Hi,

I'm about to replace all of the seals around the targas and the doors too. Before i go gung-ho! (and probably learn some expensive lessons) has anyone done this before, and have you any tips & advice please? (do they mount dry or is sealant used etc?)

 

Thanks

Leonard

Hi, if you want to know about how the targa panels etc.. come appart try the 300zx.org.uk site and it has an on line manual that shows them. They come under the section of 'Body' in the 'tech' section. Don't know about the sealent but would like to find out because i've got to do that job in the summer.

 

johno

Anyone?- what should I avoid or look out for when fitting these? Are they straightforward enough to fit?... and one other question- from your experiences- has anyone replaced the seals and continued to have leaks?

 

L

I have replaced some of my seals, and the leaks got worse, at the moment I have gunked them up with silicone grease, almost a whole tube, I will know if it worked when it rains.

Strangely enough, the big seal that starts down by the door and follows the t-top opening was the easiest to fit. The short straight one that fits on the t-top (the top of the window rests against it) never did seat properly, or maybe I screwed it up, be carefull when attaching the 2 hidden screws for this short rubber, if you have to remove and reinstall it several times there is a good chance that the steel washer under the screw head will tear through the thin rubber under it, be very carefull. If you do rip through the rubber, abandon the screws and set the rubber in silicone sealant, its not going anywhere after all. At least, thats my view.

 

Good luck,

 

John

Thanks John,

I read your previous posts about your sealing problems and I too tried a few of the remedies I saw mentioned, white grease, submerging in nut oil etc but still i got a regular drip from the targa joint at the front outside edge where the door glass sits.

 

I bought a full set of roof and door seals - 6 pieces so I hope that will go a long way to curing it.

 

How many seals did you replace and where was the water coming in on yours?

 

Leonard

Tackling the drivers door first, I bought a new straight rubber seal from Z centre, the one that fits in the T-top. That made the leak 5 times worse. I then got a second hand (but in better condition than mine) long seal, the one that starts on the body and follows the t-top opening. The leaks did not stop. At first I thought water was coming in through the seal (or lack of) at the top of the glass, but now I think otherwise. The leaks start after it has been raining for some period of time, which seems to rule out the top of the glass. I have checked the gutter drains, they are free.

The leaks always show up inside the car at the same spot. If you can imagine yourself in the car, and look up to about 2 o'clock to the upholstered joint (running 90 degrees to the door glass) between the t-top and the body, the drips start about 2 inches from the door edge. I realise that this joint between the top and the body is sort of copnvex radius, and 2 inches happens to be the lowest point, so migration from somewhere else is a possibility.

I would be very interested in how your seals work, please let me know, hopefully of your sucess.

Where did you get your full set of seals from, and how much were they ?

 

Thanks, good luck.

 

John

Leonard,

 

I dont believe it! After dumping loads silicone grease and silicone sealant all over the mating surfaces (the rubber seal and the t-top) and none of it cured the leak, I finally found the source of the leak, and fixed it with a glob of silicone grease. The culprit was where the big rubber seal makes the 90 degree turn into the t-top opening. It was spitting a bit with rain otherwise I would have used silicone sealant, I just pulled the seal up a bit at the corner (right by the drain hole in the t-top gutter) and put a big glob of grease up inside with my finger. Leak fixed!

Now I can clean off all the crap that I have put all around the t-top in the past that did nothing.

 

If I were putting on a new rubber seal like you will be doing, I would put plenty of black silicone sealant at that corner before seating the rubber seal, then attach the screw (its concealed, and points upwards into the door frame.

 

John

Damm, I spoke to soon..........big downpoar and its till leaking, looks like its coming from the joint bewteen the t-top rubber and the door frame rubber, back to the drawing board.......oh dear.

 

John

John- heartache!

 

The leaks were just pi**ing me off and after reading your notes, I contacted courtesy and ordered the full set. The cost was $500 USD, $60 shipping and £70 UK duty/VAT. I know it's a lot (though about half the best UK price)but the car's almost useless if it's constantly damp inside. I will fit in couple of days and hopefully be drier. I'll keep you posted.

