Wind noise with top UP | FerrariChat

Wind noise with top UP

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by mjc_123, May 29, 2012.

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  1. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    Hi, I will bring the car into the dealer this week but wanted to poll the group first. I noticed this actually on the day of delivery but was too overwhelmed with other things to mention it. With the top UP and the cabin enclosed, at low speeds, it feels like a normal coupe car and is noise free. However, at around 50mph, I start to hear wind turbulence noise that I think is coming from between one or more of the seams of the folding roof. It gets louder as I drive faster and is quite distracting. This is my first convertible and I imagine a soft top might have more of these issues, but I did not imagine this would occur with a hard top. Do I have a fault somewhere or is this normal?? Thanks for your collective experience...
     
  2. Traveller

    Traveller F1 Veteran

    Apr 10, 2009
    6,323
    UK
    Full Name:
    Tim
    Does not sound right to me. I did not really notice any wind noise on my Cali except that you would expect from a fixed head. Sounds like a dealer visit to me and probably best to take a mechanic for a drive to demonstrate.
     
  3. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    Hi, thanks. That's what I suspected. I plan to visit the dealer this week to sort things out.
     
  4. RickLederman

    RickLederman F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2007
    2,837
    Swanton Ohio
    Full Name:
    Rick Lederman
    Yep, a problem. Both of mine have been quite wind noise free at 50 MPH ... even 80 MPH ... it starts to get more wind noise above 110 I think but never too bad, the engine noise always is much louder and much prettier! It would be very interesting to see where the noise is coming from.

    Rick
     
  5. mtarvydas

    mtarvydas Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2011
    701
    On the Mountain
    Full Name:
    Martin Tarvydas
    Interesting, the only thing I can think of is that the plastic film ( can't find the right word) on the trunk is misaligned when the back window goes down. You should see an impression of the window on the trunk when the roof is down. Does it look centered?

    FYI, 7 hours at 70+ mph last weekend and not a peep of wind noise.
     
  6. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    thanks for all the replies. this makes me more confident going in to the dealer and saying something is definitely wrong!
     
  7. ELP_JC

    ELP_JC Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2008
    1,264
    If that noise is the predominant one, then take it in. I wouldn't do it unless it really bothered me, since more often than not, cars end up with worse problems after dealers mess with the cars. At any rate, with so many rattles on this car (sport mode), I don't think a little bit of wind noise would bother me. Besides, with the now permanently opened valves (easy to do), I wouldn't hear that anyway < ha ha>. For those with wind noise, just make sure they don't translate into water leaks as well. Good luck with the repair.
     
  8. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,144
    OP, keep us posted on the dealer findings. My Cali is quiet with top up at 60 mph.
     
  9. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    ELP, I totally get your point as dealers often fix one problem only to create another. However I will take my chances with this one since the noise becomes louder with increasing speed and just sounds abnormal. My brother commented on it right away. In fact, on delivery day as the dealer was next to me while I was driving, he heard the noise and looked back for a moment.
     
  10. mtarvydas

    mtarvydas Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2011
    701
    On the Mountain
    Full Name:
    Martin Tarvydas
    You know, fingers crossed, this could be a simple fix. If it is the back window that has created the gap, all that needs to be adjusted is a sensor which is part of the roof closure process. Can you take a piece of paper and run it under the window?

    But then I am not Dr. Drew -) Just a concerned Cali citizen.
     
  11. CaliDan

    CaliDan Rookie

    Feb 21, 2012
    44
    London
    Full Name:
    Dan
    Don't get any wind noise.
     
  12. Nautilus1

    Nautilus1 Karting

    Apr 24, 2011
    224
    NYC
    No wind noise at speed. I would check it out. Is this a new development or have there been a lot of issues with the roof? Maybe I am over sensitive to the issue because of recent experience.
     
  13. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    thanks all for your replies. I will give an update after tomorrow's visit to the dealer.
     
  14. mjc_123

    mjc_123 Formula Junior

    Oct 16, 2010
    512
    NYC - Long Island
    OK, here is a quick update. The wind noise seems to be coming in from the area near the passenger side window, where the large and small windows meet. The weather strips appear intact and the window seems pressed tight against it but there is a howling noise that emanates from that region. The service foreman said they will need a few days with the car to diagnose, then attempt a correction.

    I am hesitant about proceeding with this since it does not appear to be a simple issue. I fear that with the disassembling of the door panels, roof, windows, etc that new issues may pop up. Overall, I am not too happy about this and it certainly puts a damper on what has been an otherwise thrilling experience.

    Any input and thoughts appreciated...
     
  15. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,678
    Silicon Valley
    Don't worry. They will fix it properly. Even at the factory they have to adjust these.
     
  16. SVCalifornia

    SVCalifornia F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 28, 2011
    2,570
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Keith
    Mine does the same. Dealer hasn't yet tracked it down but your description is apt...

    SV
     
  17. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,890
    There is a rubber seal between the triangle and door windows. That seal is actually hollow inside so if it breaks the outside of the seal will create wind noise above 40mph

    It happened to me on both sides of the car.

    Dealer will replace triangle window which should immediately solve problem

    Another area which can produce noise is the black plastic trim at the base of the rear window.
    This black trim strip should be firmly glued in place and not move otherwise it will make some noise too
     

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