[lordy]

So we had some heavy, persistent rain starting 2pm Saturday, continuous until 9 ish Sunday morning. As we were going out for a walk this morning, I had a quick look through the windows of the Eos. On each side of the car, on the little 'shelf' that is at shoulder level if you were sitting in the backseats, was a 10 pence piece sized blob of water. Directly above this spot there is a seal which runs from front to back and at the point of overlap with another seal, I could feel where the water had dripped from. Now the car is on a slope, pointing upwards, so obviously the water has tracked down from somewhere. I checked the boot, all dry. Everywhere else seems dry also.

I noticed that the seals are quite hard, and I believe they should be supple. Rather than return the car to the garage, I would rather krytox the seals myself, which I hope may also solve the 'shimmying' noise coming from the rear window (sounds like a plastic bag rustling when going over bumps).

I would welcome others opinions on this. I personally think two snots of water after nearly eighteen hours of rain is acceptable, and the less the roof is messed with the better.

I dont really want to use my krytox wipes for this after only a week, so my thinking is to try and get some krytox out of the garage, and do it myself.

As ever, your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Howler]

Hi - I know exactly the prob you are talking about....
I have had the same issue in the past - only a couple of times I have to say.
I did the Krytox thing on the seals about a 3 months ago and have not had a problem since - but keep a watch out for it.
It also stopped the noises you refer to....but may have to do it again soon as getting a few "rattles" when going over bumps etc.

It has not developed into a problem for me...just an annoying thing to watch for in heavy rain or when hosing it down after washing.

Its the only problem area I have had in 9 months.....no other leaks!!

Hope this helps...I'd recommend a quick run round with some krytox....doesnt take long if you download/print the instructions posted elsewhere on the site.
ENJOY - hopefully the weather will get better soon!

 

[lordy]

Thank you for that Howler. I'll give it a quick going over with some Krytox. This is the first convertible I've owned so I need to change my mindset from thinking that a rattle, creak or squeak is not a problem, but something to be expected with such a complex, heavy roof mechanism.

 

[SiJ2000]

I agree that the seals shouldn't be hard, but they don't get soft either... They are just pliable if that makes sense!!

Do lubricate them, but I agree that a certain level of water ingress is fine and normal, especially considering the amount and power of the rain we had Sat night....

 

[lordy]

Just ordered some krytox GPL 105 from these people -

http://www.gbrtech.co.uk

I don't know whether they have been mentioned elsewhere in the forum, but they are much cheaper than going through your dealer. £16 per bottle, (30ml?) same as supplied by vw dealers, minimum order of two bottles. It is also available in the gel or spray form.

Very helpful, packaged and sent today.

 

[JO W]

This is where my car is leaking too. However i don't accept that a certain amount of leaking is acceptable, i have friends with the peugeot and vauxhall cc and neither of them have a problem with leaking and don't have to keep lubricating seals either.

 

[lordy]

Quick update. Finally managed to get around to lubing the seals. Krytoxed as much as I could on Thursday. Absolutely threw it down overnight and this morning. No leaks. Drove over to Chester today to potter about, managed to get topless for about an hour. Been throwing it down here for a few hours now,just been out to check, the spot of water is back, but only on the drivers side. When it dries out, I'll give the drivers side seals another going over.

As far as shimmying noise is concerned. It's still there, but not when there's someone sat in the back. This makes me think it could be the rear seats, or perhaps to do with the folding piece of cloth which covers the roof mechanicals where the c-pillar would be. hhmmmm.......

 

[boac69]

I traced a shimmying noise to the ski flap plastic panel, a couple of stick on felt pads - job done

 

[lordy]

Thank you Graeme. I'll try that.

 

[lordy]

Took the cushioned part of the hatch out and dropped the plastic bit down. No change still there.

 

[glib]

what is krytox ?

 

[BobP]

what is krytox ?

Lots of threads about this. Try http://www.vweosclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1149
VW generally won't know anything about Krytox by that name. It's probably not a good idea to try and source Krytox elsewhere as it has lots of variants that might not be what you need for the seals - but then again VW charge a lot for their Krytox based fluid

 

[lordy]

I've mentioned it somewhere higher up the thread, but I got mine from these people http://www.gbrtech.co.uk

They have exactly the same stuff, ie Krytox GPL 105. They also include a handy information sheet confirming it's make up is the same as recommended by VW.

 

[lordy]

Sorry for double post. Where I have got my leak, the water has left an oily water mark on the plastic. Obviously the a bit of lubricant from the seal has dripped down and left a mark as the water has dried out.

Does anyone know the best way of getting this off? I was thinking either white spirits or a drop of washing up liquid.

 

[GOgg]

Washing up liquid will be the safest.

Cheers

 

[Stephb]

i decided to wash him today no leaks thank god but i did notice my roof seals was a bit dry are they supposed to be like that??

Steph xxx

 

[GOgg]

Yes they are dry but they should be soft and supple. The problems start when they start to look a bit chalky / white on the surface. Thats when to get then cleaned (I use lighter fluid and cotton buds) then put the Krytox on sparingly.

Cheers

 

[lordy]

Well ive checked all the seals again, leak still there. I think the shimmering noise is coming from where the rear window sits on the deck. I'm wondering whether the plastic trim on the inside of the curved chrome strip is loose, and the fuzzy seal is causing the noise.

As I've done all I reasonably can, I've booked it in with the dealer to have a look at next week. Need it for three days to investigate the leak.

 

[tishysmith]

Hope it is only 3 days for you lordy. Mine ended up staying for 4 1/2 weeks! Leaks have gone though now. Fingers crossed.

Trish

 

[lordy]

Thanks Trish, fingers crossed. I must say, I am absolutely loving the car. I seem to be getting obsessed with the weather forecast, and find myself switching on the interactive forecast on Sky News whenever I turn the TV on. Got to make the most of those sunny days.

First day back to work this morning after time off. Bright sunny morning. 5 deg on the dashboard. Roof down, deflector up. Heaters on. Beautiful.

I'm looking out the window now hoping it will stay dry for the journey home.

As for the leak and rattle. Well, I'm not too worried about it. I guess it gives me chance to try out the standard of VW service at my supplying dealer before deciding whether they can service it or not.