WYTEOUT92

I am going to buy myself a C5 for my 55th birthday next year. It will live in the garage next to my 92 C4 Z07 coupe. At this point, I am thinking Z06 and I am curious what you Z owners can tell me about the leak issues with the FRC's in general and Z's specifically. I really do not want to deal with something that is leaking water into the car every time I wash it, etc. What is the reason for these leaks and is there a proven fix?
Thanks,
Steve

CHJ In Virginia

I have owned my Z for almost 8 years and NEVER have had any leaks. Car is tight and solid. I Know several other Z owners and none has ever mentioned a water problem. I would not worry about it and buy the car you want. Don't wait till ext year - prices are very reasonable right now.

WYTEOUT92

Thanks for the quick response.
yeah, I know prices are great right now, but this is the one year that I have 2 College tuition bills ($40K) so it's gonna have to wait til next year...

danziger

Never had an issue with any leaks, but I rarely wash wash with water, so who knows...

Dennis Wilson

GM Fan

Only leak issue I've heard of was when having the windshield replaced poorly/incorrectly. Not much else to leak being a hardtop? Perhaps I'm out of the loop there, never a drip from mine anyway.

imavettegirl

some leak, some don't.

mine does. :-(

PatternDayTrader

As a seasoned veteran auto tech w/12 + years exp in a chev dealership I can tell you FOR SURE that the threat of a water leak should not prevent you from buying the car (unless its an 80s camaro w/T tops) and anyone living with a water leak dosent have to.
90% of water leaks from frame-less windows can be fixed by adjusting the window stops and regulator positioning. The other 10% can be fixed by replacing the weatherstrip properly.
Dont worry bout it. Its an easy fix unless the tech working on your car dosent know what hes doing.

Ragresen

My 03 had the leak issues. I pulled and replaced the window reveal molding, but you can just pull the old one and added some dumb dumb rope just forward of the foam rubber seal on it and reseat the molding. My car has been good since the repair. Most of the cars that have had the problem only have it in heavy rains and left to sit in them. Mine never leaked from washing the car.

fisher auto

2 out of 3 for me, that have leaked! 1st one never sees water so I guess I can't count it (garage bitch)! Wouldn't stop me from buying again and again etc!

ajg1915

They leak because the hard glue used by GM when they assemble the rear roof bond and tub crack over time.

Also the window weather stripping cracks or leaks over time.

For the rear tubs I use 3M 5200 Sealant. Works like a charm. The weather stripping I just replace and use RTV or Clear silcone sealant.

WYTEOUT92

So when I start looking at them to purchase one, where should I look to see evidence of a leak or leaks?

Dave_2003_TRZ06

I would start at the headliner, it will be very evident if there was a leak. The backing will be rotten around the edges that tuck under the weatherstripping at the door. You will have to pull the weather stripping along the roof down some to get a peak at the liner. If the backing is yellowish and flakey, then it has been leaking. I would also check to see if the plastic revel molding looks cracked or broken in any places. Check the front windshield as well, make sure it is the Z06 windshield, a big hint that it's not will be a an antenna integrated into the glass. The car may have a funky odor to it as well...

~Josh

They do leak. If they don't now, they will. (Mine does in a small way, so I'm speaking from that standpoint)

The standard C5 leaks like widow angle/weatherstripping, windshield leaks, and clogged front udders (do a search) not withstanding... they can leak in the rear.... and that is mainly caused by the hard glue mentioned already. There is no way around that fact.

Also, the headliners that fail (because of rot due to leakage) are no longer available by GM or any aftermarket source at the time I've typed this.... so if you do have a need for the liner it will be from a car that's being parted out.

That being said, if it's a weekend car, the M12 transmission gear ratios and very rev-happy nature of the LS6 will keep you more than satisfied with the owner experience.... until you get the slight "stink" after leaving it outside one day after a hard rain.... and the quest to fix everything thereon.

$.02

WYTEOUT92

Wow, very interesting stuff, all. It will be kept in my garage and not driven in bad weather- intentionally anyway, but I do find washing my cars therapeutic and don't want to deal with water leaking into the interior. Will continue to do some research. Thanks for all the input.

~Josh

The weird thing is that mine doesnt leak when washing... only during heavy day long downpours. I've heard this trend as well. Most new threads about leaks begin with "we had a huge rain and the carpet is a little wet".

02EBZ06VA

Same here.

2K3Z06

My car leaks. Has since i took it home from the dealer. I had it in 3 times under warranty, they got the leak slowed down, but it still leaks. Its leaking around the drivers windows molding, and runs down the door jam and kick panel.

At the 2003 zo6 fest, we had a big rain. My car had a half inch of water in the drivers floorboard.

the trim tech said pretty much all corvettes and camaros leak. just what I wanted to hear after I spent $50,000 on the car.

my bum luck............................

2K3Z06

I would worry more about the leaking drivers half-shaft. They all do it.

That and the weak clutch/clutch hydralics.

badass7

Put me down for this Exact same thing ! Half an inch standing water on Driver floorboard after sitting parked in Rain.