I admire your tenacity guys and it does sound like you have a lot of water coming in! but you're unlikely to cure it for good as the whole idea of removable panels is destined to leak a bit. Mine isn't too bad, but needs to be mopped after a heavy downpour.

 

Good luck and if you do cure it, remember to post us all some pictures!

Leonard,

 

Have you installed the seals yet?

 

John

Hi John,

Ifitted them 2 weeks ago and they leaked. I was P'd off. I then spent a bit of time adjusting them on the targa panels, there's a slight fore & aft adjustment, and they were much much better..... though not bone dry! I then bought some "seek & seal" for windscreens etc. It's a clear fluid, comes in a container a bit like 3 in 1 oil. It's supposed to find leaks etc in rubber seals and - seal them.

I'm sure the water was creeping behind the seal in getting in ( capillary action- /I think). It definitely wasnt getting in between the joints at the roof/ targa panels.

 

Anyway- the roof is now sealed!!- I have had the panels on + off a few times since and after a good hosing, followed by 7 hours of rain- no leaks at the roof at all- success!....... well almost!.

Although the roof is dry/sealed, and so are the door openings, I found a drip appearing inside the LH A- pillar/ hinge pillar. I think it is either coming in one of the holes at the bottom of the screen pillar, where the roof seal is studded on, or possibly at the hinge.

As most of the interior is already stripped out, I'm just going to take the dash casing out and find it once and for all. I'll do the heater matrix while it's all out- just as a precaution.

Is there anything else I should think about replacing while the dash is stripped out?

 

So.... almost so far so good. The targa panels now need a fair bit of pressure on them when locking- the old seals were quite compressed. I'll keep you posted

 

L

Thanks Leonard,

 

I will give that "seek and seal" a try. Mines still leaking. I agree with you, I think its the straight rubber seal that fits on the targa thats the cause of most of the problems.

 

Cheers,

 

John

Leonard, I tried the "Seek & Seal" .....seems to work great. Today it pissed it down with rain, and all I got was about a tablespoon full of water inside (I put plastic over the seats when I got to work) I will examine the tops this weekend and apply a little more, I reckon I can just about eliminate all leaks.

 

Thanks for the tip,

 

Cheers,

 

John

Leonard, I tried the "Seek & Seal" .....seems to work great. Today it pissed it down with rain, and all I got was about a tablespoon full of water inside (I put plastic over the seats when I got to work) I will examine the tops this weekend and apply a little more, I reckon I can just about eliminate all leaks.

 

Thanks for the tip,

 

Cheers,

 

John

 

John-

I think the most vulnerable area is about 2" at either end of the short seal above the side window glass.

I reckon that on mine the water was running off the side of the targa panel and onto the seal and seeping down the back of the seal and travelling along the stainless steel channel which holds the seal. Then eventually dripping in at the roof joint. It's a couple of weeks now and there's been plenty rain, it's still dry.

 

Good luck, i hope you get it cured.

L

Where can you buy seek and seal?

Halfords dont sell it, I bought it from a local motor accessory place, its a COMMA product, if thats any help................but the product really works fantastic.

 

 

John

Hi-

I got it in "motor World", I think they're a national chain. If you have trouble getting it, either look up Comma car care on the net and give them a call and ask who stocks it, or give me a shout I'll get some and post it to you

Leonard

Leonard,

 

SUCCESS!!! (I think) It pissed it down in a downpour for about 30 mins, I went out to check the car........AND THE SEATS ARE BONE DRY.

Now I can clean the cloth seats with upholstery cleaner to get rid of the water stains.

 

It was starting to get me down a bit, spending all that money and still getting wet. That "Seek & Seal" did the trick. (thanks Leonard) I know that its not supposed to need any sealer, but the seals never seem to go back and fit as tight up against the metal as the original ones.

 

Cheers,

 

John