348 Rain Issues

I'm looking to buy a 348 and would appreciate any feedback about roof/window leaks in the rain.

I assume the Spyder would be most susceptible to leaks (based on previous threads), but what about a (G)TS or (G)TB?

My 308 GTS leaks around the front driver window.

Also, any ignition/engine problems due to rain?

The reason I ask is the car will be my daily driver (parked outside) in Florida.

Thanks,

Rob

 

Heavy rain while parked may be a problem.

Although driving in the rain is not. Done it a few times and not had any problems that I know of.

And my GTB did not leak anywhere.


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My 348ts leaks pretty easily around the top of the windows and the front of the targa top. If I were going to have one outside in WPB I would definitely go for the TB. Make sure you get a decent car cover, the sun is too much for the paint on these cars.

BT

 

Hi angelis,

Thank you for your reply.

When you say "Heavy rain while parked may be a problem." do you mean leaks or engine electrical?

Hi BT,

Thank you for your reply.

Have you been caught in any Florida downpours?

Any engine/electrical problems.

Thank's for the car cover suggestion.

Rob

 

My leaks like a wooden sailing ship. Really, I could raise goldfish inside the passenger compartment during a rainy day. I love the 348 as much as the rest of the brothers, but trust me... it leaks like there's no tomorrow!!

Make sure to put some aluminium pedals in the car... at least they won't rust when the water gushes in! (wink)

 

oh yeah... BUY a 348 and join the brotherhood!! We're a scrappy bunch. Just ask Ernie.

 

For the first year that I had my car I don't think I ever went for an outing WITHOUT getting rained on. Some pretty heavy downpours both while driving (with the top off and on) and parked. The heaviest rain was at a Father's Day car show in Boca when it rained about 2 inches in 20 minutes. I have never had any engine electrical problem from the rain, just some leaks that I keep a small rag in the car to soak up. As long as you don't mind the 80's style water leaks, the ts is very fun. If I were leaving the car outside I would go for the GTB I think. The only electrical problems I have had were a melted fuse for the A/C blower, and one burned out tail light.

BT

 

Ferrari's and rain, are like water and oil, they don't mix. Unless you are planning on causing electrical problems for yourself keep it out of the rain.

 

I haven't had the water affect my electrical system yet. It is probably because I always drive it after it is in the rain, or if I just washed it. I think having the engine dry itself out after getting soaked is good practice.
BT

 

Doesn't it rain, like every afternoon in Florida?

 

Normally, yes. This year, however, is very dry. We are currently over 10 inches below normal for the year. I busted up my yard sprinklers bringing dirt and heavy equiment in for the garage addition we are doing, and had a yard that looked like dry hay until this week, when we finally got some rain. I knew it would rain at the worst possible time, so I had the carpenters open up the roof for the truss tie-in, and voila, three days of rain! I think our normal is about 48 inches of rain per year, but we have had rain of over 20 inches in one month several times.

BT

 

I don't think I could "daily drive" a 348, at least not with a backup car or truck, just in case.

 

I have a '94 Spider and have driven it in the rain. I find that she seems to be better sealed at speed, when I stop, I notice that a few drips will be inside genereally the passenger side window.

I have not had any ingnition problems in the rain.

 

Make sure the doors are open when you roll up the windows when possible. I actually pull on the top of the window as it raises to the top and I get the window higher, at least 1/4 inch or more. It makes a tighter seal with the roof when you do. So far, not a drop.

 

Werd! I did the same thing. Raising the windows with the doors open will definitely help. For me, the bric-a-brac-jack window accelerator solved the problem of pulling the windows up by hand during the last few centimeters.

 

Seems to me I read in the owners' manual that it leaks.

 

Driven in the rain a lot with my 348 spider - both top up and down. A little leak on the front of the driver's side window when in slow or stopped traffic. Less rain/leaks when driving with the top down in the rain. Haven't tried the window up with the door open trick yet.

I would never keep a 348 outside, but we get over 100" of rain a year here though.

Only one driving light burnt out in 1.5 yrs - not likely rain related.

 

Mine has never seen the rain.
Darryl
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I've had my 348 Spider for a year and a half, putting 1,000 miles a month on her as a daily driver. I've driven through a Florida hurricane. She's been parked in the rain, driven in the rain, and washed about once every other month or so.

I don't have any leaks. Of course, when I first bought the car there were **GAPS** in a couple of the seals for the top where it meets the side of the windows, but a little clear sealant fixed that (oh my gosh, 20 minutes of effort and a non-OEM fix, somebody jail me!).

I've put Stabilant 22a (check with daniel at Jack Russel Racing above) on **all** of my engine compartment connections, and my spark plug wires have the dielectric grease on both ends, as well as made certain that my spark plug wire caps are mounted tight down onto my engine.

Ernie's car is great looking (post above about no rain) but he's got no plastic covers over his tail lights and no Stabilant 22a anywhere, so rain might be getting in on *his* 348 (lots of weight-savings on his car, too, I suspect).

You can put a little vaseline onto your rubber door/window/top seals as a temporary test to see if new seals (or some clear sealant) would stop any small leaks on your 348, too.