roof that is the offending part, if it's the window rubber , really the only solution is to replace it.

 

[Guest]

How big is the gap?

When I had my Targa I used to regularly rub Vaseline into the rubbers and if there was a small gap the Vaseline would actually fill that and stay in place for some time - this pretty much eliminated any problems. Also, if the rubber is a little dry this will moisturise it and cause it to expand a little.

Before you do that, though, I would suggest taking a good look at the roof and see if you can find any adjustment that might help - loosening the side rubbers and pushing them in the appropriate direction prior to re-tightening them can help.

I have to say that there is nothing at all technical about a Targa roof - it's a rather unintelligent piece of kit and requires rather unintelligent measures to get it right so don't be scared of it! God only knows why Porsche never tried to improve it in the 20 odd years it was made.

 

[sdkenny]

It is unclear from your post as to what is causing the problem. One issue you can have with the roof is if the window and quarterlight are not properly aligned. The quarterlight and window are height adjustable. Other problems can occur, as others have stated, if the seals are not adjusted correctly, the side ones on the targa roof can be adjusted by backing off the screws in them.

If you post more details then people may be able to give you some more advice.

Steven

 

[semprini27]

Thanks chaps.

The leak is happening where the side of the roof meets the seal around the door / quarterlight.

Sounds like undoing the side rubber on the roof and repositioning it may help.

Here's a picture of the offending gap.

Jeremy.

 

[Guest]

Hi Jeremy,

I have a leak in exactly the same place, even after I have replaced the side seals and had the 1/4 light alignment corrected (this cost me a small fortune!)

I have come to the conclusion that this is just a poor design issue. Water pours onto the top metal rail of the 1/4 light and then drips in between the seal, usually onto my trousers!

My cure is the vaseline method that Iain describes. I treated myself to my own tub that I now keep in the car (couldn't hide the black marks that I left in my wife's pot of vaseline!) and apply about once a week. This certainly seems to do the trick although I wish there was a better, more permanent solution.

I'd also love to hear if anyone else has solved this.....

 

[bones]

On a few cars I've seen there is some slight damage to the Targa roof rubber seal at this point a carefully cut piece of rubber glued in there works, it takes a bit of skill with a knife to produce a good cosmetic finish. If the seals are in good condition then applying vaseline on a hot day will plump them up as mentioned previously. If that doesn't work the roof is probbaly not sitting low enough or the door is too low, we're talking mms here so a good fit is critical. look at the passenger side if that is ok and see if you can get clues from there. It's no help to you I know but my roof hasn't leaked since I fixed it back in the mid eighties, persevere they can be leak free.