355 spider leaks

Have a 1997 355 spider and a 1994 348 spider. The 348 leaks a bit. Don't know about the 355 as of yet! Both owners manuals state it is normal for the cars to leak! Only Ferrari would actually make such a statement!

 

My 348 ts leaks like an old wooden sailing ship.

Carry towels in the car, and don't drive in the rain.

 

Changing the seals might not help because they aren't shaped to properly fill the gap. I had to take black marine silicon (in a hand-squeezed tube) to "shape" the door/window-side rubber such that there was no longer an open hole to the outside on each side of my 348 spider.

After that, no leaks...and I drive it in the rain.

NOTE: the tops of the windows are fine, don't add sealer up there because the convertible top laps over the windows already to provide a little ledge. Just do the side-rubber where it is supposed to meet the side of the windows.

 

My 348 used to leak fairly badly around the tops of the windows. However I tightened up the roof by adjusting the clamps where the roof meets the top of the windscreen which has stretched it a bit tighter and since then its been a lot better

 

Duh... There is a really simple fix for that. Don't drive it in the rain. Mine doesn't leak at all.....

 

Gaskets do compress with age. New may or may not help. My car used to leak a bit at the A pillars. I noticed there is a drain hole that runs down the A pillar gasket. I purchased some rigid plastic tubing in about 1/4" diameter and pushed it down the hole. It swelled the gasket enough that it fits tightly now.

 

I drove my 1997 355 spider in the rain a few times and it did not leak at all.... !

 

My 98 spider doesn't leak either when its out in the rain. However, it has not been in a downpour.

Theo

 

Do the owner's manuals really state that leaks are expected, from a brand new car????

In the process of searching for a 348 spyder, and aware of many of the potential foibles, but that just astounds me...

 

You can adjust the window stops inside the door if there is a gap at the top, Scott

 

From the F355 spider owner's manual:
Caution

The loads and the strains-varying depending on the car utilization-can determine small variations in the door positioning in the soft top framework.

Due to the above reasons, the sealing, due to water or air infiltrations from the windows, cannot be guaranteed in all utilization conditions.

It's clear that small infiltrations in some areas can be considered normal.

The car shouldn't be washed in automatic washing systems, as these could damage the cloth or the plexiglass( rear window) due to brush rubbing.

The high pressure of the jets can also cause some infiltrations that wouldn't be found in standard utilization conditions.

 

Mine has leaked when I have been caught in heavy rain. Quite normal I think

 

Thanks! I'll try that, mine leaks up top. Even though I don't drive in the rain I notice the leaks when I wash the car..

 

Mine leaks too...

 

Mine does not leak at all.

And I have driven in a couple times in a torrential PNW downpour!

 

i have a 94 348 spyder and have got caught in a hale storm no leakes and no dents (amazing)

 

In 2010 a few drops came in ... but in the meantime I got my roof checked and serviced. But not for leaking, just for typical 355 Spider roof issues
:/
Got into heavy rain last week - even with some hail in it (I was so !"§$!"§) - but that was no problem at all.
The biggest water leak was the door when I had to open it.

 

Caught in downpour and drivers side carpet is soaked. I've dried it best I can with towels and have a fan blowing on it. I figure on leaving the fan on for hours if not a couple days. Ohio very humid this time of year. Any other suggestions to thoroughly dry it?

 

WOW I have not had my roof up since last time it rained, 2 years ago

When I fist got the car I dont remember any real leaks

Don't forget to condition the canvas to deal out water

 

I had the same issue - getting caught in moderate/heavy rain, water coming in from the forward window/roof line.

Taking a tip from Wheeler Dealers (Aston DB7 fix), I slid some thin vacuum line down into the door gasket. It's been a year & I haven't been caught in heavy rain yet, but light rain & car washing and it seems to hold up.

 

Mine leaks when there is a 50% chance of rain...it's a super low mileage pristine example of a 355 spider...is what it is. I never take it out in the rain, mainly bc it kills the point, but have been caught in a storm...not good.