crod

I am looking for my next perfect Corvette. In doing so I have heard that convertibles leak. For those of you that have had a C5 convertible, is it common for them to leak?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

hyperv6

It mostly comes down to how good the seals and roof are and how aligned the windows are.

Most leaks are at the windows and roof. The window get play and does not seal properly. Also the gaskets get dry if you do not treat them.

Also damage to the roof can cause leaks be it a hole or even a geeked frame on the roof.

Roof need treated about once a year to keep the cloth in shape and should always be store up and never lowered wet.

So no it is not normal for a leak if everything is correct but there are things you need to do to keep them correct.

FYI there are no perfect Corvettes or any other car. Given time they all can have an issue some place.


As for the C5 if it is right it is not common to leak. But can they leak yes.

ztheusa

I bought my first Corvette in 1967, and have owned MANY since then. ALL Corvettes leak to some extent.

rrwirsi

The only leak I have had in my Vert over the 7 years of ownership is the rear window becoming partially detached. As others have noted, treat all the rubber moldings with appropriate lubricant. I use dielectric grease.

yellow2007

My 2000 vert does not leak at all. I've driven it thru a car wash and dry as a bone. As has been stated here maintenance is the key.

killain

If I wash my 03 convertible and the hose is directed at the sides windows, I'll get a tiny amount on the inside glass and door sill ( Both my last C5 a 2003 Coupe ) did the same thing. But overall the convertible tops don't leak much at all. And I believe the convertible top are very sound proof to a great extent.

grinder11

Agree with killain. One thing that I think helps is: When I park my car in the garage, I release the latch partially on the passenger side, and totally on my side. That way, the weatherstripping isn't always compressed, and if I do forget to latch the top (hasn’t happened yet!), the partially released latch will hold it until I can pull over and latch completely. Works for me....

schmuckingham

Mine was parked with the top latched and the windows up for years in a temperature controlled building and it is tight as a drum. Cant say that is the solution or if I got lucky but that is my experience.

When I bought it and detailed it I made sure to treat all the rubber with regards to the top.

Robert Barcus

I have been under the impression that if your Corvette doesn't leak then it's not a convertible.

hyperv6

Mine is a new top and most of the gaskets are new. The windows also were adjusted properly.

The greatest leak is that the windows are not adjusted on the seals. Often a simple adjustment fixes that.

Burnt C6

Only when it rains and since Corvettes melt in the rain you will never drive it in the rain.

Seriously though. When I picked mine up last year I drove it home in a big storm. Driving rain and absolutely no water of any kind in the car. If the wearther striping / seals are good there is no need to worry.

c5arlen

This Vette has 20 years and dose not leak water.. Never has. It lives in the Pacific Northwest, where it occasionally dose rain. It continues to commute every year to Palm Springs... The top is dry and tight as a drum... Of course I take care of it. Snooze and you loose.

DDaaryl

Owned a 2002 vert for 9 years. No leaks until the hurricane flooded my garage and the water almost reached the top of the windshield.

grinder11

Now THAT REALLY sucks. Sorry this happened....

Cfive4life

What kind of adjustment? I have a new top and every seal is brand new. They were installed by a VERY reputable guy who does cars for Concours events.

I STILL have a leak at the top where the A-pillar meets the top. There's a small space between the window glass and the seals where the water comes in.

What further adjustment can I make?

Alley Oop

I drive a 2002 vert. It has the original top. I have on occasion driven it in the rain. No leaks, dry as a bone.

Cfive4life

Like that's helpful.

grinder11

I have a 2000 Vert. Original top and weatherstripping. Yes, once in a great while when caught in a downpour, it drips a bit from the top, in the middle of the window. Maybe 1 drip per mile. It is almost 24 years old, after all. One thing that may help you out is I always store my car with the top up, with only one side partially latched. My feeling is this doesn't compress the weatherstripping so much. That and using dielectric/silicone grease on the rubber. FWIW....

Cfive4life

grinder11 - I appreciate that. I will try the dielectric grease

1972bluelt1

I once got caught in a rain storm, with the top down, coming home from Effingham in my C4. We rolled up the windows and folder the visors down. I intended to stop under a bridge and put the top up,
but with no water coming I drove out of the rain.