Don't forget your towels if you drive your 348 in the rain | FerrariChat

Don't forget your towels if you drive your 348 in the rain

Discussion in '348/355' started by dahveedem, May 8, 2012.

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  1. dahveedem

    dahveedem Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2012
    1,586
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    David
    No wonder the previous owner didn't drive in the rain.

    After searching the forums --- seems I need to keep a set of colour matched towels in the car if I decide to take it out in the rain again.

    Anyone replace the seals on their targa top and have any luck keeping out the water?

    Sorry gotta ask... :)

    David
     
  2. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

    Feb 18, 2009
    1,763
    Norman, OK
    Full Name:
    Todd Cannon
    I have not replaced my seals but I have not had any leaks in the rain or when washing. The only time I get a trickle of water down the inside of the window is when I spray the door near the seal directly on it. I don't know if I am lucky or this is normal. I have heard of others having issues with leaking tops.
     
  3. troy_wood

    troy_wood Formula 3

    Apr 28, 2007
    1,457
    Nova Scotia, Canada
    Full Name:
    Troy Wood
    It's on my todo list of things to fix. Most leak.
     
  4. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,213
    Behind a drum kit
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    Mr. Chupacabra
    Not out of the ordinary. Of course, I don't think ANY T-tops or targas of this vintage are particularly great at keeping water out. Heck, my Trans-Am was band new when I got it and it leaked from day one.

    All of my seals look and feel great, so I'm not sure switching them out would have much effect, but maybe I'm wrong. I just don't drive it in the rain :)
     
  5. tcannon

    tcannon Formula 3

    Feb 18, 2009
    1,763
    Norman, OK
    Full Name:
    Todd Cannon

    +1
     
  6. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued

    #6 BLAMPEE, May 8, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
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    The Bad Guy
    David,

    You just need to adjust the latches on your top. You probably have too much shimming. It's really easy to tighten the fit of the top. Just loosen the four allen screws on the latches, then remove the desired amount of shims to get the top to latch more firmly. Give that a whirl.
     
  8. dahveedem

    dahveedem Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2012
    1,586
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    David
    Ernie,

    I'll give that a try. However, the darn thing is pretty tight at this point -- to the point of semi-deforming the rubber up near the front windshield. Which I thought might be the location of the leak --- running under that section. However, it seems to be leaking back a little farther than that... I'll take some pics of it tonight and indicate the location of the leak.

    I normally wouldn't take her out in the rain on purpose but I wanted to get the inspection done and figured if I take her away for a weekend, she's liable to get in the rain anyhow.

    While it wasn't a downpour, I'd like to get it limited and have a mere drip.

    David
     
  9. troppoveloce

    troppoveloce Formula Junior

    Jan 25, 2006
    268
    New Hampshire
    Full Name:
    Tom
    I love that color... just had to say.
    Is it Tour de France?
     
  10. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued

    Yep.

    And it's currently listed for sale on this site. ;)
     
  11. terry61

    terry61 Rookie

    May 17, 2011
    29
    I drove from Raleigh, NC to Arlington VA, 4hours, in a raging downpour (had no choice)...no leaks. When I got the car I noticed that part of the front seal on the top was "folded over". I check it and move it to its correct position each time I put the top back on. It's close to being "trained" to seat properly.

    Terry
     
  12. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Mine used to leak like an old wooden sailing ship in the rain. New seals somewhat solved the problem.... but still, driving in the rain was so unpleasant, it wasn't worth it anyway.
     
  13. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
    1,496
    UK
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    Jeff
    #13 348Jeff, May 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 348 leaks quite bad I'm afraid - don't really use it in the rain and when I wash it I'm careful not to spray the area with a hose and also put cloths down on the seat bolsters before starting. All seems to be down to a poor fitting seal at the leading edge - its almost as if its been assembled wrong :-(
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  14. dahveedem

    dahveedem Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2012
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    #14 dahveedem, May 9, 2012
    Last edited: May 9, 2012

    Wow, mine aren't that bad. Stock was a black top right? Maybe when the painted it they altered the seals. But you are right something looks amiss.

    mine has p-zero shoes on her, so the leak coupled with piss-poor wet traction, I'll only drive her if I'm away for a weekend and get caught in the rain. :D

    David
     
  15. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2001
    25,364
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    WJHMH
    #15 WJHMH, May 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. terry61

    terry61 Rookie

    May 17, 2011
    29
    Jeff
    Looks like you are missing part of the lower weatherstripping on the t-top.
     
  17. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
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    Jeff
    I'll take some better pics today and post them up - as mentioned top used to be black but was painted red (grrrr!) and Ive always suspected seals were no put back right as front of lid doesnt sit rigt either - would love to get it sorted!

    Id put the car outside to get a pic but its raining like a goodun!!! LOL :-(
     
  18. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2008
    582
    Belzium
    Full Name:
    Frank
    Only a small towel needed for sweat drops in my 348GTB
    Sorry
     
  19. dahveedem

    dahveedem Formula 3

    Mar 12, 2012
    1,586
    Maryland
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    David
    Braggart!!!! ;)
     
  20. tamf328

    tamf328 Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2005
    477
    I nice strong thunder storm would put a 1/4 inch of water in a targa top 348 with 19k miles on it I had one.
    Adjusting helps, but if it leaks, it will continue no matter what I suspect.

    355 spider doesn't leak even when in the driving rain.
     
  21. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
    1,496
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    Jeff
    #21 348Jeff, May 11, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. Nosevi

    Nosevi Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2011
    1,990
    Lincoln
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Hi Jeff. Looks to me like your roof isn't being pulled down properly by the clamps as the seals aren't aligned, ie the ones on the car aren't in line with the ones on the roof. Mine's not perfect but it's a lot closer. Had to adjust the clamps in order to get it closer. Mine's a colour coded roof so will try to get a snap later today.
     
  23. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
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    Jeff
    #23 348Jeff, May 12, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think its actually the rubberry bit that sticks out too far back and for some curious reason cant be forced forward any further???!!!

    I've taken a pic of the faulty side and used photoshop to mirror it round so it can be easily compared with the good side - notice how it sticks too far back - it just ends up getting trapped and stops the lid going all the way down.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  24. Nosevi

    Nosevi Formula 3

    Jul 8, 2011
    1,990
    Lincoln
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    Pete
    Got to confess, even the good side doesn't quite look clamped down. Mine doesn't have the extra rubbery bits, guess they're missing. Get the odd drip in but not too much. Will get a pic to you in a bit, got to get her out of the carcoon first. Will get back to you. Btw, had to add a couple of washers to the camping mechanism on one side on mine to get the roof fully clamped, guess they just give a bit with age.
     
  25. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
    1,496
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    Jeff
    just to clarify the lid in the pics is not clamped down - its just resting on top - if you clamp it down its not so clear what the difference is as it all gets squashed - its just to illustrate one side is different from other.
     

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