Cabriolet Top Poor Seal with Window

[darrinsmith]

Hi

I am having some trouble with the cabriolet top on my 2004 turbo (yes I know this is the non-turbo forum, but I figured there are lots more non-turbo cabs than turbo cabs).

The problem is that the left hand window does not go all the way up into the seal, therefore making lots of wind noise and allowing a bit of water in.

The problem appears to be the top itself. The rain channel does not line up correctly, and there seems to be a very large gap between the 2nd and 3rd sections.

I have a '99 cab to compare it to and this car (the 04) definately seems wrong.

The car is still under Porsche warranty and has been to the dealer twice now. They have calibrated the roof, and acknowledge there is a problem but basically said unless thay can figure out what part needs replacing there's nothing they can do. They recon they've been told off by Porsche Australia before for replacing cab tops without a really good reason, and are not prepared to do so in this case.

I have included some pics, in the hope that maybe someone might be able to suggest what might be the problem.

Here you can see that the arc of the cabriolet top is not quite right.

Here is a photo showing the window not fitting correctly into the roof seal.

Here is a closeup of the gap between the first and second sections. Note they don't line up at all.

Any ideas?

Thanks

DS

[roadsession]

I don't think the problem is the roof.

The problem is that the window doesn't seem to come up high enough.

You may have a problem with the window regulator that's not raising the window properly.

[darrinsmith]

Thanks Roadsessoin,

I did some more testing this morning and you might be right.

That window does not seem to go up as high (only by a couple of mm) as the right window.

Is there an adjustment procedure for this, (I tried holding the window up button down but it seems it's at the top of it's travel).

Or does the window regulator need replacing (= another 2 trips to the dealer, one to officially diganose and then one when the parts come in an about a weeks time = 4 hours of my time wasted.)

Thanks!

DS

[1schoir]

Thanks Roadsessoin,

I did some more testing this morning and you might be right.

That window does not seem to go up as high (only by a couple of mm) as the right window.

Is there an adjustment procedure for this, (I tried holding the window up button down but it seems it's at the top of it's travel).

Or does the window regulator need replacing (= another 2 trips to the dealer, one to officially diganose and then one when the parts come in an about a weeks time = 4 hours of my time wasted.)

Thanks!

DS

Darrin:

Although I think that there is a mechanism out of adjustment inside that small section of the convertible top frame, if you want to get the window to go up a little further (thereby at least stopping the rain and reducing the wind noise), there is a relatively easy adjustment that can be done WITHOUT removing the door panel.

(This is from a 986, but I'm reasonably sure that it's the same mechanism for your car).

There are four rubber plugs located on the door bottom surface. To adjust the height of where the window stops, you must first remove (pop out) the two OUTBOARD plugs.

Then, reach through the holes with an E6 Torx driver socket and turn the screws, one at a time until you achieve the desired adjustment. To keep track of how much you have adjusted, mark the top of the window with masking tape or, preferably with a wax pencil, tracing the top surface of the window where it meets the seal at the top. There is a little more than 1/2 inch of adjustment through this method.

Note that the Torx adjustment screws are on an angle, raked back at an angle similar to the rear edge of the door. Here's a photo that should help you get oriented:

Note:

The green arrow shows the outboard plug that must be removed, at the forward part of the driver's door.

The red arrow shows the very edge of the inboard plug (which should only be used to adjust the inboard/outbard angle of the window by means of loosening and then shifting each leg of the window regulator).

The outboard ones are the ones you want to remove so that you can access the Torx screws for your particular adjustment.

The yellow arrow shows the head of one the Torx screws that you are looking for, in this photo the one on the forward leg of the window regulator frame. You have to do the same to the one on the rear leg, but again it's located above the OUTBOARD plug.

With a little patience, you should be able to minimize the wind noise and water leak.

If your dealer finds the adjustment to straighten out the fitment of the convertible top frame, please let us know.

Regards, Maurice.

[darrinsmith]

Thanks!

I have had a good look at the window, and it appears I also need to adjust the window slightly inward.

Is that what the other adjustment screws are for?

Do you have some detail for making this adjustment? Do I need to disassemble the door trim etc to do it (airbag etc...)

Thanks

DS

[1schoir]

Thanks!

I have had a good look at the window, and it appears I also need to adjust the window slightly inward.

Is that what the other adjustment screws are for?

Do you have some detail for making this adjustment? Do I need to disassemble the door trim etc to do it (airbag etc...)

Thanks

DS

Darrin:

No need to disassemble any door trim for any of these adjustments-- either height or angle.

The only parts you have to remove are the four rubber plugs on the underside of the door shell: the two OUTBOARD ones for adjusting the height, and the two INBOARD ones for adjusting the angle.

When you remove the inboard plugs, you will have access to the nut which is under each of the two legs of the window regulator: one at the front, and one at the rear.

Once you loosen those nuts, if you move the leg outboard at its bottom, that will result in moving the window glass angle slightly inboard at the top and vice versa.

This is a photo of the REAR leg of the window regulator in the driver's side door on a U.S. car (left side door). (click on it to enlarge for detail).

The red arrows are pointing to the E6 torx head screw and to the outboard plug, and show the angle at which the driver must be inserted to get to that screw (with the window in down position).

The green circle shows the top side of the stud onto which the nut is threaded from the underside. That is the nut to loosen for the adjustment to the angle of the window.

The yellow arrow points to where the edge of the inboard plug in located under the base of that leg.

Regards, Maurice.

Edited February 24, 2011 by 1schoir