Soft top leak question

SoCalJK · 02-08-2010, 09:11 AM

My soft top has started leaking over both front doors. The water comes in right over the door handles. This only happens when it is parked on a flat. Parking with the nose downhill or driving there are no problems.

Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, how did they resolve it. I had it in at the dealer and they replaced the header seal but it made no difference. Will be taking it back tomorrow but would like to give them some pointers so that It doesn't become a daily occurance.

**nwbronco** · 02-08-2010, 10:11 AM

Mine leaks on driver's side same place though. Right on the door handle. Soft top and half doors. Strip of .25" weatherstrip along the top edge where the door seal meets the soft top cures it for a couple of months. I think the next thing would be to replace the door weatherstripping.

Bob

SoCalJK · 02-08-2010, 10:17 AM

Thanks Bob

That was my thought as well. Since I still have a few days left under warranty I'll see if they can replace the weather stripping. If not then I'll go this route.

NWrunr · 02-08-2010, 10:19 AM

I have the exact same problem. They replaced the header seal...both door seals...and it still leaks! Then they found a way out and claimed i must have drove my jeep through a drive through car wash and it wont be covered any further...then my warranty expired anyway. My Jeep was bought as a used rental car from Hawaii with 12k miles on it. I am thinking they looked the VIN up and saw what it was and assumed it had been through the car wash back then. I got tired of the crap and was lucky enough to find a brand new top and all of the parts on ebay for $499. It should be here this week. The current top wasnt taken care of very well by Hertz in Hawaii, but the rest of the Jeep is great!!

bassin · 02-08-2010, 12:41 PM

Welcome to the club SoCAL. Mine has been to the dealer 8 times for the same problem. They have agreed to put a hard top on in order to stop the leak. Got a call from the dealer saying they would have the top in in April. I'm thinking they can take their hard top and well I'll be nice. The last fix they tried on my jeep caused more leaks then it had to start with so.

SoCalJK · 02-08-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassin

Welcome to the club SoCAL. Mine has been to the dealer 8 times for the same problem. They have agreed to put a hard top on in order to stop the leak. Got a call from the dealer saying they would have the top in in April. I'm thinking they can take their hard top and well I'll be nice. The last fix they tried on my jeep caused more leaks then it had to start with so.

Don't want a hard top. Nowhere to keep the thing and too much PITA to take off and on. Lets hope that they are able to resolve for me.

SoCalJK · 02-08-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWrunr

I have the exact same problem. They replaced the header seal...both door seals...and it still leaks! Then they found a way out and claimed i must have drove my jeep through a drive through car wash and it wont be covered any further...then my warranty expired anyway. My Jeep was bought as a used rental car from Hawaii with 12k miles on it. I am thinking they looked the VIN up and saw what it was and assumed it had been through the car wash back then. I got tired of the crap and was lucky enough to find a brand new top and all of the parts on ebay for $499. It should be here this week. The current top wasnt taken care of very well by Hertz in Hawaii, but the rest of the Jeep is great!!

For me it only started after they replaced the top. The initial top cracked where it folded and they put on a new one a few months ago. Since it has only now started to rain in SoCal I only picked up the problem now.

ctown67 · 02-08-2010, 08:38 PM

you described my top exactly. i have been messing around with the windshield gasket with only sporratic luck. rainy season is coming here, so i will need to come up with something.

Avian · 02-08-2010, 09:10 PM

Mine leaks like a sieve in the same spot. Its been to the dealer twice for it, and they have only made it worse. I end up just removing my carpet in the months where its above freezing (so the carpet doesnt get moldy) and dealing with it.

The 2010 models have a totally new top design in that area. I think they finally took a hint something isnt right with the 07-09 design.

Jordon83 · 02-09-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NWrunr

I have the exact same problem. They replaced the header seal...both door seals...and it still leaks! Then they found a way out and claimed i must have drove my jeep through a drive through car wash and it wont be covered any further...then my warranty expired anyway. My Jeep was bought as a used rental car from Hawaii with 12k miles on it. I am thinking they looked the VIN up and saw what it was and assumed it had been through the car wash back then. I got tired of the crap and was lucky enough to find a brand new top and all of the parts on ebay for $499. It should be here this week. The current top wasnt taken care of very well by Hertz in Hawaii, but the rest of the Jeep is great!!

There is nothing (that I have read) in the owners manual that says auto car washes void the warranty. I had the same leak and got a new soft top.

bassin · 02-09-2010, 08:01 AM

the words "Raise Hell" mean anything lol

SilvRSpeedX3 · 02-09-2010, 09:29 AM

Mine has had the problem off and on depending on how I park and also I have tried the nylon washer trick which seems to work for a little while (dealer mentioned it to me after i found it on here) and I have been told that i put it on wrong and then tell them to do and it still leaks. I have had it in the shop about 5 times, they have adjusted the doors, replaced the weatherstriping twice, the header seal twice, and the foam kit on the door surrounds twice. Now its not too bad so im going to try the washer trick again and also put my own weather stripping on aswell to finish it up and see what happens. But im to the point where i give up and am just leaving with whatever it does lol

bassin · 02-09-2010, 09:32 AM

have not heard of the washer thing I' m like you I'm tired of messing with it. I think I'm goin to get the silicone and go crazy LOL.

SoCalJK · 02-09-2010, 10:13 AM

Can someone please post what the nylon washer thing is.

SilvRSpeedX3 · 02-09-2010, 10:24 AM

check in this thread i think its here

Dealer fixed my soft top leak.... - JK-Forum.com - The Ultimate Jeep JK Wrangler Bulletin Board

or

http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=54794&highlight=soft+top+leak+fix

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f96/leaky-soft-top-yes-ive-searched-782743/